It's My Life: Employment Guide
Expanding on the It's My Life transition framework, this guide to employment and career development helps child welfare professionals prepare young people for success in the workplace. It's My Life: Employment was published in 2004 by Casey Family Programs. It is available in printed form and for download in PDF format.

A Future Near Me/ The Path Before Me (FUTURE/PATH)
A Future Near Me contains questions to guide a young adult towards self-sufficiency. The Path Before Me is designed to help American Indian Youth learn tribal ways and skills that will enable them to move into their own place. It contains questions to guide American Indian Youth towards responsible living. Both pocket guide resources, designed by Mark Kroner, can be used by the learner on their own or with an adult. The books can be used with families, schools, youth groups, life skills classes, sharing circles and elders. Self-teaching tool.

Apartment Hunt
An animated curriculum that takes the learner through the entire process of securing a place to live, from figuring out personal "needs and wants" to checking out apartments, and even coming up with a realistic budget. Interactive exercises give viewers valuable tools for real-life apartment hunting. It can be purchased as a CD-ROM or one can subscribe to Vstreet. Self-teaching tool.

Vstreet - www.vstreet.com. Vstreet teaches life skills and offers additional resources. It is a password community, so it is private and can be individualized by school or agency groups to fit their needs. It includes Apartment Hunt and Car Dreams. Vstreet teaches teens valuable life skills and at the same time, gives them a place where they can feel at home. Kids with different backgrounds and abilities will find Vstreet a fun place, filled with animated stories, characters they can relate to, and plenty of interaction. They will connect with others, express themselves, and learn how to take the right steps towards being on their own. It is available for $24/year.

Creative Life Skills Activities
Creative Life Skill Activities is a collection of 100 group activities from the nation's life skill training programs. The activities in this collection are arranged in the same way a group session is organized: 1) opening activities, 2) group building activities, 3) individual activities, and 4) closing activity. They are also indexed by skill area. A total of 22 skill areas are covered. Every activity from this practical collection is ready to use right away and guaranteed to add pizzazz to your life skill groups. For adults to teach life skills to youth. It was created for group work, but can be modified for work one on one.

Developing your Vision while Attending College
This four part series is designed to help American Indians develop vision for their lives and successfully complete college education. It covers decision-making, money management, financial aid, and planning for the future. For self-teaching or group teaching.

I Can Do It! A Micropedia of Living on Your Own
This engaging, easy to use resource can be used by older youth to guide them through most topics pertaining to living on their own, including budgeting, housing, daily living and relationships. For self-teaching or group teaching.

I Know Where I'm Going (But Will My Cash Keep Up?)
A two-part workbook for youth ages 12 and older focusing on all aspects of money management. Developed specifically for youth in out-of-home care, it is applicable to all. It includes a section on career development. Self-teaching tool, or use with adult supervision.

I Know Where I'm Going (But Will My Cash Keep Up?) - A Caregiver's Handbook
This resource provides tips on how to use the "I Know Where I'm Going" workbook listed above. It includes supporting activities that may be completed with the youth as part of daily living.

I'm Getting Ready. I CAN DO IT!
I'm Getting Ready is designed as an interactive workbook. Its activities are created to motivate learning. The "lessons" encourage involvement of friends, groups, family, community, and/or the individual. It can be used by the learner or with help of teachers, mentors, friends, parents, grandparents, foster parents, social workers etc.. It covers topics like apartment searches, legal issues, safety, nutrition, consuming, home management, money management and goal setting.

It's Perfectly Normal This book by Robie H. Harris, for preteens, teens, and parents provides comprehensive, contemporary and candid information on the mechanics and consequences of puberty, sexual activity, birth control, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases. Self-teaching tool.

Life Skills Activities for Special Children
A resource for teachers, counselors, parents and others helping youth in upper elementary (ages 8-12) learn life skills. This practical easy to use collection of 145 open ended lessons with reproducible worksheets helps children develop the basic skills necessary to experience independence and success in everyday living. With each lesson, an objective, discussion ideas, and worksheet instructions are included. Topics such as basic survival skills, personal independence, community independence, and getting along with others are covered. For group or one-on-one instruction.

Life Skills Activities for Secondary Students with Special Needs

A resource for teachers, counselors, parents, and others involved with teaching youth life skills. Contains activity sheets, discussion questions, applied exercises, and evaluation suggestions. Divided into seven sections and covers over 190 activities. Skills covered include: interpersonal skills, communication, academic and school skills, practical living skills, vocational skills, lifestyle choices, and problem solving. Adult directed resource.

Money Pals: Being Cool with Cash
A two-part workbook for youth ages 8-10 focusing on all aspects of money management. Developed specifically for youth in out-of-home care. Includes a section on career development. Self-teaching tool, or use with adult supervision.

Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA)
A workbook series created by Massachusetts Department of Social Services. PAYA can be used by the learner alone, or with an adult. Topic areas and brief assessments match the learning goals and expectations of the Guidebook. The Activity/Resource Workbook contains information and exercises by topic area to help develop or strengthen the skills of the learner.

There are five modules available consisting of multiple PDF files (please follow the links below to access files):

Ready, Set, Fly! A Parent's Guide to Teaching Life Skills
This resource was developed by foster parents for other parents to use when teaching life skills. The Activity Book is designed to be used in conjunction with the Life Skills Guidebook. It contains a series of activities and suggestions that may be used in one-to-one instruction. For parents use with youth ages 8 and older.

Social Skills Activities for Secondary Students with Special Needs
A two-part curriculum for high school students who need to learn and practice social skills. The first part focuses on 20 basic social skills. The second part focuses on the application of these skills in five different settings: home, school, work, among peers, and in the community. Over 180 ready-to-use worksheets. Adults instruct youth.

Social Skills Activities for Special Children
A three-part curriculum for late elementary students who need to learn and practice social skills. The first part focuses on accepting rules and authority at school. The second part focuses on relating to peers, and the third part focuses on developing positive social skills. Social Skills Activities for Special Children helps children become aware of acceptable social behavior and develop proficiency in acquiring basic social skills. Skills are placed in the context of real life situations. Over 142 ready-to-use, reproducible activity sheets. Adults instruct youth.

The New Making It On Your Own
This youth workbook contains 92 pages of life skill exercises that will help youth make it on their own. The New Making It On Your Own tests a youth's knowledge and challenges them to seek out new information. The workbook covers employment, housing, home management, health, leisure time, and money management. Designed for older youth working alone or with an adult.

Understanding Taxes
A collection of tax related resources hosted by the Internal Revenue Service to help teachers integrate lessons about taxes into a variety of classroom settings. This toolkit will continually grow and evolve to meet the needs of secondary school teachers.

What are My Rights? 95 Questions and Answers about Teens and the Law
This easy to read and understand resource helps people understand the important parts of the law they may encounter during their life. It covers responsibilities and rights. Each chapter orients the learner to certain issues, followed by questions and answer sections. Includes listings of toll free numbers and hotlines to call to get more information. Self teaching tool.

Recommended Resources   

A Pocket Guide to Independent Living and Teacher's/Leader's Guide for A Pocket Guide to Independent Living
A compilation of basic living instructions/information contained in one source. Helps young people be prepared to participate responsibly in the adult world. For group or individual use.

Car Dreams
A fun interactive CD that teaches the learner how to buy a car.

Oops! The Manners Guide for Girls
Illustrated, practical guide to learning manners for every day and tricky situations. Self-teaching tool.

Self Esteem and Life Skills Too! (SEALS II)
A collection of reproducible activities based on handouts catered for teachers and counselors for use with middle and high school students. For each activity, the purpose, general comments and possible activities are provided. Group or self-teaching tool.

The Care and Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls
This book by Valerie Lee from the American Girl Library provides head-to-toe advice on how to care for your body and prepare for body changes. Self-teaching tool.

The Teenage Human Body: Operators Manual
This manual provides information on how to maintain one's body. There are eleven parts in the manual. Each part begins with a list of topics so that one can tell if it contains the information one is looking for. Related words are in the Index referencing specific pages. Designed for youth working alone or with an adult.

Young Person's Guide to Getting and Keeping a Good Job
Provides learners with a systematic method for learning the skills to find a good job. The Young Person's Guide comprehensively covers finding and maintaining a job. The learner can self-instruct with the student workbook, or a teacher could use the instructor's guide. The job search methods presented were thoroughly researched and proven to reduce the time required to find a job. The material will improve the learner's communication skills, increase self esteem, and increase the potential for career and job success.

Additional Resources  BACK TO TOP

Credit for College: Tools for Managing Your Money
A workbook for high school aged youth focusing on money management (e.g., financial aid, budgeting, credit). Includes a section on career development. Self-teaching tool, or use with adult supervision.

How To Survive Teaching Health
This resource includes hundreds of ideas to make health classes come alive. It includes a comprehensive collection of over 200 high-interest health education activities organized for easy use. Designed for groups.

Life Success
A guide describing the attributes of successful youth with learning disabilities. It includes content on self-awareness, pro-activity, perseverance, goal-setting, presence and use of support systems, emotional coping strategies and suggestions on how to develop these attributes. Designed for parents.

MICROLIFE - Mini Micropedias and Resource Workbooks For Special Subjects.
Mini-Micropedias are taken from chapters of "I Can Do It! A Micropedia of Living on your own." They cover all the information covered in the corresponding section of "I Can Do It!" In addition, companion learning activities for teaching life skills are available.

Putting Feet on My Dreams: A Program in Self-Determination for Adolescents and Young Adults. A program in self-determination for adolescents and young adults. Designed to help students know oneself and how to plan to achieve one's goals and prepare for adult responsibilities.

Our Place
This box kit includes a VHS video and 16 activity guides covering the following topics: housing needs and wants, setting a budget, sharing an apartment, searching for an apartment, inspecting the apartment, reading and negotiating a lease, and identifying supportive community resources. This instructional resource is designed for use in group settings. (A CD Rom version is also available.)

Power Through Choices: Sexuality Education for Youth in Foster and Group Care
This resource provides ten sessions on adolescent pregnancy/HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infection) prevention curriculum for youth ages 14-18 in out-of-home care. It offers opportunities for youth to learn about self-empowerment and decision-making. Curriculum led by adults.

YO! Activity and Skill Cards for Young Teens
This collection of activity and skill cards is designed specifically for self-directed learning and decision making. A person may use them with or without an adult. Developed originally for teens in group homes it covers daily living, kitchen, car, consuming, community, recreation. Each card presents a skill or activity designed to teach life skills. It is similar to Ready, Set, Fly!

FREE WEB RESOURCES 

4 Girls - Covers body, fitness, nutrition, illness, disability, mind, relationships, safety, and your future.

Advice from Dr. Dave and Dr. Dee - Table manners Q & A, older youth self teach.

American Bar Association - Consumer's Guide to finding legal help on the internet.

American Express - Retrieved September 29, 2004 from http://home4.americanexpress.com/blue/student/blue_student_moneymgmt.asp

American Psychological Association - Questions About Sexual Orientation.

Banking on Our Future - Savings self tutorial, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade, and young adult.

Bank Rate - Tax Forms.

Business Netiquette - Covers email etiquette, using the Internet.

Center for Disease Control - Employee rights.

Cleaning 101

Congress - how to vote and register.

Consumer Advice on Food Safety, Nutrition, and Cosmetics - Food storage Q & A, self teach, excellent.

Cool Food Planet - Eating and health.

CPR/First Aid Instruction

Cuisinenet, Diner's Digest - Table setting, table manners, cultural diversity, for older youth, self teach.

Decision Education Foundation - Decision Making.

EconEdLink - Taxes and consuming.

Family Fun - Retrieved September 29, 2004 from:

Food Link - Food storage, preparation and food safety.

Food Marketing Institute - Food storage.

Girl Power

GPO Access - Federal Library.

Healthy Oakland Teens Project - Real decision activity.

Healthy School Meals Resource System - Food pyramid.

How to Learn - Learning Styles.

How To Study - Study Skills.

Internal Revenue Service - Taxes & Tax Forms

Internal Revenue Service - Understanding Taxes

Internet Safety

Journal of Industrial Teacher Education - Impact of Technology on the Work Place.

Just Ask Jane - Clothing care, detailed and a place for asking questions.

Juvenile Offenders and Troubled Teens - Legal Terms.

Kids Health - Website offering information about physical, mental and emotional health for children, teens, and adults.

Kids Space at the Internet Public Library

Law Help.org - Helps people find legal assistance.

LD Pride - Learning Styles.

Leaders of Waste Reduction

Learn CPR - Hands on CPR/First Aid Training.

Learning To Give - Teaching the importance of voluntary action for the common good in a democratic society.

LIBWEB - Library Servers via WWW.

Mapping Your Future - Balancing checkbook.

Minnesota Careers - Financial Aid & Educational Options

Money Central - Credit Rating.

Money Matters for Kids - Resources and definitions.

My Meals - Menu Planning, Measurement conversion tables, older self teaching, more advertisements.

National Center for Youth Law - Rights while in foster care.

Nutrition Café - For younger youth, information about nutrition.

Nutritional Analysis Tool - Web-based nutritional calculator. This resource assesses the nutritional content of foods and includes foods that youth eat, including fast food.

Parent Soup - Covers many parenting topics, advertisements.

Practical Money Skills - Banking, consuming, budgeting http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com

Produce Oasis - Source of information about selecting, preparing and using fresh fruits and vegetables.

Public Broadcast System - Paying for College.

Quicken Home - Homeowners/renters Insurance.

Quintessential Careers - Finding jobs.

Recycling - Recycling games, facts and educational activities.

Road Ready Teens - Site for parents and drivers, facts, legal, and other activities.

Safety Information - Cleaning products.

Selective Service Registration

Table setting - Picture, self teach.

The Alcohol and Drug Information Clearinghouse

The American Academy of Pediatrics - Provides parenting and pregnancy information by topic.

The Cook's Thesaurus - A cooking encyclopedia that covers thousands of ingredients and kitchen tools. Entries include pictures, descriptions, synonyms, pronunciations, and suggested substitutions.

The High School Graduate

The National Mail Voter Registration Form

The Ohio State University - Decision Making.

The Parent Center/Baby Center - Covers pregnancy and parenting in depth. Advertisements.

University of Illinois Extension Thrifty Living - Food freshness.

University of Minnesota Extension - Taxes.

World Wide Web Subject Catalogue

Yahooligans - Teaching Internet Literacy.

Youth Rules - Employee rights.