Resources for Foster Youth

Health Care

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), former foster youth can receive free Medi-Cal coverage until the age of 26. Former foster youth qualify for coverage regardless of their income.

• Coveredtil26

Young adults qualify for the Medi-Cal program for former foster youth if they:

1. Were in foster care in any state at age 18 or older;
2. Are currently a resident of California; and
3. Are under the age of 26

Medi-Cal coverage includes the following free services:

• Medical care: including preventive and emergency services
• Mental health services and counseling
• Vision exams
• Dental care
• Substance abuse treatment

Financial Aid Guide for Foster Youth

GUIDE from JBAY - https://jbay.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Financial-Aid-Guide-ONLINE-1.5.24.pdf

Housing Resources

Need help with unpaid rent or utilities? - https://housing.ca.gov/ - Housing.gov

LPC Cal Works Department Resouces - LPC resource

https://cacollegepathways.org/housing-resources/ - CA College Pathways.org

Food Resources

The Market here at LPC - free groceries

CalFresh - How to Apply

Employment Resources

Help finding a job - Employment Resources

Scholarship Resources

• Scholarship Resources
• More Scholarship Resources

NextUp

https://nextup.cccco.edu/ - NextUp provides participating current and former foster youth with support and resources while attending a California community college.

Find a Mentor

StudentMentor.org

College students: Get advice from professionals for free.

(Never meet strangers alone - go with a buddy, and if meeting in person always meet in a public place)

California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth Information (888-224-7268) - Free Money for College https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/

If you are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court 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 can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.
https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/foster-youth-students - link to CSAC

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current or former foster youth who was a ward of the court, living in foster care, for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18.
• If you are/were in Kin-GAP, a non-related legal guardianship, or were adopted, you are eligible only if you were a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18.
• Have not reached your 26^th birthday as of July 1^st of the award year.
• Have not participated in the program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive).

Get detailed application and award status information on your Chafee Grant 24 hours/day, 7 days/week! https://chafee.csac.ca.gov/ 

Interactive Voice Response System 1-888-224-7268 or Web Grants for Students.

California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs Operations Branch
California Chafee Grant Program
P.O. Box 419029
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9029
Telephone 888-224-7268 (toll free)

Resources

• Beyond Emancipation
• California College Pathways
• California Foster Youth Education Resource
• California Department of Social Services - Find an office, Cal Fresh, etc.
  http://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/Guide
• California State University - Foster Youth Information
• California Youth Connection
• Casey.org
• Chafee Grant
• Drivers License Information - Foster Youth Resources from fosteryouthhelp.ca.gov
• EOPS - LPC Extended Opportunity Programs & Services
• Eden I&R, Inc. Resources for Alameda County Residents
• Fastweb
• Foster Care to Success
• Foster Club is the national network of young people in foster care.
• Foster Youth Scholarships - United Friends.org
• Fostering Change - Scholarships for Foster Youth
• John Burton Foundation
• Low Income Resources
• Transitional Housing Placement Program

Additional Helpful Websites

211 Bay Area - connecting people to health and disaster information, social services, and referrals through a comprehensive resource database.
• http://www.211bayarea.org/
Most up‐to‐date information on housing opportunities in Bay Area
•https://www.edenhousing.org/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
•https://www.hud.gov/
San Joaquin Housing Program List
•https://communityconnectionssjc.org/services/details/housing/
Housing Authority for San Joaquin
•http://hacsj.com/
More housing websites:
•http://www.hellohousing.org/
•http://www.echofairhousing.org/
•http://www.abodeservices.org/

California Student Aid Commission Resources

• Chafee Grant Fact Sheet - Download
• More Ways to Pay for College Fact Sheet - Download
• California College Pathways - Visit Site
• The Community College Foundation - Visit Site
• California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office - Visit Site
• California Department of Social Services (CDSS) - Visit Site
• CDSS Children and Family Services Division - Visit Site
• CDSS Foster Care Help - Visit Site
• California Youth Connection - Visit Site
• Foster Club - Visit Site
• Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) - Visit Site

For Communications:

California Student Aid Commission Specialized Programs Operations Branch – Chafee
P.O. Box 419027
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027
888-224-7268 (toll free) | 916-464-7977 (fax)
Email: chafee@csac.ca.gov.