Foster Youth Resources
As a child or youth in foster care, you may experience many challenges; here are some resources to help you tackle them. First, you have rights, starting with the right to live in a safe environment and you deserve to be treated with respect. You also have the right to services you need to successfully prepare for adulthood as you approach the age of 18. In addition, through Extended Foster Care (provided you continue to meet certain conditions), you have the right to remain in foster care and continue to receive support after you turn 18 until the age of 21.
Tulare County’s Independent Living Program (ILP) offers a variety of individualized services, as well as group classes and activities to assist youth ages 16 to 21 in their journey toward independence. Services include one-on-one meetings with a social worker to develop transitional goals, assistance with housing, employment resources, as well as assistance with enrolling in educational programs and colleges.
Do you have any physical, mental, or emotional conditions that make it hard for you to apply for benefits or meet program requirements? We can give extra help. We call this type of help a reasonable accommodation. The law protects people with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities as well as others with serious health problems (42 U.S.C. § 12132). For more information, contact your worker. You can reach the Civil Rights Coordinator at TCCivilRights@tularecounty.ca.gov or (559) 624-8078 as well as visit https://tchhsa.org/eng/human-services/civil-rights1/.
