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“Education: a debt due from present to future generations.” -George Peabody

Foster & Homeless Youth Services

Our Mission:

We believe that all students are capable of academic achievement, but research shows that foster youth are more likely to experience barriers to a full and complete education. It is our goal to ensure that Tehama County foster youth are given the opportunity to succeed through educational advocacy, tutoring, mentoring, and assistance with the transition to independent living.

Assembly Bill 490—Ensures that Foster Youth have the following:

• Access to the same educational opportunities and resources as other students
• Increased stability of school placements
• Immediate enrollment even when records are not available
• Timely transfer of student records
• Calculation of full or partial credit for coursework by schools the student has attended
• Education placement decisions that are determined by the youth’s best interest

Foster & Homeless Youth Services can provide:

• Educational Case Management
• Enrollment assistance
• Assistance with Records Transfers
• Transcript Review
• Tutoring and Assessments
• Special Education Advocacy
• College and Career Interest Assessment
• Provision of School Supplies
• Training and Outreach

School Support

A free and appropriate public education is the right of every young person, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.

If you move often, keep copies of school and immunization records, ask about school services such as lunch programs, special education, and transportation, and enroll your children as soon as possible.

Websites and Resources:

• FAFSA
• Information on CHAFEE from the application to checking on the status of an application
• Cal Grant Information
• Shasta College
• Butte College

Websites and Resources:

• Bust’n Out is a website dedicated to helping youth find their way in life. This site provides links to California Youth Connection & local Independent Living Programs, and is an information resource for all youth, foster and emancipated. www.fosteryouth.com
• California State Department of Education—Resources related to foster youth services programs including Web links, reports, etc.
  http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/pf/fy/resources.asp
• Tehama County Department of Social Services, Children’s Protective Services—24 hour Hotline 1-800-323-7711
• Foster Care Help-Line—1-877-846-1602
• Northern Valley Catholic Social Services
• Foster Club Website

Homelessness should not be a Barrier to Education

Who Counts as a “Homeless” Student?

The Federal Government’s legal definition of homelessness is based upon the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act as anyone who:

• Lacks a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence
• Is sharing housing due to economic struggles
• Is living in a public place not designed for sleeping or permanent residence (cars, parks, shelter or motel)
• Is an unaccompanied youth
• Is a youth awaiting foster care placement
• Is a migrant youth who qualifies under any of the above

Youth Have Rights to:

• Enroll in school without proper documentation/immunization records
• Attend classes while educational records are being located and transferred
• Remain in their school of origin
• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address
• Receive transportation to and from school

Websites and Resources:

• National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
• National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
• California Department of Education Homeless Children & Youth Education
• National Runaway Switchboard—1-800-621-4000; www.nrscrisisline.org
• Tehama County Youth Hotline—1-800-833-0363

Planning for Your Future - Make It on Your Own!

The goal of the Independent Living Skills Program is to enable eligible youth to achieve self sufficiency prior to leaving the Foster Care support system. This is accomplished through a variety of independent living skills assessments, trainings & a written transitional independent living plan (TILP).

Independent Living Program (includes After Care Case Management until age 21)
Learn How To:

• Search for & Maintain an Apartment
• Open & Maintain a Bank Account
• Learn How to Budget for Monthly Expenses
• Apply for a Job/How to Interview
• Maintain a Job and Have Good Work Habits
• Connect with Community Resources
• Prepare for College
• Apply & Search for College Financial Aid

Project Connect/Foster Youth Services

• We can also provide assistance until the age of 21 for youth who qualify.
• Employment Opportunities
• Job Corps—This is a open entry/exit program offering education and job skills training to youth 16 to 21 who are willing to relocate for the training. For more information please go to www.jobcorps.org
• AmeriCorps—Please go to www.americorps.org or call 1-800-942-2677
• Cal. Conservation Corps— www.ccc.ca.gov

Foster Youth Services at Local Community Colleges

For a complete listing of all California Community Colleges: www.cccco.edu/Portals/4/SS/FA/FA_07-08/2008_fysi_liaisons_contact_list_alpha_by_college_060308.xls

Getting Into and Paying for College:

• Guardian Scholars Program:(714)619-0200
• Chafee Grant:www.chafee.csac.ca.gov

“No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.”
-Emma Goldman

Additional Resources:

• Assembly Bill 490 Resources (AB490)
• McKinney-Vento 2001
• Tehama County Health Partnership