Resources for Youth

Educate yourself about the foster care system and process, what to expect while in care, and what your choices are. The following resources can help you understand what to expect when you enter foster care, highlights places where you can find support, and provides useful tools to help you take steps toward independence.

What to expect

What Happens When You Leave Your Home (PDF - 3,696 KB)
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
Explains the process of being placed in foster care to children and youth in a graphic novel format.                                                                                                                      

Kids Voice: Know Your Rights
Kids Voice
Outlines the rights of children and youth in foster care throughout the process, including the foster home experience and court proceedings.

Foster Care Bill of Rights
National Conference of State Legislatures (2016)
Provides information on the development of the Foster Parent’s and Foster Children’s Bill of Rights.

What Is Kinship Care?
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2014)
Explains public and private kinship care, information about the benefits of kinship care, and the types of children in kinship care settings.

Questions for Youth in DCYF Care
Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) Provides answers to some of the most commonly asked questions youth have about the foster care court process and living arrangements.

(Back to Top)

Finding support

Fosterclub.com
Connects, educates, inspires, and represents youth in and from foster care. The website provides information on entering foster care, youth rights in foster care, normalcy, keeping connected to siblings, and youth stories as part of the #FosterEquality campaign.

Foster Care Alumni of America  
Provides a place for youth currently or formerly in foster care to connect with others. The website also includes links to resources on topics including housing, education, health, and mental health.

Know Before You Go
Prepares youth to transition from foster care to living on their own.

(Back to Top)

Toolkits, guides, and additional information

My Family Connections Booklet (PDF - 3,482 KB)
Iowa Foster & Adoptive Parents Association
Provides a detailed photo workbook to facilitate close relationships between children and their birth parents throughout the foster care process.

New Foster Care Transition Toolkit Offers Tips for Helping Foster Youth Succeed as Adults
U.S. Department of Education
Connects to information and resources about Federal guidance on assisting children in foster care within the public school system, including information on educational stability and information sharing.

Financial Empowerment Toolkit for Youth and Young Adults in Foster Care
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau (2014)
Provides child welfare caseworkers, foster parents, and other adults with tools to build their capacity to guide youth in developing their financial capabilities.

The Keys to Your Financial Future Curriculum
The Annie E. Casey Foundation
Builds financial knowledge and skills to enable youth to take on more financial responsibilities.

Health-Care Coverage for Youth in Foster Careā€”and After
Series Title Issue Briefs
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability View
Download (PDF - 452KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published 2015
Reviews the eligibility pathways for children and youth in foster care to receive Medicaid or other health-care coverage and looks at some of the newer benefits now mandated through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), especially those for older youth in or formerly in foster care.

Youth-Led Health Assessment Tool
Youth.gov
Connects to resources about improving the youth-friendliness of health centers.

(Back to Top)