Resources

Information and links on scholarships for foster youth, housing, careers, advocacy and more.

- Adoption.com
  Comprehensive resource for adoption information.
- Allies for Every Child
  Provides a full range of services including foster care and adoption, family support, family preservation and prevention.
- California Association of Adoption Agencies
  Represents licensed public and private adoption agencies that recognize the importance of comprehensive and lifelong services to members.
- California Youth Connection
  An advocacy/youth leadership organization for current and former foster youth.
- Caring for Another Person's Child
  A guide for non-parent caregivers in Los Angeles County (downloadable PDF).
- Casa of Los Angeles
  Supports volunteers who help abused and neglected foster children in court and the community.
- Children's Action Network
  Children’s Action Network (CAN) uses the power of the entertainment community to increase awareness about children’s issues and to make them a top priority in everyday life.
- Foster Club
  National network for youth in foster care.
- Foster Care + Adoptive Community
  Comprehensive resource site for foster and adoptive parents.
- Kinship Center
  Places foster children and infants for adoption.
- My Life My Rights
  Public Counsel's website for Los Angeles foster youth.
- SOS Children's Villages
  Offers an innovative alternative to foster care by providing children with safe, permanent families and homes.
- Commission on Children in Foster Care
  A brief legislative history of the child welfare system published by the Pew Commission.
- California Blue Ribbon Commission
  The Blue Ribbon Commission provides recommendations to the California Judicial Council on ways in which the courts and their partners can improve safety, permanency, well-being, and fairness outcomes for children and families.
- California Foster Youth Education Task Force
  Foster care education fact sheets.
- Casey Family Programs
  Provides an array of services for children and youth, with foster care as its core.
- Center for Families, Children + the Courts
  Involved with many projects related to family, juvenile, child support, custody, visitation and domestic violence law and procedure.
- Chapin Hall
  An independent policy research center at the University of Chicago whose mission is to build knowledge that improves policies and programs for children and youth, families, and their communities.
- Child Trends
  Nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization.
- Child Welfare Indicators Project
  A collaboration between the California Department of Social Services and University of California at Berkeley.
- Child Welfare Information Gateway
  Provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families.
- Child Welfare League of America
  An association of more than 1,100 public and private nonprofit agencies that assist over 3.5 million abused and neglected children and their families each year with a wide range of services.
- Children's Bureau
  Children's Bureau is committed to providing vulnerable children -- especially in the early years -- the foundation necessary to become caring and productive adults.
- Children's Defense Fund
  Provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby or speak for themselves.
- Crystal Stairs
  Dedicated to improving the lives of families through child care services, research and advocacy. Provides affordable childcare resources and referrals.
- Healthy City
  Information and advocacy resource for underserved youth and families.
- LA County Transition Age Youth Report
  Programs, data and recommendations.
- Little Hoover Commission
  Investigates state government operations and — through reports, recommendations and legislative proposals — promotes efficiency, economy and improved services.
- National Center for Youth Law
  Using the law to help children in need.
- Los Angeles Foster Youth Resources
  Do you want to stay current on resources for Transition Age Foster Youth in Los Angeles County? Check out the below social media pages, which post updates regularly about: Resources for foster youth and the general community, job listings, job training programs, employment fairs, resume help, scholarship opportunities & other educational resources, free events and giveaways, housing & shelter information, health, wellness & mental health, reminders for important deadlines, such as FAFSA, college apps & taxes
  
  Information
  
  Instagram: @LA_Foster_Youth_Resources Facebook: @LAFosterYouth Twitter: @LAFosterYouth
- ABC's of Transition
  Information manual for transitioning foster youth and their caregivers
- LA County Independent Living
  General ILP info for L.A. County.
- My Life My Rights
  Public Counsel's website for Los Angeles foster youth.
- Casey Family Programs
  Assisting youth as they make the transition from foster care into their communities.
- Foster Care Transition Toolkit
  Resources and assistance needed to achieve stability and independence.
- Best Colleges
  A comprehensive database containing information on 7,595 schools to help with your search for the best colleges and universities.
- California Student Aid Commission
  State, federal, and institutional financial aid information for funding post-high school education, including Chafee Grant specifically for (ILP eligible) former foster youth.
- Cash for College
  Collaborative of business, government and community based organizations that support College Access and financial aid opportunities for Los Angeles area students.
- CollegeBoard
  Everything you need to know about applying to college.
- College Futures Foundation
  Giving students with financial needs a chance to advance their education.
- Comcast
  Comcast is providing free internet access to low income families.
- Common Scholarship Scams to Avoid
  Learn how to avoid common scholarship scams.
- Community College Foundation
  Dedicated to the advancement of education as a catalyst and strategy for improving the lives and well being of people.
- Comprehensive Scholarship Website
  Lists a variety of grant opportunities.
- EducationGrant
  Online research tool to help you find the financial aid resources that can help you pay for your college education.
- Fastweb
  One of the largest and most respected free scholarship search sites on the Internet.
- Federal Student Aid
  Federal financial assistance—grants, loans and work-study programs—for education beyond high school.
- Federal Student Aid
  Federal grant application site and financial aid info.
- FinAid's Guide to Scholarships
  Great overview to begin your online scholarship research.
- FinAid's Unique Scholarships
  Site listing unusual scholarships available.
- Financial Aid Facts
  Free scholarship and financial aid information.
- Foster Care to Success
  Offers scholarships specifically for former foster youth pursuing their degrees.
- Fulfillment Fund
  Dedicated to ensuring advanced education for disadvantaged youth.
- GradSchools.com
  Grad school search.
- Graduate School Funding
  Financial aid information, provided by onlinemastersprograms.org, to help pay for graduate school.
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
  Represents more than 350 colleges committed to Hispanic higher education.
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
  Focused on advancing college education among Hispanic Americans, HSF provides the Latino community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country.
- iFoster
  Become a member for access to resources, an online personal assistant, and job opportunities.
- KnowHow2GO
  Learn the necessary steps to get to college.
- Los Angeles Community College District
  Represents nine campuses throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
- Point Foundation Grants
  Point Foundation empowers promising LGBTQ students to achieve their full academic and leadership potential – despite the obstacles often put before them – to make a significant impact on society.
- ST Math
  Free access to virtual math resources for students in grades K-8.
- The California State University
  Cal State search.
- Ultimate FAFSA Resource Guide
  Use the trusted sites in this guide to help you navigate the FAFSA and the world of federal student aid.
- United Negro College Fund
  The nation’s largest, oldest, most successful and most comprehensive minority higher education assistance organization.
- University of California
  UC search.
- LA Food Bank: Food Pantry Locator
  Enter your address in this website to find your local food pantry
- CalFresh
  CalFresh, known federally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-income.
- Aaron Ruben Scholarship Fund
  The scholarship is administered by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
- CBCF General Mills Health Scholarship
  Multiple scholarships available for students that demonstrate leadership ability through exemplary community service and academic talent.
- Celebration
  Participants become eligible for a number of scholarships by attending the Celebration graduation event sponsored by LA County DCFS and UFC.
- Chafee Grant Program
  $5,000 renewable award for former/current foster youth towards vocational/college expenses
- Change a Life Foundation
  Non-renewable scholarship for up to $5,000
- College Scholarships and Award Displacement
  This article answers common questions about how applying for private scholarships may lead to award displacement
- California Children and Family Services Division
  Assistance in adoptions, foster care, children's services and child welfare.
- California Department of Social Services
  Provides aid, services and protection to needy children and adults.
- California Legislature
  Provides recent information on California legislature.
- Los Angeles County
  Information and resources for Los Angeles County residents.
- Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services
  Serving youth, parents and the community.
- Alcoholics Anonymous
  A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
- Domestic Violence Council
  The Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council provides leadership in the creation and support of a victim-centered, countywide, and coordinated approach to prevent and respond to domestic violence.
- ILP Online Healthcare Section
  Offers resources for Medi-Cal
- LA County Department of Mental Health
  Resource for people seeking mental health information, help and support.
- Medi-Cal
  Information regarding enrollment in Medi-Cal insurance.
- Narcotics Anonymous
  Narcotics Anonymous offers recovery to addicts around the world focusing on the disease of addiction rather than any particular drug.
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline
  A free, 24-hour hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. 1-800-273-TALK.
- Pacific Clinics
  Provides field-based services and substance abuse/mental health treatment to young adults who are homeless, recently emancipated, recently incarcerated or otherwise at high risk.
- Planned Parenthood
  Provides easy, affordable access to reproductive health care.
- Rape Treatment Center
  A safe, anonymous place to receive support and services after a sexual assualt. In-person assistance as well as a confidential 24 hour phone hotline.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline
  SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357), (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information.
- Virtual AA Meetings
  The OIAA Directory features 1000+ online AA meetings worldwide, ranging from video or telephone conferences to email or chat groups in many languages.
- Apartmentlist.com/ca/los-angeles
  Apartment rental search.
- Apartments.com
  Apartment rental search.
- A Sense of Home
  First-ever home environments for youth aging out of foster care with donated furniture and home goods
- C.H.A.I.N. Reaction Inc.
  Offers transitional housing for emancipated foster and probation youth.
- Covenant House
  Addresses immediate needs for youth such as food, shelter and referrals.
- DCFS Transitional Housing Program
  Offers furnished apartments for foster youth at risk of homelessness.
- ForRent.com
  Apartment rental search.
- Good Shepherd Center
  For homeless women and children.
- Hathaway-Sycamores
  Offers transitional housing.
- HealthyCity.org
  Emergency shelter search.
- Hillsides
  Offers a 24-month transitional housing program for former foster youth.
- Homes for Life
  Provides permanent housing for homeless mentally ill people
- City of Los Angeles Housing Resource Center
  Helping residents find affordable and accessible Housing in Los Angeles
- LA County Housing Authority
  Public and other affordable housing properties located throughout Los Angeles County.
- Los Angeles LGBT Center
  Youth homeless center on Highland.
- Move.com
  Apartment rental search.
- New Image Emergency Shelter
  New Image operates seven programs and provides numerous supportive services throughout several facilities.
- Optimist Youth Homes + Family Services
  Offers transitional housing for females.
- Pathways Housing
  UFC's housing program for former foster and probation youth.
- Penny Lane
  Offers transitional housing.
- Rescue Mission Alliance
  Offering refuge, recovery and restoration.
- Richstone Family Center
  Offers, among other programs, a residential program for female emancipated foster youth.
- Rosemary Children's Services
  Housing for female foster teens age 13-18.
- Safe Parking LA
  The Safe Parking Program provides vehicle dwellers with a safe and legal place to park and sleep at night.
- Sanctuary of Hope
  6 bed scattered-site independent living program in the Crenshaw/Slauson area for former foster and probation youth, ages 18-21.
- Santa Monica YWCA
  Offers a transitional housing and education program for young women.
- Section 8 Housing
  Housing subsidy for eligible low-income families residing in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County.
- St. Anne's
  Transitional Housing Program for emancipating young women and their children.
- THP-Plus
  Supportive housing for current and former foster youth.
- Union Rescue Mission
  Offering emergency services.
- LA City Emergency Renters Assistance Program
  The program allocates $103,000,000 to provide a rent subsidy to Los Angeles City renters impacted by the COVID-19 health pandemic and is anticipated to assist 50,000 Los Angeles households.
  
  Deadline
  
  July 17, 2020
  
  Information
  
  The subsidy will provide a grant of up to $1,000 per month to cover the monthly lease rent (based on the rent paid as of March 1, 2020), with a maximum of $2,000 per household.
  
  Eligibility
  
  Visit the website to see if you are eligible to apply!
- CA Economic & Workforce Development Department
  Search for jobs, connect with advisors online in real time, and find more job loss resources.
- California Employment Development Dept.
  Provides a comprehensive range of employment and training services in partnership with state and local agencies and organizations.
- Job Corps
  Job training program for at risk youth.
- Los Angeles Conservation Corps
  Employs youth for community enhancement projects.
- JobScoop
  Non-profit employment search.
- The Simple Dollar
  An 6-step employment guide to landing your next job.
- Workforce Development Board
  Provides services for youth job seekers.
- WorkSource
  Resource centers in the Los Angeles area providing job search assistance and training.
- YouthSource Centers
  YouthSource is a city-wide program open to young people ages 16-24. All of our services are FREE! Some of the opportunities our centers offer include: Work readiness, career exploration, job skills training, tutoring and computer training, college prep and mentoring and counseling.
- Being the Advocate
  - AB 12 Primer
  - Ed Law Fact Sheet 2010
- Bridging College Access
  - KnowHow2GO
  - College Prep Requirements
- Children's Law Center
  Represents abused, neglected or abandoned children.
- Alliance for Children's Rights
  Protects the rights and futures of abused and impoverished children in Los Angeles.
- Public Counsel
  The largest pro bono law firm in the United States.
- Evacuation Updates and Other Emergency Information
  For the latest fire evacuation updates and other emergency information. Para obtener las últimas actualizaciones sobre evacuación en caso de incendio y otra información de emergencia
- Watch Duty
  Map tracking fires and evacuation notices.
- Los Angeles Fire Department Alerts
  Updates from the Los Angeles Fire Department regarding the current wildires.
- LAUSD Mental Health Hotline
  213-241-3840
- Recovery
  Find LA County department resources to assist with recovering from disaster.

For youth applications

Applications and resources for current and former foster youth.