FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JACKSON, MS (September 5, 2024) — First Place for Youth, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, announced today the expansion of its nationally-recognized My First Place™ program to Hattiesburg and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This expansion will provide safe, stable housing and wraparound support to 30 transition-age foster youth (aged 18-21) as they transition to independent adulthood.

This expansion builds on First Place’s work in Mississippi for over six years, where it has provided financial literacy training and amplified foster youth voices. The organization’s efforts have led to policies and legislation that remove barriers and create opportunities for foster youth to thrive as they transition to adulthood.

“We are thrilled to bring our My First Place program to Mississippi, where we have already made significant policy advancements to remove barriers to self-sufficiency for foster youth,” said Thomas Lee, CEO of First Place for Youth. “This new brick-and-mortar location will provide a supportive and empowering environment for young people as they transition to independence. The first 30 youths in our supportive housing program are just the beginning. We’re excited to expand to offer housing and wrap-around services to more young people in the state.”

Participants in the My First Place program will have their own homes, allowing them to build a sense of community while focusing on developing healthy living skills and progressing towards their education and employment goals. With support from dedicated staff members, youth will identify educational objectives and gain experience in jobs and apprenticeships that build pathways to living wages and high-growth careers.

This expansion is made possible through a strong partnership with the Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services (MDCPS) and the Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative, reflecting a shared commitment to improving outcomes for foster youth across the state.

“The transition to adulthood is one of the most pivotal times for youth in foster care. We want our youth to leave custody prepared for adulthood with the tools they need,” shares Andrea Sanders, Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services Commissioner. “Programs like My First Place allow our youth to step into adulthood in a safe, supported environment and build skills that strengthen their potential. We are excited to partner with First Place to serve youth in south Mississippi.”

First Place for Youth has been supporting transition-age foster youth since 1998. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area, the innovative program has served more than 11,000 young people across six states. In addition to direct support, the organization has worked tirelessly to enact extended foster care at the federal level and improve outcomes nationwide.

For six years, First Place has operated youth-serving programs in Mississippi, including the Mississippi Youth Voice Council and the Jim Casey Youth Initiative Opportunity Passport Program. This work, amplifying young people’s voices, has led to significant policy changes in the state, including:

1. Effectively pushing for the passage of the Kinkade FAITH Scholarship which allows all Mississippi foster youth who were in MDCPS custody to access state-administered job training programs, community college, or 4-year institute of higher-learning (college or university) with a full cost-of-attendance scholarship.
2. Successfully advocating for laws to allow those aged 18 and older to sign leases, rental agreements, receive property as inheritance, own a home, and secure utility services to increase access to safe and stable housing.
3. Envisioning and designing a robust foster care continuum for transition age youth and that informed a comprehensive state plan submitted to the federal Children’s Bureau for approval and Title IV-E funding for expanded programming, in partnership with the MDCPS and key stakeholders from across the state.
4. Setting up tax credits to developers and management companies that rent to youth aged 18-24 years old, in partnership with Mississippi Home Corp.
5. Developing an objective fiscal analysis of the costs of offering a robust and comprehensive extended foster care program to all eligible Mississippi youth, in partnership with the Jim Casey Foundation and the state of Mississippi.

Catherine Lester, Associate Director with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, emphasized the importance of these efforts: “Creating policies and practices in partnership with young people,

system leaders, and community is the driving force behind the Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative. We know that young people who have spent time in foster care need relationships, resources, and opportunities to thrive and ensure their well-being. This program is one way that Mississippi is making significant strides in supporting transition-age foster youth.”

First Place for Youth looks forward to welcoming foster youth into their new homes by November 2024, marking a new chapter in supporting Mississippi’s transition-age foster youth. The organization aims to expand its services to more youth across the state in the coming years, continuing its mission to empower foster youth to build the skills necessary for long-term success.

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About First Place for Youth

First Place for Youth is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood. By providing comprehensive programs and services, including housing, education, employment, and support, First Place empowers foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and achieve their full potential.

About Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services

Mississippi Department of Child Protective Services strives to keep Mississippi’s children safely in their own families and communities. When that is not possible, they are committed to finding permanency for children as quickly as possible. They intend to become a place to come for help, led by experts who minimize trauma to children and families through sound practices and personal engagement.

About The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative is a systems-change effort that works at the local, state, and national levels to advance policies and practices to most effectively meet the needs of young people transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

MEDIA CONTACT:
First Place for Youth
Julie Richter | julie@julierichter.co
480.818.8022

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