If you are in immediate danger and have access to a phone, please dial 9-1-1 to reach police and get help. You matter and there is help out there!
Support and help that foster care survivors can use.
- NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Available 24/7 for support.
Call 1-800-273-TALK [8255]. Or Dial 5-8-8 - 1800RUNAWAY.ORG: Home free program is where greyhound helps runaways reunite with family across the U.S.
www.1800RUNAWAY.org
Available 24/7. 1-800-RUNAWAY [86-2929] - FBI MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN HOTLINE: Get help if you need to report something or find support.
https://www.missingkids.org/ - 24-hr SAFEline –SAFE PLACE: Thousands of immediate safe spaces for crisis.
TEXT “SAFE” to 737-888-7233.
CALL 512-267-SAFE [7233]
www.safeplace.org - COVENANT HOUSE: Emergency shelter, training programs, transitional living, crisis care, support services for AGES 16-22.
1-800-388-3888
www.covenanthouse.org - CALIFORNIA YOUTH CRISIS: Counseling and mental health services
1-800-843-5200
www.calyouth.org - NATIONAL FOSTER YOUTH INSTITUTE (NFYI): Advocacy and resources for foster youth including guides for accessing federal services
www.nfyi.org - FEDERAL STUDENT AID FOR FOSTER YOUTH (FASFA): Foster youth are considered independent students qualifying them for the maximum services.
www.studentaid.gov - JOB CORPS: A free residential education and job training program for youth AGES 16-24 including foster kids
www.jobcorps.gov - MEDICAID AND HEALTH INSURANCE: For foster youth who age out foster care you are eligible for Medicaid until the AGE OF 26.
www.medicaid.gov - FOSTER CARE TO SUCCESS: Provides scholarships, grants, and support for foster youth in higher education.
www.fc2success.org - NATIONAL YOUTH IN TRANSITION DATABASE (NYTD): Tracks the outcomes and provides information for services available to transitioning foster youth.
www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/research-data-technology/reporting-systems/nytd - JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD: Offers support with housing, education, employment, and financial literacy for foster youth AGED 14-26.
www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/programs/ - EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHER (EVT) PROGRAM: Provides up to 5000 annually for education and training for current and former foster youth AGED 14-26.
www.fc2sprograms.org/ - SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP): Provides funds to help individuals and families purchase food. Foster youth transitioning out or living in independent living programs usually qualify.
www.fns.usda.gov/snap - LOCAL SHELTERS VIA HUD: Emergency shelters and housing programs for runaway and homeless youth.
Call 211
www.hud.gov/findshelter - LOVE IS RESPECT (dating/domestic violence): Support services for runaway youth facing dating violence or abuse.
CALL 1-866-331-9474 or TEXT “LOVEIS” to 22522
www.loveisrespect.org - STAND UP FOR KIDS: Outreach programs, mentoring, and housing assistance for homeless and runaway youth.
1-800-365-4543
www.standupforkids.org - THE TREVOR PROJECT (lgtbq+ youth): Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lgbtq+ youth.
1-866-488-7386 text/chat available via website
www.thetrevorproject.org - POLARIS PROJECT NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE: Support for runaway youth at risk of trafficking or exploitation, they provide safety planning, resources, and emergency response.
1-888-373-7888 TEXT “HELP” or “INFO”
www.humantraffickinghotline.org - UMPS CARE CHARITIES FOSTER YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP: Awards $10,000 scholarship to foster youth attending a four year college or university. current/former foster youth under age 20 who have already been accepted into a four year school.
www.umpscare.com/ - GUARDIAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM: Scholarships, mentoring, and support services for foster youth in higher education. Former foster youth enrolled in partnering colleges/ universities. Varies by institution; search for guardian scholars at your chosen school.
- TOGETHER WE RISE FAMILY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: Offers scholarships and resources for foster youth attending college, including funding, mentoring and internships.
www.togetherwerise.org/programs/family-fellowship - THE FELIX FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS: Provides scholarships for current and former foster youth pursuing higher education. Foster youth in custody for minimum of 1 year.
www.felixfoundation.org - NATIONAL FOSTER PARENT ASSOCIATION (NFPA) SCHOLARSHIP: Provides scholarships to foster youth, biological children of foster parents, and adopted children. To qualify you must be involved with the foster system in some way or be adopted.
www.nfpaonline.org - HORATIO ALGER ASSOCIATION FOSTER CARE SCHOLARSHIP: Awards $2500 to foster youth attending college or vocational training programs. Under aged 25 to qualify with financial need.
www.horatioalger.org - CASEY FAMILY PROGRAMS ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP: Offers scholarships to foster youth for post secondary education or job training.
www.casey.org