(WIBW) - A new web site aims to help foster youth transition out of the state system.

More than 2,000 young people 16 years of age and older receive foster care services in Kansas. For some of them, the transition to independent living can present challenges.

To help foster youth and former youth navigate this transition, the Kansas Serves Substance Affected Families (KSSAF) initiative has launched a website: www.kansasindependence.org.

KSSAF is a joint project of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare funded by a grant from the Administration for Children and Families to increase the well-being of, and to improve the permanency outcomes for, children affected by methamphetamine or other substance abuse.

The goal of the website is to provide older youth in Kansas who are receiving life skills or independent living services with links to resources for living on their own, a way to connect to other youth, and information about alcohol and drug use to help them make good decisions. The website includes stories of foster youth who were impacted by substance abuse and in-depth resources in twelve topic areas, including education, health, buying a car, housing and more.

The Financial Literacy for Youth (FLY) project contains interactive lessons and activities to teach youth about financial topics including banking, budgeting and saving.

Partner agencies involved in the KSSAF initiative include Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services—Children and Family Policy Division and Addiction and Prevention Services, University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, Kansas Alliance for Drug Endangered Children, KVC Behavioral Healthcare, TFI Family Services, Inc., St. Francis at Salina, Inc., Youthville, Inc., DCCCA, Inc. and inDepth Learning.