Are you aware of your rights? Take a look at The Foster Child Bill of Rights, established by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. This comprehensive document outlines the rights of children and youth in foster care, guiding the department and its providers in delivering care and services that prioritize permanency, safety, and well-being. The Foster Child Bill of Rights was developed in collaboration with the Department’s Youth Advisory Board.
Are you seeking a mentor? Explore Adoption and Foster Care Mentoring, an invaluable resource.
- VStreet focuses on life skills development! Delve into their online curriculum, which covers topics such as apartment hunting, financial literacy, medical care, managing anger, and personal efficacy. Their engaging curriculum includes cartoons and real-life stories. Users have personalized rooms, email addresses, appointment calendars, and private journals. The platform also features an art gallery with poetry and discussion boards. Agency members can manage their own communities, monitor progress, add lessons, and establish a genuine network among youth.
- Foster Club’s Transitions Toolkit: FosterClub, a national network dedicated to supporting young people in foster care, has developed the FosterClub Transition Toolkit. This toolkit aids youth in creating a personalized plan for transitioning into adulthood. It encourages youth to collaborate with supportive adults, such as foster parents, teachers, or mentors, to assess their assets, identify resources, and plan for life after foster care. The toolkit includes a “Readiness Scale” for tracking progress in areas like finances, education, self-care, health, career, and life skills.
- Kids’ Clubhouse offers programs in various settings, catering to children who have experienced the loss of siblings, parents, or loved ones. They also provide presentations and in-services to the community.
- iFoster’s Discount Program provides financial relief and growth opportunities for individuals in foster care. Through their free Member Discount Program, iFoster offers substantial discounts at national and local retailers, grocery stores, healthcare providers (dental and vision), restaurants, movie theaters, and attractions. With over 60,000 discounts available and new ones added regularly, the program can save the average household over $4,500 per year. Transition age foster youth (ages 16 to 21), families (foster, resource, kin, guardian, adoptive), and organizations supporting children in foster care are encouraged to become members and start saving.
- AdoptUSKids shares success stories from foster care alumni on their website. AdoptUSKids has a dual mission: raising public awareness about the need for foster and adoptive families for children in the public child welfare system, and assisting U.S. States, Territories, and Tribes in recruiting and retaining foster and adoptive families, ultimately connecting them with children.
- Check out Teen Central Net: Sometimes you need an outlet to express what’s on your mind. With Teen Central, you can confidentially share your problems, issues, and stories. A counselor will respond within 24 hours, providing support and guidance. Try it out!
- Youth Communication: Youth Communication creates short, nonfiction stories that resonate with hard-to-reach teens. Teachers and adults utilize these stories and related lessons to help students improve their reading and writing skills while developing social and emotional skills essential for academic success.
- Interested in reading books by individuals who have had similar experiences? Consider “Things Happen For A Reason: Even Foster Care and Adoption” by Kimberly Snodgrass, a successful foster care alumni and Harvard graduate.
These resources are designed to empower you and provide support on your journey. Remember, you’re not alone, and there are people and organizations dedicated to helping you thrive.
