Getting a paycheck is good, but what’s better is getting a paycheck for work you love. Exploring what you want to do begins by asking yourself some important questions:
- What do you enjoy doing?
- What have you been told you’re good at?
- What skills do you know you have?
- What interests you?
- What jobs require those skills and include those interests?
- What do you want to be doing three years from now?
While you’re exploring the job market, take a look at these training and employment services available to you.
- Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation – Keys to Success
- Jewish Family and Children’s Services – Real World Job Development
- ACYR – Pathways to Success
- Arizona@Work
- Community Action Agency
Getting your finances in order is one of the most important steps to take before leaving foster care. Here are the steps to start:
Get an Arizona ID. If you’re under 18 and plan to leave foster care, talk to your DCS case specialist about getting an Arizona ID. Are you over 18? Your Independent Living Program (ILP) or Transitional Independent Living Program (TILP) Specialist should be able to help.
Open a Checking and Savings Account. Open a checking and savings account at a bank or credit union. You’ll probably need two forms of official ID and a small amount of money to start each account.
Create a Budget. A monthly budget allows you to track your expenses and income. Going to college? Starting a new job? A monthly budget is a good money management tool. Below are two sample budgets in in excel or pdf.
