Enrollee Info
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
River Jordan provides service coverage to Bay, Saginaw, Midland, Genesee, Arenac and Tuscola Counties.
PRE-AGING OUT
Current foster youth, Juvenile Justice and Dual Ward (State and Court) ages 14 to 18.
TRANSITIONAL LIVING
Former foster youth. Juvenile Justice, Dual Ward (State and Court) ages 18 to 21 who are YAVFC (Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care) eligible.Click Now
PEER SUPPORT
Current and former foster youth ages 14+, that have experienced the foster care system.
THINGS POTENTIAL ENROLLEES SHOULD KNOW
How do I know if River Jordan, Inc. is right for me?
If Transitional Housing is what you seek with our agency, the best way to know if we are the right fit for you is to read the Resident Handbook. These are the basic rules of the program. We also recommend that you talk with your Foster Care Worker, MYOI Coordinator, Case Manager, Foster Parents, CASA, or anyone in your circle that understands who you are as a person, your goals, and what your needs are. They may be able to help you determine if River Jordan is the right fit for you. Contact our office. We are happy to answer questions you may have about our program and help you understand what’s involved.
What do I need to get started?
It is helpful if you have the following:
- Michigan State ID
- Requires birth certificate or other proof of birth date and legal residency status (You can request a certified copy of your birth certificate from the county you were born in or through the State Of Michigan Vital Records Office)
- Social Security Card (If you do not currently have your Social Security card in your possession, you will need a valid state ID to obtain a replacement card. You can find your closest Social Security office at SSA.gov)
- Confirmation of foster care status
- Contact your social worker, MYOI Coordinator, or Foster Care Worker to obtain a letter confirming your current foster care/emancipation status
If you are missing any of these documents, please call us to find out how we can help you attain them! Our life skill coordinators are skilled and experienced in helping you track down these important documents and help you obtain proper identification.
Is There A Waiting List?
As much as we try to avoid it, there are times when there will be a waiting list for River Jordan services, in particular, suitable housing. This depends on when you are applying, your foster care status, and if you have successfully completed our orientation process. River Jordan Inc does not provide temporary or emergency shelter. If you are in need of emergency shelter, we can advocate and help and help remove barriers to get you into a emergency shelter program in your area. We will work with you from there to help you build and establish stable housing including getting you ready for transitional housing. How long is the process?
Preparing someone for transitional housing takes time. In most cases, the length of the process depends on you: on your willingness, follow- through, meeting eligibility requirements of enrollment, your foster care status, and housing availability that fits your successful transition plan.
Do I pay rent?
You are responsible to pay a program fee. If you are in our transitional housing program, your program fee is $150 every two weeks or $300 per month. Residents are guests of the program regardless to the fact that the resident may pay to use the program housing. RJI may terminate this relationship with the resident’s right to use RJI Housing for any reason within the discretion of the Program’s Guidelines. The end-goal of our housing program is that you will successfully transition to full responsibility of your apartment and reach total self-sufficiency by the time you complete the program.
What if I have children?
Currently we do not have transitional housing opportunities for women with children. Women who are pregnant are eligible for transitional housing. On the day of delivery of a child, the mother becomes ineligible.
What if I have a criminal record?
River Jordan Inc. works with individuals who have juvenile and/or adult criminal convictions. Having a conviction for pending case does not mean you are ineligible to receive services. We approach each applicant on an individual basis. If we feel we can’t meet your needs, we will do our very best to refer you to other organizations and services that will. Those who have sex crime cases are not eligible for transitional housing.
How frequently do I meet with my coaches?
At River Jordan Inc, you are required to meet with your coach in person or by phone at least once a week or according to what is outline in the individual’s transition plan. Each enrollee’s recovery and transition is unique. Some are required to meet more often than others depending on their transition plan at that time. Failure to be involved in your transition and recovery, including meeting with your coaches, will result in your termination from the program.
Are life skills appointments mandatory?
Yes! We want it to be clear that we take one-on-one coaching sessions, mandatory meetings, and life skill trainings very seriously. All life skills appointments require mandatory attendance, but there are some classes that are optional. Continued failure to attend mandatory life skills sessions will result in your termination from the program. We do our best to be flexible regarding work, school, and other unique situations that may arise. Your successful transition and recovery must be as much of a top priority to you as it is to us.
Our mission is to help you succeed.
If you have already taken similar classes with your Youth Board, each class must be verified by your MYOI worker that you successfully completed and attended the class. Some classes may be similar but may not have required components within them and you may be still required to take a training with River Jordan in that area. If your RJ coaches see a pattern of you struggling in a life skill you previously completed training on, you may be required to take that training again with River Jordan.