Ashley Strickland’s Children Corporation (ASCC) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate youths in
the foster care and juvenile justice systems enabling them to successfully make their transition into independent
adulthood.
ASCC focuses on teens and young adults who have often been in group homes, treatment facilities, or other placements
for extended periods of time. More often than not they have been moved from one group or foster home to another
numerous times – usually with little or no warning. They have either been living in out-of-home placements,
disruptive home environments or have been homeless. Each year over 20,000 youths “age-out” of the foster care system.
This means that they are no longer under the supervision and guardianship of the State. They are expected to live on
their own and survive; many not having any skills to live independently.
Unfortunately, they have not gained the necessary knowledge and skills to be productive, self supporting citizens.
They usually have had no constructive role models from which to learn the most basic skills that many of us take for
granted, for example, how to dress and interview for a job, manage money, prepare meals, rent an apartment,
and how to be good parents.
The purpose and goal of ASCC is to reach these youths before they become members of society, to teach
them how to survive on their own, how to thrive and give back and offer the same guidance to others youths.
ASCC offers nine independent living programs to the youths who enter our program. The courses are metric driven and are
on an accelerated pace to get them focused on being on their own to begin adulthood successfully as they come out of their
teens.
Career Planning
Interviewing for a job can be intimidating, Career Planning focuses on career counseling and preparation for employment;
gaining an understanding what can be expected in an interview and how to prepare for it. We encourage sharing career plans
with teachers, employers and counselors to strengthen knowledge and expectations of what each job may hold for any potential
advancement and expanding our youths’ interests. And to also have an understanding of the resources available in the
community which provides tutoring and training, as well as, exploring work-related internships. We provide the resources
on how to research and to continue to improve the work skills needed for success. The program breaks down financial aid
resources and employer tuition partnerships with their college or trade education.
Communication
Effective communication skills are essential for success, conveying your message to other people clearly and unambiguously.
Communication concentrates on the development of interpersonal skills, mutual understanding, mutual cooperation and trust,
conflict resolution and self maturity. Developing strong communication skills for our youths to have a voice in the
decisions and ideas they hope to accomplish.
Community Resources & Involvement
Brings the youths in contact with the community and educates them on the resources available to develop a partnership
with the community resources for a successful transition to live independently. The youths
will be introduced to the Department of Human Services which will enable them to receive continued medical insurance,
food stamps and cash assistance. Our youths will also be connected with several volunteer agencies such as "Hands on
Nashville" to participate in active roles of “giving back” to the community. We will introduce them to the understanding
of how important it is to be involved in politics and how their voice makes a difference. The individuals in this
program will have the opportunity to vote and have their voices heard in the world of politics.
Daily Living
Teaches how to plan nutritious meals for themselves and their family. Learning about the quality of health.
When meal planning, learn to stay within budget, how to prepare shopping lists, read recipes, use coupons and how to
compare prices versus the best value. How to keep the kitchen clean, safe and utensils sanitizes to prevent contamination
or health issues. This program will also teach how to properly do laundry, when to dry clean and follow the directions on
household cleaning products, which if not properly uses can be dangerous. Cleanliness is a very important habit for youths
to develop and should be a normal routine in daily life.
Housing & Money Management
Developed to help young people become aware of money-management skills they need for the rest of theirs lives,
H&MM extensively covers a large area of finance management: checking and savings accounts, ATM’s and loan information.
The program is designed to be a partnership with local professionals, community individuals and business volunteers.
To provide the know-how's of opening bank accounts, writing personal checks and the importance of maintaining a savings
balance. Introduction to credit management and credit rating scores, signing contracts, leases and other legal documents.
Teaching awareness of money scams and fraud. Introduction to community and federal resources to find housing needs and how
to invest. Comprehension of money mismanagement and teach independent freedom on personal finances.
Self Care
Works with our youths to inform them on the significance of health and safety in their daily lives. We
cover such areas as peer pressure, how to avoid being harassed, strategies of responsible drinking, dangers of smoking
and use of illegal drugs. Many youths do not know or understand the signs of depression or emotional distress and do not
know where to turn to for help. We encourage our youths to take part in hobbies, crafts, art, gardening, sports or any other
activity that will bring about a reduction of stress in their lives. Our program will introduce them to community resources that
will work with them as they need help through the years as they become more established in society. Another area we will
educate them on is self hygiene. This includes methods of birth control, STD protection, signs of pregnancy, prenatal care,
how to make a doctor’s or dentist's appointment and use of the emergency room at a hospital.
Social Relationship
Covers areas that many youths have a total misconception of, which is how a healthy relationships works.
ASCC will expand on dating and building friendships before entering a long term relationship. The youths will become
educated on domestic violence, abuse and rape. This module will go into greater detail on methods of birth control,
STD protection, early parenthood and different types of lifestyles. Foster youths are exposed to many different
environments and backgrounds, and have witnessed types of relationships which involve abuse, neglect, and violence.
Our youths will also be introduced and connected with local authorities for a better understanding of gang awareness; as
many of our youths are looking for acceptance in the wrong direction and might gravitate toward gangs seeking approval.
Transportation
Is a program that will enable our youths to become more independent and responsible to broaden their opportunities.
The youths in our program will understand that it is a privilege to drive and not a right. We will educate our youths on
the main factors that cause the highest teenage crash statistics and our goal is to reduce these accidents that kill or injure
our children. ASCC will also work with our youths to have a better understanding how to purchase a car and the advantages and
disadvantages of buying new or used vehicles, as well as general car repair. Lessons will include knowledge about financing
and interest that apply to their choices of purchase. They will be shown types of insurance and how to keep low rates.
If obtaining a driver’s license is not an option for our youths they will understand the use of public transportation such
as buses, trains and taxis.
Work Life
Demonstrates the behaviors of good employees and how to get along with coworkers. We work with the youths
from the application process, preparing them and holding mock interviews, to assist them with job placement. We show them
what expectations are from an employer and the roles of a supervisor, as well as how to ask supervisors for help and
growth potential. Acceptance of direction in the workplace, time management and how to follow the chain of command when
conflicts arises are all key areas on which they will educated. Understanding discrimination and harassment in the workplace
can protect them from unnecessary documentation or termination of employment.
For more information on ASCC Programs, please contact us at 615-283-3013 or email us at
info@ashleyschildren.org
