Tools and Links to Related Materials
Tools
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A helpful tool for caregivers trying to enroll their foster youth in the public school system, this letter outlines the applicable law and what rules school administrators need to follow when enrolling these youth.
Select your district from the scrolling menu or click on the menu title to see all the available letters. |
CA Education Law Fact Sheets 2007
These are the latest facts sheets developed by the CA Foster Youth Education Task Force. Here, you will find the latest legal information about: AB 490, Education Rights, Special Education, Nonpublic Schools (NPS), AB 3632, Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA), Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP), School Discipline, and Special Education Discipline.
Ward of the Court Status Verification
for those Applying for College:
Proof of Foster Care Status
A list of the two types of verification of your foster care status that college student financial aid offices will accept, with explanations.
Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
If you are living with a legal guardian and want to know whether or not you can be considered a "ward of the court" on the FAFSA application, read these guidelines.
Sample Ward of the Court Verification Letter
If you need verification of your "ward of the court" status for the purposes of applying for financial aid for college, give this sample letter to your social worker. This is the only information that the school's financial aid office is required to have.
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Special Programs
Mayor Villaraigosa To Kick Off Summer-Long Gang Reduction
Effort At City Parks
SUMMER NIGHT LIGHTS will keep eight parks in City GRYD zones open after dark, organize sports and arts programs for at-risk youth, and offer kids job opportunities and a safe haven throughout the summer
Download PDF file here: 
HIRE LA’s Youth Employment Program
The City of Los Angeles and the Office of Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa present nine diverse youth programs that strive to provide employment opportunities to youth and young adults from ages 14-24.
Download PDF file here:
Job Fair and Career Expo Tuesday August 5, 2008
Click for details: 
Starbucks Employment Opportunities
Starbucks is conducting pre-screening interviews for part-time positions every Thursday throughout the summer.
Click for details: 
Reports
School or the Streets: Crime and California's Drop-out Crisis
By Fight Crime: Invest in Kids California,
2007
Download PDF file here: 
California Youth Connection Speak Out Report
This report addresses the needs of foster youth in California and provides concrete recommendations for immediate change from the perspectives of current and former foster youth.
Download PDF file here: 
Helping Your Child Succeed in School: An Education Handbook for Parents and Caregivers of Children and Youth in the Foster Care System
Developed in partnership by the Foster Children and Youth Educational Technical Assistance and the Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc., May 2006
Download PDF file here:
Youth in the Los Angeles County Juvenile Justice System: Current Conditions and Possible Directions for Change
By The Los Angeles County Children’s Planning Council, April 2006
Download PDF file here: 
Los Angeles County
Children's Planning Council
Juvenile Justice Recommendations
By The Los Angeles County Children's Planning Council, November 2007
Download PDF file here: Los Angeles County
Children's Planning Council
Higher Education Opportunities for Foster Youth: A Primer for Policymakers
by The Institute for Higher Education Policy, December 2005
Download PDF file here:
Foster Care Education Fact Sheets
developed by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force
Download PDF file here:
AB 490 training materials
Access materials here: 
2003 and 2004 Los Angeles County Education Summit reports
Download 2004 Education Summit Report PDF here:
Download 2003 Education Summit Report PDF here:
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Websites
Click on the name of the Web site to go directly to that site's Home Page.
Children's Planning Council
Information on Service Planning Area (SPA) efforts and ways to connect with local networks. Find latest publications and data on Los Angeles County's children and families.
Chapin Hall
Research on foster and probation youth, including their educational performance and long-term outcomes.
Child Welfare Services - CWS/CMS Reports
Timely and useful data about children in the California Child Welfare System.
Children’s Law Center of Los Angeles
Current information about AB 490, AB 408, and other key legislation affecting foster youth in California, as well as current initiatives and training materials.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Zero to Three
Research on children ages birth to 3 years, public policy initiatives, and training materials.
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Living Advantage, Inc. is a non-profit organization founded by Bernice W. Clay to carry out her mission to help underprivileged youth in areas of special education, severe emotional and behavioral problems, and speech impediments. |
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