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RESOURCES
FOSTER YOUTH
- Who do I call for help?
- Health Care
- Education
- Housing
- Independent Living Program
- CASA Mentoring
- FCNI Mentoring
- Enrichment Activities
- CA Youth Connection
- Foster Youth Rights
- Foster Youth Wellness
- Other Resources
- Employment
If you have an assigned Social Worker, we recommend to first call your Social Worker with any questions you may have. If you cannot reach your social worker, you can always ask to be connected with your social worker’s supervisor.
Please call (805) 781-1700 to be connected with your Social Worker or their Supervisor.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RESOURCES
| RESOURCE NAME | PHONE NUMBER | DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES |
|---|---|---|
| CAPSLO Health Services www.thecenter@capslo.org 705 Grand Ave, SLO 1152 E. Grand Ave, Arroyo Grande |
544-2478 489-4026 |
CAPSLO Health Services offers comprehensive reproductive health care for men, women, and teens. CAPSLO offers pregnancy testing, contraceptives (including emergency contraception), STD testing and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, menopausal services, referral for free mammograms and yearly OBGYN exams including pap smears, breast exams and male exams. Most services are free or low cost and based on sliding fee scale. |
| SLO Public Health Department 2191 Johnson Ave, SLO 723 Walnut Drive, Paso Robles |
781-5500 237-3050 |
Provides low cost health services including, immunizations, child health and disability prevention programs, nutrition counseling, pregnancy and parenting support for mothers and fathers. |
| SLO Public Health Department Nurse and Family Partnership | 788-2068 | Nurse-Family Partnership is a free, voluntary program that partners first-time moms with nurses. When you enroll in the program, a trained nurse will visit you in your home until your baby turns two years old. |
| SLO Hep C Project 1320 Nipomo St, SLO | 543-4372 | Provides support, counseling and services to SLO county residents living with Hep C. |
| Planned Parenthood of San Luis Obispo 743 Pismo St, SLO | 888-898-3806 | Provides low or no cost reproductive health services such as pregnancy testing, contraception, and STD testing and treatment Provides services such as parenting classes, support groups, and parenting resources in your community. |
| SLO ALPHA Call for hours and locations Postpartum Depression Support Line | 541-3367 | Pregnancy and parenting support, Postpartum Depression support |
| Tree of Life Pregnancy Support Center 1329 Chorro Street, SLO | 543-6000 | Free Pregnancy Test, Pregnancy Support Services, Ultrasound, Community Referrals, Practical Items, Options Information all confidential. Does not provide abortions or abortion referrals. |
| Lifeline Crisis Pregnancy 1447 W. Grand Ave, Grover Beach | 481-4987 | Abortion Alternatives, Birth Control Information & Services, Human Services Organizations, Family Planning Information Centers. |
| WEBSITE LINK | WEBSITE DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
| Stay Teen | The goal of Stay Teen (www.Stayteen.org) is to encourage teens to enjoy their teen years and avoid the responsibilities that come with too early pregnancy and parenting. The more they know about issues like sex, relationships, abstinence, and birth control, the better prepared they’ll be to make informed choices for their future. |
| Bedsider | Bedsider (www.Bedsider.org) is an online birth control support network. Their goal is to help women find the method of birth control that’s right for them and learn how to use it consistently and effectively. |
Post-Secondary Education – College/Vocational Training
Independent Living Program (ILP) eligible youth between the ages of 14 and 24 have direct access to a college transition specialist; this college specialist supports youth with educational planning throughout high school and into and through the completion of a post-secondary degree or certificate program.
Eligible youth who wish to pursue college or vocational training may receive assistance completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible youth who are or were in foster care and demonstrate financial need may apply separately for the Chafee grant, which awards up to $5,000 per year.
The Transitional Age Youth Financial Assistance Program (TAYFAP) is available to eligible foster youth, working with youth to identify and fill financial and other resource gaps that might impact the youth’s success in college or vocational training. Youth participating in this program have a high percentage of completing their studies including pursuing advanced degrees.
Click on button below to download the Transitional Age Youth Financial Assistance brochure.
College is within your reach
California Pathways to College is committed to assisting former foster youth reach their educational goals. Visit their website at CAcollegepathways.org to read more about planning for college and financial aid available.
Find the college planning guide by clicking here
Cuesta Community College offers a scholarship program for all San Luis Obispo County graduating seniors. Click here to find out more about the Cuesta College Promise scholarship program
You may be eligible to up to $5,000 per year for college expenses through the Chafee grant.
- Find out more about the Chafee grant by clicking here
- Find out more by visiting the Foster Care to Success website at www.fc2success.org
Former foster youth in San Luis Obispo County may be eligible to the TAYFAP program. TAYFAP pays for education related expenses that are necessary and that cannot be paid for by any other source such as supplies, books, fees, transportation costs, short term housing assistance etc. All requests for TAYFAP payments must be submitted on the TAYFAP request form and submitted.
Click on either button below to download the Transitional Age Youth Financial Assistance Request Form or the Foster Youth Education Rights brochure.
Housing Options for Youth
Most youth in out-of-home care between the ages of 16 and 18 reside with a certified Resource Family. Often, this is a
relative or other responsible adult who the youth knew before they were in Foster Care and who has completed the Resource Family Approval (RFA) state certification process. Eligible youth may also consider applying for TAY housing (more information below) through their ILP case manager or social worker/probation officer.
After a youth turns 18, they have several additional options. Youth who agree to remain in extended foster care between the ages of 18 and 21 through Assembly Bill 12 (AB12) may be placed with a Resource Family, apply for TAY housing (more information below), or arrange for a Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP). A SILP is an approved housing option the youth arranges independently or with support of their social worker/probation officer. Examples of approved SILP options include, but are not limited to: college dorms, staying with relatives, sharing an apartment with friends, or renting a room.
- Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) serves youth starting at age 16 until their 18th birthday
- Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care (THP+FC) serves foster youth between the ages of 18 up to their 21st birthday, who voluntarily remain a Dependent of the Court as a Non-Minor
- Transitional Housing Placement Plus (THP+ ) serves youth between the ages of 18 and 24, who were previously in foster care on or after their 18th birthday
What is this Resource?
The Independent Living Program (ILP) is a program designed to provide services and resources to foster and probation youth between the ages of 14-21. ILP receives funding through federal, state and county funds. ILP is more than just living skills. ILP is an assistance program that offers foster and probation youth, both past and present, access to services through local organizations and agencies to help them succeed during the transition to adulthood.Who can use this Resource?
- Any child in Foster Care at any time from their 14th to their 18th birthday
- Was/are between 14 and 21 years of age and in receipt of the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program (Kin-Gap)
- If a child reunified with family prior to turning age 16, the County of San Luis Obispo will continue serving the youth up to age 21 in ILP
What is this Resource?
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) mentors provide guidance to young adults who are aging out of the foster care system and request assistance. CASA Mentors work with youth on life skills including: daily living, career and education planning and money management.
Who can use this Resource?
Foster Youth age 21 and up
CASA Mentors:
are age 21 and up
see solutions and opportunities
complete 30 hours of training and 12 hours of continuing education per year
are active, empathetic listeners
make a 12 month commitment
are flexible and open
maintain regular contact with a Mentor Supervisor
help older youth transition into adulthood
Click on button below to download the CASA Mentor Program brochure.
CASA MENTOR BROCHURE
What is this Resource?
The Family Care Network (FCNI) Mentor Program places trained mentors with children and young adults receiving Family Care Network services to build healthy, supportive, and consistent relationships. Our mentors volunteer for 6 to 8 hours per month over a one year period in which they take their men-tees out into the community to pursue activities which are free, fun, and promote new areas for growth. These might include activities like hiking, visiting the beach, bike riding, attending local farmer’s markets, and visiting a job site or school to explore future career and educational interests.
In addition to mentoring, FCNI also offers tutoring to clients who are in need of additional academic support. Tutors meet with students for 4 to 6 hours per month for a minimum of 6 months. Both mentors and tutors are matched with their men-tees based upon factors like personality, potential client benefit, volunteer and client preference, and location.
Who can use this Resource?
Anyone interested in mentoring or tutoring Foster Youth. All mentors and tutors undergo a four hour training overseen by FCNI staff and submit detailed logs of every client interaction. The initial screening process for potential mentors and tutors includes:
Live Scan Fingerprinting
Detailed Personal References
In-person Interview
DMV driving record history
TB test
Drug screening
TESTIMONIALS
Rae, Resource Parent - Thank you so much for providing these monthly enrichment activities. Not only are they so much fun and interactive, but they gave me a chance to talk with other Resource Parents!|
What is this Resource?
California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth led organization that develops leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the Foster Care System through legislative, policy, and practice change.Who can use this Resource?
Foster youth will be equal partners in contributing to all policies and decisions made in their lives. All youth in foster care will have their needs met and the support to grow into healthy and vibrant adults.Website Link: http://calyouthconn.org/
Local Chapter Contact: sanluisobispochapter@calyouthconn.org
PARENT PARTNER PROGRAM
Click on either button below to download the Parent Partner Program brochure.
PARENT PARTNER BROCHURE (ENGLISH)
PARENT PARTNER BROCHURE (SPANISH)
PARENT CONNECTION
North County (805) 904-1411
Website Link: http://sloparents.org/
The Foster Youth Wellness Website is designed to help foster youth and the adults in their lives learn more about 
pursuing wellness by providing links to youth friendly wellness resources. This website consists of a home page, eight dimensions of wellness, a crisis resource page, and a printable documents page which lists all the documents referenced throughout the website.
The eight dimensions of wellness include physical wellness, emotional wellness, intellectual wellness, spiritual wellness, social wellness, environmental wellness, occupational wellness, and financial wellness. All website resources may be downloaded and/or printed for personal use or educational purposes by foster youth and their adult allies.
Click on button below to open the Foster Youth Wellness website.
FOSTER YOUTH WELLNESS WEBSITE
Community Resources for Foster Youth in placement
Click on button below to download the Community Resources document for Foster Youth. COMMUNITY RESOURCESYouth Calendar
Each year, the Department of Social Services highlights 12 of our local youth in a calendar. The youth that participate in this calendar get to do an activity of their choice and have a photo shoot while participating in the activity. The calendar is a way for some of our youth to spend time doing an activity they have always dreamed of doing and to communicate the need for resource parents within San Luis Obispo County. If you would like this year’s calendar, please click Contact Us at the top row of this website and send us your request.
The following link will show available employment opportunities on the iFoster website.
Click on button below to open the iFoster for Businesses website.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
To make a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, call (805) 781-KIDS
Department of Social Services 3433 S. Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401