Nurture. Thrive. Repeat.
To report child abuse in Los Angeles County, contact the Child Protection Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Toll-free within California, phone (800) 540-4000. If calling from outside of California, phone (213) 639-4500 TDD [Hearing Impaired] (800) 272-6699.
Provides 24-hour counseling service, information and referrals for all areas of California regarding medical services, shelters, crisis centers, AIDS testing, and transportation info.
Provides 24-hour information, referrals and assistance to any youth in crisis.
Provides 24-hour assistance, information, and referrals to youth who have run away and for other youth in crisis. Live Chat: www.1800runaway.org
A national 24-hour suicide prevention helpline for gay and questioning youth.
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Youth Talkline provides telephone, online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support, as well as factual information and local resources. They speak with teens and young adults up to age 25 about coming-out issues, relationship concerns, parent issues, school problems, HIV/AIDS anxiety and safer-sex information, and more. All services are free and confidential.
Email: [email protected] website: http://www.youthtalkline.org HOURS: Monday – Friday from 1pm to 9pm; Saturday from 9am to 2pm
The Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman can help youth in foster care with most issues, such as a violation of rights. You can contact the DCFS Ombudsman office at (626) 938-1763 or the State Ombudsman office at (800) 847-1602 or visit www.fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov. If you are ages 16 and older, you can contact the Emancipation Program Ombudsperson, Berisha Black at (626) 229-3829.
Current and former foster youth can receive many services at the California One-Stop Career Centers in their community, including but not limited to paid and unpaid work experience, occupational skills training, summer employment, and help with GED and other high school alternatives. You can search and find One Stop Centers in your community at the following site: http://www.careeronestop.org or explore the sites Get My Future page at http://www.careeronestop.org/GetMyFuture/index.aspx
The goal of the ILP is to assist youth ages 16-21 in foster care transition successfully to a life after foster care. Youth are helped in the area of life skills training, education, employment and housing. To learn more, call (213) 351-0100 or (213) 351-0101 or visit the website: www.ilponline.org.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA is the application for college assistance used to determine eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs. Fill out the application for FAFSA to see what help and benefits you can get. All students interested in financial aid for college will need to complete this form. If you are confused about what to report on the FAFSA or have questions on FAFSA completion, you can call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-4243) for help. Visit the website at https://fafsa.ed.gov
If you are or were in foster care and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states. Visit the website at www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/
Provides five $1000 scholarships to foster youth each year. Visit the website at http://nfpaonline.org/nfpascholarship
Provides 106 $22,000 scholarships each year. Visit the website at https://scholars.horatioalger.org
Offers scholarships of between $2,500-5,000. Use the same application to see if you might qualify for related scholarships on their website: http://www.fc2success.org/our-programs/information-for-students/
For current and former foster youth interested in going to college, this website provides information on planning for college, paying for college, scholarships, housing, grants and scholarships. Visit the website at http://www.cacollegepathways.org
Find information and resources to support your education, such as free/low cost tutoring and financial aid and college resource guides. Visit the website at http://dcfs.lacounty.gov/edu/aboutus.html
Youth Emerging Stronger (YES)
The goal of the program is to provide youth in crisis with temporary shelter and supportive services to assist them in seeking safe, suitable long term housing options. Los Angeles Youth Network is a SAFE SPACE. LGBTQ youth and youth of all races, ethnicities, and religions are welcome. Visit the website at http://www.layn.org/need-help
Los Angeles, CA (Hollywood) Shelter Hours: 24 hours Tel: 323.240.2253 Main Office 1853 Taft Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90028 Tel: 323-467-8466
Runaway and Homeless Youth Program
This program offers transitional living and maternity group home programs to provide supportive services and housing to runaway and homeless youth. The Transitional Living Program provides long-term residential services to homeless youth ages 16 to 22, while also providing supportive services to help youth make a successful transition to self-sufficient living. For pregnant or parenting youth, the Maternity Group Home (MGH) Program supports homeless pregnant and/or parenting young people between the ages of 16 and 22, as well as their dependent children. For additional information, visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/fysb/programs/runaway-homeless-youth
Foster system re-entry.
If you’re under 21 and need a home, you may be able to re-enter foster care. Contact LA County DCFS at (213) 351-0100 or (213) 351-0101
Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs (HVCs)
Sometimes referred to as Section 8, these programs are housing assistance programs for low-income individuals and families funded by HUD and administered by local public housing agencies (PHAs). To learn more and for information on eligibility and the application process, visit HUD’s website: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance /phprog
See the factsheet, Health Care Coverage for Youth in Foster Care—and After—to learn more about health care options available to youth in foster care: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/health_care_foster.pdf
All youth in foster care are eligible for Medi-Cal and have the right to receive needed medical and dental care while in foster care and after they emancipate The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides a new required eligibility pathway for Medicaid for youth formerly in foster care. The ACA mandate covers older youth no longer in foster care so they may continue to receive Medicaid until their 26th birthday. The provision applies to individuals under age 26 who were both enrolled in Medicaid and in foster care under the care when they reach age 18. For questions about Medi-Cal eligibility and medical/dental bills, contact the Medi-Cal Hotline at 916-636-1980. For more information about Medicaid, visit the website at: http://www.medicaid.gov/ State-Resource-Center/Downloads/Medicaid-and-CHIP-FAQs-Coverage-of- Former-Foster-Care-Children.pdf
To learn about strategies and approaches for preventing teen pregnancy, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health- topics/reproductive-health/teen-pregnancy/strategies-and- approaches.html
Pregnancy/Parenting Teens
To learn more about pregnancy and childbearing, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health-topics/reproductive-health/teen-pregnancy/.
To learn about available resources for pregnant and parenting teens, visit: http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent- health-topics/reproductive-health/teen-pregnancy/need-help.html.
Provides free and low-cost mental health services. For assistance, call 1-800-6622-HELP or visit: https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov
This toolkit was designed with constant feedback from youth in foster care and stakeholders from across the country, to inspire current and former youth in foster care to pursue college and career opportunities. The toolkit includes tips and resources intended to help youth in foster care access and navigate social, emotional, educational, and resource barriers as they transition into adulthood. Access the toolkit here http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/foster-care/youth-transition-toolkit.pdf
Youth Today
Youth Today is a nationally distributed newspaper that covers issues including job training, education, child welfare, grants, juvenile justice, etc. Visit the website at http://youthtoday.org/CDSS Resource Directory
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