In February 2018 Ohio became the 28th state to extend foster care. However, different from child welfare, Ohio BRIDGES is a completely voluntary program designed to promote permanency and self-sufficiency. BRIDGES extends funds for housing and case management for eligible young adults who emancipate out of custody between the ages of 18 and 20 years old.
To be eligible for the program, young adults must be either in secondary school or in an equivalent program, enrolled in college or a post-secondary school, employed at least 80 hours a month, enrolled in a program designed to remove barriers, like Job Corp or have a physical or mental health impairment.
Each BRIDGES’ participant is paired with a Bridges Liaison, who helps to guide the young adult on their personal development path. The young adult and liaison work together, with emphases on the young adult’s personal goals, to develop skills and supports that lead to the overall program goal of permanency and self-sufficiency.
Ohio Bridges is administered and managed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services with services provided by state grant recipient agency— the Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio.
To locate more information on the Ohio BRIDGES program, visit bridgestosuccess.jfs.ohio.gov or if you have questions, call 1-866-503-1895.
To learn about becoming a BRIDGES Host Home, click on this FAQ.
