Resources and Links Compiled by the NYS Citizen's Coalition for Children
|
|
|
|
Resources and Links Compiled by the NYS Citizen's Coalition for Children |
|
Especially For Kids
NYS Handbook for Youth in Foster Care Describes your rights and responsibilities while you are in foster care. It also describes what happens when you are older and leave foster care. It represents minimum New York State requirements, but your county or agency may have some additional rules.
Youth In Progress ("YIP") All about NY State's Foster Care Youth Leadership Team. Site includes "What's Poppin" newsletter, information about upcoming YIP meetings and events, and resource links.
Lawyers for Children: Your Rights in Foster Care, Newsletter and More
Your Rights in Care: The Service Plan Review / Uniform Care Record Process (PDF)
Know Your Rights: Answers to FAQ by Atty. Betsy Krebs of the Youth Advocacy Center.
Foster Club: "The Club Just for Foster Kids."
FYI3: Involved, Informed and Independent - Foster Club's new site for youth over 14.
Help Getting Heard: Forms from FYI to inform adults about your opinions… pick a form, download it, fill it out, then give it to your caseworker or foster parent.
Represent: A bi-monthly magazine written by and for young people in foster care.
The Mockingbird Times: A monthly newspaper designed and produced by young people who are currently, or have in the past been, involved in the Washington State foster care/group home
Youth Advocacy Center: Dedicated to teaching young adults to advocate for themselves and take control of their lives.
More Precious than Gold - Voices of Foster Care Youth: A summary of focus group interviews with foster care youth in West Virginia.
Adoption Clubhouse - From the National Adoption Center. Activities and information to connect children to the wider adoption community of peers.
The Runaway Switchboard - A resource for teenagers who have or are thinking about running away from home. 24 hour hotline providing crisis intervention, support and refferal to helping services. All calls are CONFIDENTIAL AND FREE 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Teen Central - Online Counseling for Teens on a website designed for teens by teens. Features an anonymous log-on providing total privacy, as well as professional monitoring and counseling advice.
Law for Kids - This web site is for kids in New York State who are interested in the law and how it effects them. It is an interactive site in that you can submit questions you have about the law and real attorneys will answer them
Resources for Parents and Advocates of Any Age
NYS Adolescent Services Resource Network - A resource for service providers working with adolescents in foster care throughout the state. The Network was created by, and is maintained through, contracts between member organizations and the NYS OCFS/Bureau of Training. Includes an on-line library, a life skills toolbox, information about NYS eductional and training vouchers, and links to training/technical assistance reources.
Preparing Youth For Development - NY City's plan for strengthening the efforts of Children's Services and its provider agenies to achieve positive outcomes for NYC youth in and transitioning out of foster care. PDF format.
"My Life, My Voice, My Future": Involving Youth in Family Court - Workshop outline and handouts from a 2006 NYSCCC conference presentation by Sue Badeau & Madelyn Freundlich. Includes tips for foster parents and preparing kids for court.
caseylifeskills.org : This site provides resources to help prepare youths for living on their own. Free and easy to use tools to help young people prepare for adulthood. The life skills assessments provide instant feedback. Customized learning plans provide a clear outline of next steps, and the accompanying teaching resources are available for free or at a minimal cost.
The National Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children's Mental Health: A huge site dedicated to promoting effective services for families and children with emotional, behavioral or mental health disorders. Resources for kids, parents and advocates.
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative: A national effort to help youth in foster care make successful transitions to adulthood. Inlcudes information Opportunity Passport program which helps participants learn financial management; obtain experience with the banking system; save money for education, housing, health care, and other specified expenses; and gain streamlined access to educational, training, and vocational opportunities.
Empire State Coalition of Youth and Family Services: Legal issues affecting New York State runaway, homeless or youth aging out of foster care,
National Child Welfare Resource Center for Youth Development: Helping adolescents through the effective implementation of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and other related programs. Includes state by state fact pages with information on state coordinators, administration of Chafee dollars, services for youth over 18, downloadable curriculums for training for workers of adolescents transitioning from foster care, and more.
New Education Law to Aid Adopted Foster Care Teens
Orphan Foundation of America: Providing opportunities for America's foster youth to continue their education including scholarships and mentoring programs.
State by State College Tuition Waiver and Scholarship Programs from NACAC
Statement of the National Youth Advisory Council: The members of the National Foster Youth Advisory Council (NFYAC) believe that every young person aging out of foster care is entitled to a wide array of supports, resources, and services to ensure safe, stable, and affordable housing upon discharge.
Casey Family Programs: Publications, online tools, videos, and training events to encourage innovation and collaboration across agencies that serve youth. Includes the It's MY Life companion guides, a framework for assisting young adults to envision and achieve success in adulthood, and Frequently Asked Questions I, II, and III to assist young people to use and understand the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and Education and Training Vouchers.
NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc.
410 East Upland Road • Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0034 • fax 607-272-0035
office@nysccc.org
01/31/2008