Preparing Adolescents for Young Adulthood (PAYA): Description/Instructions for Use

The PAYA curriculum was developed by the Massachusetts Department of Social Services to meet the needs of their youth aging out of care. The curriculum is recommended by Casey Family Programs and the modules work well in conjunction with the Ansell-Casey assessment that is currently being utilized within the TL program to assess independent living need areas. PAYA can be used by the learner alone, or with an adult. Topic areas and brief assessments match the learning goals and expectations of the Guidebook. The Activity/Resource Workbook contains information and exercises by topic area to help develop or strengthen the skills of the learner.

There are five modules available:

  • Module I: Money, Home, and Food Management
  • Module II: Personal Care, Health, Social Skills, and Safety
  • Module III: Education, Job Seeking Skills, and Job Maintenance Skills
  • Module IV: Housing, Transportation, Community Resources, Understanding the Law, and Recreation
  • Module V: Young Parents Guide
  • Sexuality, STD and Pregnancy Prevention
  • Unplanned Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy and Health Skills
  • Physical Care (Taking Care of Baby)
  • Health Care
  • Safety
  • Infancy
  • Older Babies and Toddlers
  • Children Ages 2-5
  • Making the World a Better Place/Environment
  • Education and Career Planning for Teen Parents
  • Housing
  • Making Ends Meet

When to Use PAYA:

  • When targeting independent living goals for Transitional Living, Foster Care, Intercept, or Residential youth.
  • As directed in the clinical protocols as a possible intervention strategy to treat various referral issues.

How to Use PAYA:

  • When PAYA is indicated in the clinical protocols, refer to the PAYA Module Guide to identify appropriate intervention needed.
  • Clear guidelines for assessment and intervention completion are broken down for each of the 5 modules.
  • Target the appropriate intervention for your clinical concern:
  • E.g. Prioritized driver: low understanding of substance use
  • PAYA: Module II – Health
  • Intervention: Drugs & Alcohol

PAYA Module Guide

Assessments: Completed for all youth in the TL program / Dates / Completed / Notes
Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment
  • ACLSA-I (ages 8-9)
  • ACLSA-II (ages 10-12)
  • ACLSA-III (ages 13-15)
  • ACLSA-IV (ages 16+) Special Note: The name of this assessment has been changed from "Adult Assessment" to "ACLSA-IV." Only the name has changed, the content remains exactly the same. It's appropriate for people age 16 and up.
  • ACLSA Short Assessment (ages 11-18)

Ansell Casey Life Skills Supplements: Completed as recommended
  • American Indian
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting Infants
  • Parenting Young Children
  • Homeless
  • Youth Values
  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Questioning
Education Supplements
  • Education Level I – Upper Elementary
  • Education Level II: Middle or Junior High School
  • Education Level III: High School
  • Education Level IV: Post-Secondary Education or Training
  • Scores reviewed with Consultant
  • Scores added to treatment plan in appropriate referral issue

Psychoeducation: Completed for all cases
  • Provide the rationale
  • Share assessment results with youth
  • Share Assessment Results with Caregivers (if applicable)

PAYA: Module I

Money Management: Module I
  • Complete Money Management Skills Assessment
  • Complete Goal Worksheet to improve Money Management guide to develop plan to increase skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Developing Personal Budget
  • Banking
  • Taxes
  • Buying a Car
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

PAYA: Module II

Personal Care: Module II / Dates / Completed / Notes
  • Complete Personal Care Skill Assessment
  • Complete Goal worksheet to develop plan to address personal skill goals
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Personal Appearance
  • Clothing
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

Health: Module II
  • Complete Health care skill assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve health care skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Exercise
  • Nutrition
  • Personal Health Care
  • Healthcare Insurance
  • Health Risks
  • Drugs & Alcohol
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

Safety: Module II
  • Complete safety skill assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve safety skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Safety Tips for Young Parents
  • Car & Bicycle Safety
  • Poisoning
  • Fire Safety & Prevention
  • Crime Tips for Home Safety
  • Violence in Relationships
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

Social Skills: Module II
  • Complete Ansell-Casey Values Supplement when indicated
  • Complete Ansell-Casey LGBT Supplement when indicated
  • Complete social skills assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve social skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Values
  • Cultural Identity/Diversity
  • Decision Making
  • Problem Solving
  • Personal Goals
  • Relationships
Decision Making in Relationships
  • Communication
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Love
  • Sexuality
  • STD’s, HIV/AIDS
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

PAYA: Module III

Education: Module III / Dates / Completed / Notes
  • Complete the appropriate Ansell-Casey education supplement assessment
  • Complete Education Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve education skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Learning Styles
  • Career Assessment/Options
  • Educational Placement Options
  • Paying for College
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

Job Seeking Skills: Module III
  • Complete Employment Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve job seeking skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Getting Ready
  • Occupational Characteristics
  • Personal Facts Sheet
  • Where to Look for a Job
  • Application Completion
  • Interviewing
  • Resume Development
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

Job Maintenance Skills: Module III
  • Complete Job Maintenance Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve job maintenance skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Work Habits
  • Problem Solving
  • Assign Homework
  • Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

PAYA: Module IV

Housing: Module IV / Dates / Completed / Notes
  • Complete Ansell-Casey Homeless Supplement Assessment (as indicated)
  • Complete Housing Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve housing skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Planning
  • Roommates
  • Finding and Apartment
  • How to Maintain an Apartment/Living Situation
  • Utilities
  • Transportation
  • Community Resources
  • Understanding the Law
  • Recreation
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

PAYA: Module V

Young Parents Guide/Sexuality, STD and Pregnancy Prevention / Dates / Complete / Notes
  • Complete Sexuality, STD and Pregnancy Prevention Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to work on pregnancy and STD prevention
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Sexuality
  • STD’s
  • Pregnancy Prevention
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/Unplanned Pregnancy
  • Complete Unplanned Pregnancy Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve decision making skills related to teen pregnancy and parenthood
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Unplanned Pregnancy
  • Repeated Pregnancy/Parenthood
  • Parenthood
  • Managing Your Budget
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Pregnancy and Health Skills
  • Complete Ansell Casey Pregnancy Supplement Assessment
  • Complete Pregnancy and Health Skills Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve pre-natal care skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • First Trimester
  • Eating Well
  • Avoidance of Drugs, Harmful substances and chemicals
  • Planning for Birth and Labor
  • Planning for Obtaining Baby Items
  • Second Trimester
  • Coping
  • Health Insurance
  • Third Trimester
  • Reviewing Budget
  • Preparing for Birth and Labor
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Physical and Health Care
  • Complete Physical and Health Care Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve physical and health care skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Caring for Your Newborn
  • Physical Care
  • Hygiene
  • Doctor’s Visits
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Child Safety
  • Complete Safety Skill Assessmen
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve safety skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Car & Home Safety
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Infancy / Dates / Complete / Notes
  • Complete Ansell Casey Parenting Infants Supplement Assessment
  • Complete Infancy Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve parenting skills for my child during infancy
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Responding to Your Child’s Needs and Behaviors
  • Stress
  • Stimulating Your Child’s Development
  • Toys/Play
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Older Babies/Toddlers
  • Complete Ansell Casey Parenting Young Children Supplement Assessment
  • Complete Older Babies/Toddler Skill Assessment
  • Complete AAPI? Send scores to research for scoring
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve parenting
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Common Behaviors
  • Stimulation/Toys
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Children Ages 2-5
  • Complete Ansell Casey Parenting Young Children Supplement Assessment
  • Complete Older Babies/Toddler Skill Assessment
  • Complete AAPI? Send scores to research for scoring
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve parenting
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Common Behaviors
  • Needs
  • Limit Setting
  • Making Choices and Decisions
  • Educational Needs
  • Stimulations/Toys/Reading
  • Choosing a Caretaker for your Child
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Making the World A Batter Place/ Environment
  • Complete Making the World a Better Place Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to improve parenting skills
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Kindness, Not Violent Behaviors
  • Positive Role Modeling
  • Our Environment
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan
Young Parents Guide/ Education and Career Planning For Teen Parents
  • Complete Education & Career Planning for Teen Parents Skill Assessment
  • Complete goal worksheet to work on education and career planning for teen parents
  • Work through appropriate interventions:
  • Develop Education Plan
  • Housing Assessment and Planning
  • Assign Homework
Develop and monitor behavior goals/plan

© Youth Villages1