My First Place supports current and former foster youth in securing safe housing, getting jobs and building careers, progressing in education, and building the critical life skills you need to be successful in your pursuits. Our Youth Advocates and Employment and Education Specialists partner with you to help you advance towards your own goals, providing support and guidance around:
The program is funded by Hamilton County Job & Family Services
At this time we are only contracted with Hamilton County Job & Family Services for My First Place programming. Hamilton County JFS Social Workers can make a referral on your behalf if you meet the eligibility criteria.
My First Place supports youth reach education, employment, healthy living, and housing goals. The mission of First Place is to help foster youth build the skills they need to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency and responsible adulthood. We believe that all young people in foster care have the potential to achieve long-term success in adulthood, and we envision a world where the disparities between them and the general population have been eliminated. First Place is a national leader in providing evidence-based direct support, increasing awareness, changing perceptions, and building a movement to make this vision a reality.
My First Place is a nationally-recognized education and employment program model that employs housing and case management supports to enable youth to develop a sense of permanency and build the skills they need for a successful transition to self-sufficiency.
Participants are assigned to a team of program staff, consisting of a Youth Advocate (a master’s-level social worker), an Education and Employment Specialist, and a Housing Specialist. With the support of this team, and within the program-embedded Steps to Success and Healthy Transitions frameworks, each young person works to identify, plan for, and achieve their personal long-term goals in education, employment, housing, and healthy living.
We believe that having a safe place to call home is a stabilizing factor that enables youth to focus on their education and employment goals, build community, and establish a foundation for long-term success in independent living. Therefore, as part of the My First Place program, young people receive rent-free housing in shared apartments for the duration of their time in the program.
ages 16–21
Community-based apartments for youth transitioning to adulthood, including those aging out of foster care. On-site resident manager, life coach, and case manager
ages 17–21
An Independent Living Program providing current foster youth with housing, progressing education, building career plans, and life skills. Referral-based: Hamilton county JFS only
ages 18 – 21
Our JOURNEY Housing Program offers housing to Hamilton County resident young adults who are enrolled in a JOURNEY program and have potential to live independently (IE: JOURNEY TIP or ACT Case Management programs). We have housing available in 4 local apartment complexes, 2 complexes for young men, and 2 complexes for young women. Each unit comes fully furnished and move-in ready.
ages 18–20
Providing guidance and support to former foster youth with access to housing, education, employment, and physical/mental health wellness. Refer through bridgestosuccess.jfs.ohio.gov/
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