Referrals are coordinated through authorized referral partners. Referral professionals may contact Valentino’s House to discuss program fit, availability and next steps. All placements are subject to applicable eligibility, referral and authorization requirements.

Valentino’s House primarily serves eligible Missouri youth ages 18–20 who are appropriate for Transitional Living Single/Scattered Site services and are preparing for greater independence. Placement is based on applicable eligibility requirements, the youth’s individual needs and the appropriate referral and authorization process.

In certain circumstances. A referral for a youth under age 18 requires prior approval from the Older Youth Transition Specialist (OYTS). Valentino’s House does not accept placement of a youth under age 18 without the required prior approval.

Yes. Youth and families are welcome to contact Valentino’s House to learn more about the program. However, placement through Missouri’s child-welfare system must follow the appropriate referral and authorization process.

No. A referral begins the placement consideration process. Eligibility, required authorization, the youth’s needs, program fit and current capacity are considered before a placement is confirmed.

Admission timing depends on the individual referral, required documentation and authorizations, program fit and available capacity. Our team works with referral partners to move the process forward efficiently while ensuring the necessary placement requirements are addressed.

All participants have opportunities to practice the responsibilities that come with adulthood, not just talk about them. Depending on individual needs and goals, that can include managing a household, grocery shopping and meal preparation, budgeting, transportation, education, employment preparation, communication, wellness, organization and navigating community resources.

No. Every person enters Valentino’s House with different experiences, strengths, needs and goals. Support is individualized so that participants can focus on the areas most relevant to their own transition to adulthood.

Yes. Employment and career preparation may include career exploration, résumé development, interview preparation, job-readiness skills, employment searches and identifying training or credentialing opportunities aligned with the young person’s goals.

Yes. Career preparation is built into the Valentino’s House experience. Through our Career Launch Initiative and Digital Bridge Program, youth can explore career pathways, strengthen job-readiness skills and pursue technology and skill training and approved professional certifications. We help young people build skills they can take with them long after their placement ends.

No. A referral begins the placement consideration process. Eligibility, required authorization, the youth’s needs, program fit and current capacity are considered before a placement is confirmed.

Yes. Educational and career planning may include high-school completion, college, vocational or technical education, professional training and other credentialing opportunities. The appropriate pathway depends on each young person’s interests, goals and circumstances.

Yes. Technology is one of the opportunities available through Valentino’s House. Youth whose goals align with technology or digitally enabled careers may have opportunities to develop technology skills and pursue approved training or professional certification pathways.

Not at all. Technology is an opportunity. It’s not a requirement or the identity of the program. A young person’s pathway might involve college, a skilled trade, employment, professional credentials, entrepreneurship or another direction that fits their interests and goals.

Yes. Financial preparation includes practical skills such as budgeting, banking, saving, understanding household expenses, credit and making informed financial decisions. The goal is to help youth understand the financial responsibilities they will encounter in independent adulthood.

Yes. Preparing for adulthood includes learning how to care for yourself physically and emotionally. Valentino’s House incorporates wellness education and healthy-living experiences while also helping youth connect with appropriate healthcare, behavioral-health and community resources when needed.

Yes. All apartments are furnished to provide participants with an appropriate residential setting as they develop and practice independent-living skills.

Roommate arrangements depend on the approved placement and housing arrangement. Valentino’s House follows applicable placement requirements when determining occupancy and living arrangements.

Participants are expected to actively engage in their transition plan, care for their living environment, work toward individualized education, employment and independent-living goals, communicate with their support team and increasingly take responsibility for the decisions and routines involved in adulthood.

Progress is based on the individual—not simply the amount of time spent in the program. Youth work toward personalized goals involving areas such as housing readiness, education, employment, finances, life skills and wellness. Support can evolve as abilities, needs and circumstances change.

Planning for the next step begins before move-out. Transition preparation may address housing, income, employment or education, transportation, finances, healthcare, community resources and other supports the young person may need to maintain stability after leaving the program.

Success will not look exactly the same for every young person. It might mean maintaining a first apartment, completing school, beginning a career, earning a professional credential, building savings or becoming more confident navigating adult responsibilities. Our goal is for each young person to leave better equipped to make informed decisions, use available resources and build a life they can sustain.