Find Your Future (FYF) Program Grant

The Find Your Future (FYF) Program, initiated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, offers specialized internships to youth in foster care. This initiative matches eligible college students with paid internship opportunities across the state, fostering professional development through workshops and aftercare services. Participants receive stipends and support in resume building, financial literacy, and networking skills, aiming to enhance their career prospects and personal growth. The program is designed to empower youth as they transition into the workforce.

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) promotes the well-being of children, youth, and families by responding to reports of potential abuse and neglect and, when needed providing family-centered care and connection to resources.
Short Description
This program is specifically for foster care agencies providing a specialty program and/or service for special client populations (e.g., current and former youth in care in college; older care givers; fathers; etc.) The Find Your Future (FYF) program emphasizes client development by matching college students currently in or from DCFS care with internship providers state-wide, for paid, part- or full-time, 10-week summer internships. During the summer months, selected clients participate in a 10-week paid internship program. As part of the program, they are required to attend professional development workshops the week prior to the start of their internship. Clients receive a transportation stipend to cover the first two weeks of their internship. Clients receive a bi-weekly stipend over the course of the internship. Stipends are processed only after the interns’ timecards are verified with the individual internship providers. Internships are completed in August; and the program immediately begins preparations for the upcoming year. Over the remaining months of the year, FYF Staff provides aftercare services for previous participants. All Find Your Future clients who complete the program receive services such as resume assistance, employment leads, and/or references. Other activities include marketing the program to eligible candidates, marketing the program to Department providers, private agencies and the community, marketing to potential internship providers, reviewing applications received, interviewing candidates, and the matching of clients to internship providers.
Objective
The Program provides assistance to help achieve future career and employment goals. Goals of the Program include direct internship experience, increased knowledge on resume writing, interviewing, financial literacy, communication skills, office etiquette, team building, worker’s rights, professional networking and social media etiquette, and increased volunteer experience. Each of these employment goals will be measured with overall workshop evaluations and workshop pre to post-tests.

Eligibility

Nonprofit Organizations; For-Profit Organizations; Government Organizations; Small Businesses