The Youth Transitions Advisory Council (YTAC) is a statewide program that supports young people as they transition from foster care into adulthood. A transition is the time when young people begin living more independently. This can include finding safe housing, continuing school or job training, starting a career, and learning how to manage daily responsibilities.
For youth aging out of foster care, this transition can be challenging. Many young adults may lack stable housing or trusted adults to guide them. YTAC works to improve services and systems for young people to have the support they need during this important stage of life.
Each year, YTAC publishes an annual report for the Tennessee General Assembly. The report shares the number of former foster youth receiving services and offers recommendations to strengthen support systems. Recent recommendations include expanding mentoring programs, increasing access to emergency housing, and growing youth resource centers.
Families, caregivers, and community members also play an important role. YTAC highlights ways adults can support transitioning youth, including becoming mentors, helping them access stable housing, and connecting them to educational and employment opportunities. These supports help young people build confidence and independence.
YTAC also hosts quarterly public meetings that are open to the public and are held in a hybrid format that can be accessed virtually. These meetings allow families, youth, and community members to learn more and share input. The 2026 meeting dates are March 26th, May 28th, August 20th, and October 8th.
To learn more about YTAC's work, meetings, and reports, families and caregivers can visit the official YTAC web page on the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth website.