Casa Kids, ages 18 to 25, who are emancipated from or currently in foster care or are probationary youth, can participate in New Directions, a transitional housing program that equips youth with the necessary skills and resources to make a successful transition from foster care to independent living. New Directions includes housing and services for emancipated or current youth in foster care who are pregnant and/or parenting.

Services

• Stable housing, furnishings and basic necessities
• Support for overall medical and mental health
• Employment, education, and career planning
• Money management
• Life skills training
• Relationship mediation
• Monthly gift cards for groceries and transportation
• Emancipation funds available upon graduation
• Optional matched savings program
• Parenting skill-building for residents with children

Program and Facility

• Started in June 2008
• Fully furnished and equipped apartments in Oceanside and San Marcos
• Housing for Casa Kids and their children

Eligibility and Fees

Clients are referred by San Diego County Child Welfare Services. Teens from Casa de Amparo’s Residential Services may be referred as well. Potential clients can self-refer by contacting New Directions to determine eligibility. Participants contribute to reduced rent on a graduated plan.

Contact

New Directions Program Manager

760-295-4600

New Directions Office

103 Rancho Del Oro Drive, Bldg. A

Oceanside, CA 92057

Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

This program maintains on-call, 24-hour emergency case management support. Office hours for advocates are flexible.

 

MEET THE TEAM!!!

The New Directions Staff consists of a Director, Housing Coordinator, Enhanced Services Therapists, and several Advocates.

What’s an Advocate? And why do I need one?

An Advocate is a strength-based word for a Case Manager. Your Advocate is for YOU! While at New Directions you will interact with your Advocate at minimum, weekly. Your Advocate will help you enroll in school, find ways to be productive, connect you with resources, transportation, assist you with household items, become your support person and operate at whatever capacity is comfortable for you. Advocates also provide individualized case management to participants that promote safety, personal wellness and resiliency and equip them with the necessary skills and resources to make a successful transition to adulthood.

Why New Directions?

New Directions Transitional Housing offers subsidized rent, educational guidance, job readiness training, access to mental and physical health care, permanency, connections to supportive adults, in-home and out-of-home life skills development, food and necessity allowance, transportation assistance, budgeting, financial literacy, parenting education, and referrals to community–based services.

What Makes New Directions Different?

New Directions is not just a housing program; with our “Steps to Success”, we provide supportive services that provide participants the opportunity to focus on gaining adaptive behavioral strategies to help them succeed in life and guide them into positive human development and parenting, as applicable. At New Directions, participants are guided in the RIGHT direction.

Remind yourself of your “Why.” This will serve as a compass when you start to lose focus.

Identify your triggers and coping mechanisms. Be aware of what triggers an emotional response and devise a plan.

Grow and be teachable. Always be ready for an opportunity. Your past may not be fair, but your future is.

Humble and positive attitude goes a long way. People are more willing to help you when you are kind.

Take action. Successful people don’t just say what they want to do, they do it.