Resources for Current &

Former Foster Youth

This list is a work in progress. If you have programs to suggest to add to this page, please contact us. 

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Crisis Hotlines

  • Need help? You can text SHELTER and your ZIP code (for example, SHELTER 90210) to the phone number 99000 
    from anywhere in the nation and receive a response with a local safe shelter to go to. 

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or online chat

  • National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE (4673)

  • National Domestic Violence/Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 77054

  • National Child Abuse Helpline: 1-800-422-4453

  • Center for the Prevention of School Violence: 1-800-299-6504

  • Pregnancy National Helpline: 1-800-356-5761

  • National Association for Children of Alcoholics: 1-888-55-4COAS (1-888-554-2627)

  • Alcohol/Drug Abuse Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

  • Be Sober Hotline: 1-800-BE-SOBER (1-800-237-6237)

  • Self-Injury Support: 1-800-DONT CUT (1-800-366-8288) 

  • Eating Disorders Center: 1-888-236-1188

  • Panic Disorder Information and Support: 1-800-64-PANIC (1-800-647-2642)

  • TalkZone (Peer Counselors): 1-800-475-TALK (1-800-475-2855)

  • Dial 2-1-1: Nationwide, free & confidential referral and information helpline and website that connects people from all communities and of all ages to the essential health and human services they need, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  • Safe Haven Baby Crisis Hotline: 1-888-510-BABY. For parents unable to care for their newborn infants. 

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Legal Resources

  • Advokids: Free legal helpline for asking the judge to make new decisions about your life, new decisions about your relationship with your brothers or sisters in foster care or reporting a problem with your attorney or social worker. Helpline: 877.238.4543. Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 4:30pm

 

Resources for Homeless Foster Youth & Youth in Crisis

 

Health Care 

The Affordable Care Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2014, requires states to provide free health care insurance to former foster youth until age 26. 

 

Resources for Parents or Expecting Foster Youth

  • TeenParent.net: For foster youth who are expecting or parenting, find out how you can get the things you need and the people who can help you get them. 

  • National Diaper Bank Network: Directory of diaper banks by state that distribute diapers to families.

  • Funded Child Care & Development Options (California): List of different State and Federally funded programs that help families pay for child care.

  • National Safe Haven Baby Directory by State: When a parent cannot care of an infant, it is legal for the parent to leave an unharmed infant with a designated private person so that the child becomes a ward of the state. This assures that a baby is not left in an unsafe place. The Safe Haven Crisis Hotline is also always available:1-888-510-BABY.

  • Financial Assistance for Single Mothers:  Grants and Financial Support for Single Mothers in 50 States

 

Free Psychotherapy & Healing Help for Current & Former Foster Youth

  • A Home Within: volunteer network of therapists. Request help by calling 888-898-2249 or click here

  • Male Survivor: resources for male survivors of sexual violence.

  • iSurvive.org: Resources and forums where adult survivors of child abuse and their loved ones can seek support.

  • Treatment for Addiction. Online directory of programs for all types of addiction.

  • National Domestic Violence site provides resources about domestic violence or those questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.

 

​Access to Free Educational Resources Online

Companies are desperate to hire employees with degrees/skills in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (called STEM). Take control of your destiny and take advantage of free online courses to increase your employability or get introduced to/try out these fields.

  • Bergwall On Demand: Online Video Courses for the Vocational Trades. More

  • Codecademy: Companies are DYING for coders. There aren't enough of them. This group provides a free resource to help you get familiarized with many of the most popular coding languages. More

  • Kahn Academy: Math, science, computer programming, history, art, economics, and even more free online classes. More

  • MIT OpenCourseWare (MIT OCW) is an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to put all of the educational materials from its undergraduate- and graduate-level courses online, partly free and openly available to anyone, anywhere. More

  • HTML5 Rocks is a Google project, with Google pro contributors bringing you the latest updates, resource guides, and slide decks for all things HTML5.The language tends to be higher level, so it's probably more suited to those with some previous experience. However, ambitious newbies are still welcome. More

  • Coursera: The king of online education, offers free classes from dozens of universities across the country, with a healthy smattering of coding classes for those with the desire to learn. More

  • Android Training for Developers

  • The Ten Best Ways to Get Free College Courses -- websites that offer free online courses or Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). (Hey Avery, thanks for recommending this one!)

  • COVIDnineTeen -- The Covid NineTEEN project provides FREE teen-led activities and one-on-one tutoring meant to support elementary school students. Our teen mentors help keep children motivated and take stress off of parents.

  • Varsity Tudors: Nearly 200 free, live K-12 classes available all day long intended to help parents fill their children’s day with enriched learning. 

  • Youth Promise: Online tutoring and educational services for under-served youth
     

 

Other Resources

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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