Your social worker and educational providers are required to ensure that you feel safe, comfortable and are successful in your academic pursuits. You have the right to the same educational opportunities as all students, consistent with your age and developmental level.
DCFS and our community partners offer a number of programs to support your education and help you prepare for your future.
The Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) Foster Youth Achievement Program is a specialized program within LAUSD’s Pupil Services Unit dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes and academic achievement for students living in foster care. Foster youth are partnered with an education counselor who can help ensure all of your educational needs are met.
Foster Youth Achievement Program
The Los Angeles County library offers tutoring, homework help, foreign language resources, and test prep everyday online, right from your computer. All you need is your Los Angeles County Library Card and an internet connection. You can even text or live chat with a librarian, who can answer any questions you may have.
LA County Library Homework & Tutoring
School on Wheels offers free, one-on-one tutoring to children and youth who are experiencing homelessness throughout Southern California. Students enrolled in the program have access to digital learning tools, scholarships, school supplies and more.
Feel like you need a friend and mentor who can guide you through the education process? DCFS offers school-based mentoring for pre-teens between the ages of 10-13.
College can be the ticket to a fulfilling life and a great career. It increases career options, and college graduates earn substantially more money throughout their lifetimes. Do you have questions about the college process? Review the step-by-step plan to get into college.
Foster Youth Educational Planning Guide
The Los Angeles Public Library’s Student Smart Program offers free citywide seminars and SAT practice sessions conducted by Princeton Review instructors in LAPL branches/Central Library for middle school and high school students who want to develop effective study and test taking strategies for college.
LA Public Library Student Smart Program
If you are between the ages of 12-15 and need an academic boost, you can receive free services through the United Friends of the Children College Readiness Program (CRP). CRP helps foster youth become competitive applicants to four-year colleges/universities. This program offers individual college counseling, tutoring, workshops, college tours, special events, and summer programs.
United Friends College Readiness Program
You have been accepted into college. Congratulations! Now, how are you going to pay for it? Financial aid is step one.
Financial aid should cover most of your expenses, but if it does not, talk with your Independent Living Program (ILP) Transition Coordinator. They may be able to help with tuition, fees, books, supplies, transportation (plane tickets to and from school for example) and other school-related items. You’ll need to turn in paperwork such as your class schedule and financial aid award letter to secure help, so make sure to keep in contact with your coordinator.
There are many different types of financial aid that can help you pay for college, such as grants, loans, and federal work-study.
Current and former foster youth can receive many services at California One-Stop Career Centers in their community, including but not limited to paid and unpaid work experience, occupational skills training, summer employment, and help with GED and other high school alternatives.
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