Residential Services for Adolescents

At some point, all young adults must make the transition from dependence to self-sufficiency. But what happens to teens that don't have nurturing parents or other adults as role models? Who can teach them the basic life skills they’ll need to live independently? With low self-expectations and lacking the know-how to improve their environment, these teens are at risk of ending up on the streets—homeless.

To provide safe and stable environments for these young adults, CFCS created our Transition to Independent Living program. Our TIL homes give teens that have had a shaky start a health space where they can develop the confidence to live independently and become contributing members of the community. Residents are referred to the TIL program by DCF, local Cambridge shelters and public schools.

The programs provide transitional housing and related services to adolescents ages 16-20 who are in DCF care but are “aging out.” The young adults learn crucial life skills such as how to seek and hold a job, how to manage money, how to develop healthy living habits, and ultimately, how to live independently. All residences are fully staffed 24 hours a day by trained CFCS social workers and direct care workers.

Additionally, CFCS runs post TIL homes, our Independent Living program. This program provides transitional housing and related services to young adults ages 17-22 who are at risk of homelessness. Although residents do not have to be in DCF care, some are. Others are referred to the program by Cambridge shelters and other local programs. While in residence, adolescents are offered a safe, structured, staff-supervised setting where they can complete school or training, secure a job and find permanent housing. Young adults from our TIL programs who have demonstrated necessary independent living skills may move on to this less supervised and structured setting while completing college or training before becoming self-sufficient.

All residential programs are fully staffed by trained direct-care providers who offer counseling and support for the teens while teaching life skills including household and money management, conflict resolution, personal health care, and the use of community services. Through weekly group skill-building sessions, young people increase their self-reliance, develop greater self-esteem, and ultimately become better prepared for success with school, work and relationships.