Caregivers' Corner

Here you will find...

• Caregiver Resources
  
• Info on Helping Youth Emancipate
  
• Info on Caregiver Training
• Info on Caregivers in E-Track

This page contains links to Adobe PDF documents. Download the free Adobe
Acrobat Reader.

Caregiver Resources:

	Ohio Family Care Assn  http://www.ofcaonline.org/ [Conference; Advocacy for Ohio’s foster and adoptive families; newsletter]
	North American Council for Adoptable Children http://www.nacac.org/ [Information on adoption subsidies; advocacy for adoptive parents; conference; newsletter]
	Tapestry http://www.tapestrybooks.com/?gclid=CJznsbrnvaECFQENDQodOGNmYA [Online book store for books about adoption for parents, professionals, and children]
	Ohio’s Adoption Guide  http://www.ohiocathconf.org/I/SS/adoptguide.pdf [booklet created by Ohio Dept of Job & Family Services to provide information about adoption in Ohio]
	Child Welfare Information Gateway  http://www.childwelfare.gov/ [articles and information for adoptive and foster parents as well as staff]
	Foster Parent College  http://www.fosterparentcollege.com/?gclid=CKnOi63ovaECFUNJ5wodEmWXAQ [online courses for foster caregivers; public agency foster caregivers can access free credits through the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program.  Contact your foster care specialist for more information.]
	Survival Strategies for Foster Caregivers
	Casey Family Programs (many resources for caregivers & youth): http://www.casey.org/
	Healthy Foster Care America: http://www.aap.org/fostercare/
	VStreet: http://www.vstreet.com/login/index.jsp  (interactive online educational resource for older youth to learn independent living skills; small fee involved)
	Ohio Dept. of Education document explaining rules and resources for children with special educational needs:http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED486385.pdf
	Coming to Foster Care by Suzanne E. Bailey.  A book written by an Ohio foster mother for children coming into foster care: http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=75349
	This new National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections information packet, authored by Teija Sudol, provides information on Foster and Adoptive Parenting by LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) individuals and families: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/lgbtq-issues-and-child-welfare.html#ip
	Strategies for coping with foster care and adoption stress: http://www.wifostercareandadoption.org/library/1062/stressedout.pdf
	Free Meals for Foster Children FOSTER CHILDREN HAVE CATEGORICAL ELIGIBILITY FOR FREE MEALS - Signed into law by the President on December 13, 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (The Act) allows the US Department of Agriculture, for the first time in over 30 years, the chance to make real reforms to the school lunch and breakfast programs by improving the critical nutrition and hunger safety net for millions of children. It is also the legislative centerpiece of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! http://www.letsmove.gov/initiative. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provides categorical eligibility to foster children for free meals served under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. If you would like to reach out directly to your State Child Nutrition Programs to collaborate on the implementation of the new law or to find out more information about implementation in your State, contact information can be found here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm. More information about the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 can be found at: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/CNR_2010.htm.s
	GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR RESPITE PROGRAMS - AdoptUSKids has partnered with NACAC to improve availability of and excellence in respite care that includes social and community involvement. Through this program, foster, adoptive, and kinship parent groups and associations will operate community programs, in partnership with local public agencies, with a goal of sustaining respite services for years to come. Between now and July 1, parent support organizations that meet the eligibility criteria can apply for a mini-grant ($5,000) to start a respite program. To learn more about eligibility requirements or to download an application visit: http://www.nacac.org/
	The Role of Foster Parents in Preventing Suicide: http://www.sprc.org/featured_resources/customized/pdf/FosterParents.pdf
	Information on grandparents providing kinship care: http://www.ohiograndparentkinship.org/
	Adoption Photo Listings: www.adoptionphotolistingohio.org  Ohio Adoption Photolisting http://adoptionphotolistingohio.org/browse.php  Adopt US Kids
	Accessing Free School Lunches
	A List of Resources on Dealing with Bullying

 

Information on Helping Youth Emancipate:

Transition Toolkit
http://transition.fosterclub.com/article/transition-toolkit

Employment
Foster care youth are 100% eligible for WIA funds. Contact your local WIA Board.

Food
Go with the young person to apply for food stamps, or accompany him or her to the nearest Food Bank. Here's a list of Food Banks in Ohio.

GED
Job Corps is a great way to complete a high school education, and even provides housing!  Ohio has three Jobs Corps Centers .

Healthcare
Foster care youth who "age out" of the system can receive Medicaid until age 21. Navigating the adult Medicaid system can be challenging. Don't assume that the staff at the Medicaid office will be aware of this program -- bring a copy of the flyer.

Higher Ed
Ohio Reach is a statewide initiative to increase the number of foster care youth who enroll in and graduate from college. A good place to start in choosing a college is to look over the list of Ohio Reach Campus Liaisons.

Housing
The Family Unification Program provides housing vouchers for which foster care alumni are eligible. Find out if your county has applied for FUPS - and how to make this happen.

Legal Assistance
Mission Transition is a free online resource. Also, Capital University Law School is currently piloting a Foster Youth Advocacy Center. Another free online source is the Foster Youth Rights Handbook created by the Ohio YAB.

Literacy
Have you contacted your local library and/or Literacy Council?  The Ohio Literacy Network offers a free online membership.

Mental Health
Each Ohio county has a Mental Health Board, and it's up to us to advocate for specific services for transitioning foster care youth. It's important to be aware that former foster youth suffer from PTSD at a rate twice that of Vietnam war veterans.

Parenting
The Ohio Parent Information Network provides free information and support, and the State Library of Ohio has compiled this list of additional resources. Foster Care Alumni of America recently published a book, FLUX, which includes a chapter on parenting after foster care.

Social Security
Emancipating foster care youth with disabilities can submit SSI applications up to 90 days before federal foster care payments are supposed to end. Remind the staff member that this is an exception to the general rule regarding this process

Checklist to Prepare Youth for Emancipation
http://www.kids-alliance.org/pdfs/MaterialsOnline/NextStep/ACR%20Transitioning%20Youth%20Checklist.pdf

 

Information on Caregiver Training:

Overview of the Fundamentals of Fostering Series of Workshops

Regional Caregiver Training Calendars

Caregiver Training Requirements

Caregiver Training Companion Resources