DSS Links
LINKS coordinator April Locklear, BSW (910) 878-1927 alocklear@hokecounty.org
LINKS Supervisor Kristi Pigford 910-878-1925 kristi.lowery@ncmail.net
Program available to:
- Current Hoke County DSS foster youth, ages 13-20
- Former foster youth who aged out of care at age 18 (until age 21)
- Former foster youth who were teens in foster care but left before age 18
- Youth who aged out of foster care from another county or state can receive limited services
Contractual Agreement for Residential Services-CARS A youth who ages out at 18 can sign a CARS agreement and remain in a foster home to finish their high school education and/or continue on to college until their 21st birthday.
Youth who age out foster care at age 18 can sign back into care to continue their education up until their 21st birthday.
LINKS funds and LINKS Special funds can be used many ways:
- Tutoring
- Driver’s Education
- Clothing for job interviews
- Uniforms for work and school
- Some housing expenses (rent, deposits, furniture)
- School activities that promote social development
- Cash Incentives for good school grades/improved grades
- www.caseylifeskills.org Transitional Living Plan development & life skills assessments
- www.ncreach.org Information about education assistance for former foster youth and youth who were adopted as teens from foster care
- www.statevoucher.org apply here for $5000 per school year for college
- North Carolina LINKS policy
- Hoke County LINKS policy
Maxton, NC