Transitioning to Adulthood

Moving into adulthood is hard! After experiencing foster care, adoption or other losses, finding one's way as a "grown up" can be even more challenging. Every young person has their own unique path to forge & follow. With their help, we've done our best to gather resources to support this important, inevitable journey. Please reference our Adoptee & Foster Voices, Grief & Loss, LGBTQ+, Mental Health, Parent & Professional Self Love & Care, Teen Topics and Trauma pages for more resources.

Much gratitude to the young people whose lived experience voices have informed this page!

Earn $50 - Study on Adopted Young Adult's Transition to Adulthood:

Adopted young adults ages 18-24 are invited to participate in a survey to share their perspectives & experiences related to adoption. For example: What advice would you give to adopted kids and families? What made the transition to adolescence & early adulthood easier or harder? For individuals who are in college: What was important to you in thinking about/choosing a college? The survey also asks some questions about birth family, mental health, and family relationships and communication.

Survey takes approx. 45 minutes - 1 hour to complete. Participants receive an ID# and individual survey link to participate. The individual link is UNIQUE and cannot be shared. You will receive $50 if you complete the survey. You must complete at least 75% of the questions to be paid. You can step away from it/your browser and complete it at various intervals; it doesn’t need to be completed in one sitting.

To participate, please contact Project Director, Abbie Goldberg, Professor of Psychology, Clark University (www.abbiegoldberg.com), agoldberg@clarku.edu.

"Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory." ~Dr. Seuss


Websites

Education specific

Career specific

Housing, Vehicles, Finances & Legal specific

Wellbeing & culturally specific

Recommended Books & Articles

Transitioning to Adulthood-related materials in ORPARC's library

Adult adoption

Videos & Podcasts

Featured Favorites

Mechanic Shop Femme's Guide to Car Ownership by Chaya Milchtein, fosteree - free copies for young people available through ORPARC courtesy of One Simple Wish!

Mechanic Shop Femme's Guide to Car ...

Redefining Normal by Alexis & Justin Black, fosterees

Life Skills by Julia Laflin


Mastering Adulthood by Lara E. Fielding


What They Don't Teach Teens by Jonathan Cristall


Untangled by Lisa Damour Ph.D.


Planning My Way to Work by Oregon agencies & en español


Life Skills Workbook for Teens with Autism & Special Needs by Susan Jules


Oregon's Transition Resource Handbook; Moving Forward Together 2021-22 by Oregon Department of Education


Life Skills 101 by Tina Pestalozzi