LANSING - Foster youths aging out of care are just a click away from services and support as they transition to self-sufficiency, Department of Human Services officials announced today.

A new Web site, www.michigan.gov/fyit, offers information on a variety of issues and resources important to current and former foster youths, including housing, education, legal assistance, transportation, financial management, health and more. The site is the result of recommendations made by the Statewide Task Force on Youth Transitioning from Foster Care in 2006 and included input from foster youths.

"This Web site was at the very top of the task force's recommendations and I'm delighted it has been accomplished," DHS Director Marianne Udow said. "The site provides a helping hand to foster youths everywhere, whether it's help in finding a home, tips for managing money, applying for college financial aid or seeking medical care."

In 2006, 536 Michigan youths left foster care, or "aged out," and research shows they are at greater risk for poverty, homelessness, unemployment and other negative outcomes. As part of the Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative, youth boards representing 30 Michigan counties have been formed to help change these outcomes and provide financial support to foster youths in transition. Members of the youth boards are charged with maintaining the Web site to provide updated information.

Jen Leedy, 20, spent eight years in foster care before aging out recently. Enrolled at Macomb Community College with a major in communications, Leedy serves as vice president of the youth board in her county and helped provided feedback on the Web site during its development.

"We provided a lot of suggestions about what information would be interesting to people of our age, what would be useful and what would catch our eye," Leedy said. "This site makes it so easy to find all the information instead of searching through Google or all the other sites. I hope more states do the same thing."

Michigan's efforts to improve supports for foster youths aging out have attracted national attention, including the National Governors Association and the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care.

"It is a myth to assume a child of 18, who may still be enrolled in high school, is ready for independence," Udow said. "While a Web site cannot provide food, clothing and a secure home, it can help foster youths connect with a caring adult and locate resources to help them transition to adulthood."