Independent Living Services

Murray State University's Training Resource Center strives to offer independent living services to youth in out of home care and those who have aged out of the system.  These services include information about resources available to youth in care, those transitioning to independence and those who have aged out of care, opportunities for youth to network with their peers and a chance to advocate for foster youth with out of home care staff, foster/adoptive parents and community partners. 

These services include three key programs:

  • Voices of the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Council (VOC) 
    The VOC is comprised of Kentucky foster care youth and alumni aged 16-23 and is instrumental in communicating to foster/adoptive parents, out of home care staff and community partners the issues and needs of youth in care and those who have aged out of the system. To learn more about the VOC view the  VOC brochure here.  If you're interested in becoming a member of the VOC please complete the VOC application here.

              VOC NE eventVOC SRT Event

  • Regional KOFFY Events
    Kentucky Organization for Foster Youth (KOFFY) hosts fun, regional events for youth in foster care aged 13-21.
    Events have included swimming, bowling, skating, movies and more! Information about resources for a successful transition from care to independence is also presented and shared with youth participants by VOC members.  All events are free to youth in foster care and their chaperones. EM KOFFY EventSRT KOFFY Event SnakeNBG Koffy EventSRT KOFFY small groupSRT KOFFY VOC SpeakingEM KOFFY KayakKOFFY VOC Panel
  • Annual Youth Empowerment Conferences
    An annual conference for youth is hosted throughout the state to provide participants with opportunities to network with peers, attend workshops designed to prepare youth for successful independence, tour the campus and learn about college life, meet and learn more about community partners and businesses and have a great time!  Previous conferences were hosted at the University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, Ramada Plaza Louisville and Four Points by Sheraton Lexington. The Youth Empowerment Conference is free to youth and their chaperone.