If I leave foster care to live on my own can I return to foster care if things dont work out?
If you are still in the trial discharge period it is possible to re-enter foster care. However, after the trial discharge period is complete, the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services loses custody. Once a youth is age 18, the Department can no longer file a petition in family court to request custody, so there would be no way to place the youth back into foster care. Even after the completion of the trial discharge period, if you are having difficulty in some area of your life, for example housing or finances, you may contact your former case manager who can provide guidance or advocacy.
