Knowing Your Rights: A Handbook for Kids in Foster Care

A must read for every youth in Foster Care. Please make sure you have read this before moving on to other links:

Knowing Your Rights: A Handbook for Kids in Foster Care

Bill of Rights for Foster Children

Legal Advice to Common Questions

CLC has developed helpful information for people of all ages to understand their rights and legal options in different situations:

• What is expungement? – How expungement (removal) of criminal records can help young people overcome some of the obstacles that come from having a criminal record
• Can I be emancipated? – What Minnesota law says about emancipation (legal independence), and options available to young people interested in emancipation
• How do I vote? – Learn all the basics about the voting process
• Right to work – Basic employment rights all young people should know
• Can I request medical procedures? – Understand the types of medical care youth can request and consent to on their own
• I am pregnant, what do I do? / I am the father, what are my rights? – Options for pregnant teens, and information about the rights of teen mothers and fathers
• How do I pay my taxes? – Understand your responsibilities for paying taxes, filing a tax return, and how to get started
• What is a credit card and why should I get one? – Important information about credit and credit cards, and how to protect yourself from identity theft

Information for Foster Youth entering Adulthood

Youth in Transition Necessities

CLC has put together important information for foster youth who are in the process of transitioning out of foster care. These links contain listings of housing, healthcare, education, and employment available to youth and young adults in Minnesota. Read More.

Youth in Transition Toolkit

The Youth in Transition Toolkit includes an overview of the skills, knowledge and resources needed for young people leaving foster care to prepare for life on their own as young adults. Read More.

Information about College and Scholarships for Foster Youth

Click here for more information on scholarships and other funding for foster and former foster youth.

F.A.F.S.A.
This website will give you access and information on how to fill out a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form. All persons applying to colleges, universities, vocational, or technical schools must fill out the FAFSA form.

• • FOR ALL FOSTER YOUTH IN CARE WHEN THEY ARE 18: On the FAFSA Form, answer yes to the question “Are you an orphan, or are you or were you (until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?” Answering “Yes” will maximize your chance of getting Pell Grants (money you do not pay back to the government). Also, it will maximize the aid you get on loans that do not acquire interest.

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
This website will help you find information on all of the public colleges, universities, vocational, and technical schools in Minnesota www.mnscu.edu/board/policy/index.html

Other Links/Resources

Experiencing Homelessness?

The Resources for Youth Experiencing Homelessness guide can be downloaded here.

FosterClub

FosterClub is the social network for young people in foster care. Currently, there are over 513,000 young people in foster care across America. FosterClub is their club — a place to turn for advice, information, and hope. They offer free forms and resources for foster youth and caregivers, have a great question & answer page for foster care youth, and great resources for grownups who want to get involved.

Healthy Foster Care America 

The Healthy Foster Care America (HFCA) Web site was developed as a place where foster parents, caregivers, professionals and organizations can find the latest information, facts, and figures on the health care of children and teens in foster care, including ready-to-use tools and resources. Resources include: Expert information on the health issues and needs of children and teens in foster care, customizable forms for health care professionals, links to www.HealthyChildren.org, and portal of resources for children and teens in care, parents (foster and birth) and kin.