Intro
Life Skills Prevention services are available to Tompkins County youth aged 14-24 who are living at home or in stable housing but are facing challenges and barriers around addiction, education, employment, social or emotional issues, financial instability, pregnancy, or parenting. Program services are unique to the needs/goals of each individual seeking our assistance. Through a contract with the Tompkins County Department of Social Services, these services are also available to youth living in family foster care.
Life Skills Prevention staff work alongside you to overcome issues you are facing as you transition to adulthood and independence. They can help you figure out how to solve the challenges that you are facing:
Parenting:
- Strengthen your skills at raising your child
- Provide childcare equipment, parenting supplies, and parent self-care resources
- Help arrange childcare options
If your family is involved with the Department of Social Services, our staff can help support and advocate for you and your child.
Help finding and keeping a job is an important service of Life Skills
Build independent living skills:
- Learn essential life skills such as budgeting, ensuring you have enough food and personal supplies, arranging independent transportation and other key abilities needed to live on your own..
- Get support obtaining identity documents and benefits such as SNAP, WIC and Temporary Assistance
- Find local community events to attend, such as outdoor activities, arts projects, community gatherings, support groups, and parent-child activities, where you can have fun, meet new people, learn a new skill or relieve stress in healthy ways.
Complete or continue your education:
- Support in locating resources for classwork assistance, transportation or other school related challenges.
- Accompany you to speak to teachers or school staff
- Help with school supplies
- Assist with re-entering school, including dealing with financial barriers
Obtain or improve employment:
- Explore your career interests and go on workplace tours
- Participate in an apprenticeship where you can brush up your work skills and obtain a positive reference
- Find job openings
- Get ready to apply for a job (filling out applications, creating a resume and practicing interviewing)
- Find solutions to issues like transportation, childcare, or getting clothes for work
- Problem-solve when work-related issues arise
Stabilize your housing situation:
- Assistance with resolving housing-related issues with your parents/guardians, partners, or the people you live with
- Guidance applying for Section 8 or other housing assistance
- Learn homemaking skills including organization, cleaning and general upkeep
***If you are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, please contact Youth Outreach for support.***
Contact us about Life Skills Prevention at (607)-275-0122
