Emancipating youth are confronted with many challenges as they prepare to live independently. Substance abuse is one major barrier that many foster youth face as they prepare to emancipate from the child welfare system. The purpose of this project was to design a pre-emancipation substance abuse prevention program for adolescents who are currently in, or who have in the past been, in the foster care system, to identify potential funding sources, and to complete the grant application for the identified funder. The proposed program is based on an empirically supported substance abuse prevention program, The Fairfax Leadership and Resiliency Program, which has produced consistent, replicable results in substance abuse prevention. Included in the program goals and outcomes are indicated components of successful emancipation and substance abuse prevention programs. The program promotes youth development, reduces risk-taking behaviors, and builds on assets and coping strategies. The program focuses on cultural competency and utilizes activities that honor participants' diverse backgrounds. Actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not required for successful completion of this thesis.