Building Your Future After Foster Care Slides

Work through the webinar material at your own pace. Download the slides from this webinar to keep the key points at your fingertips and use them as a handy reference whenever your program needs them.

Download the Slides

Youth-Shared Resources

This document compiles key resources, platforms, tools, and contact information shared by attendees and facilitators during the Build Your Future webinar session.

Financial Aid, Higher Education, and Financial Literacy

SchoolHouse Connection: FAFSA Guidance for Homeless Youth
Comprehensive FAFSA information tailored by specific role groups (youth, educators, service providers) to help unaccompanied homeless youth navigate financial aid verification and status.

Federal Student Aid (FSA) Handbook (2026–2027)
The primary operational guide for financial aid administrators available at Federal Student Aid Knowledge Center. Chapter 5 specifically addresses independent student status and verification for homeless and unaccompanied youth.

Vital Documents and Legal Assistance

National Network for Youth (NN4Y): Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth
A free national legal hotline in partnership with Baker McKenzie providing state-specific legal information and guidance for young people experiencing homelessness to obtain vital documents (birth certificates, state IDs, Social Security cards).

• Hotline Number: 1-888-870-DOCS (1-888-870-3627) /  Call or text on Wednesdays (9 AM – 5 PM ET) or leave voicemails/texts anytime.

State, Local, and Community Support

Detroit Phoenix Center (DPC)
A non-profit organization in Detroit responding to the wrap-around needs of youth and young adults (ages 13–24). Services include emergency shelter, basic needs, mental health, youth leadership, and education/employment pathways.

Streetlight Chicago (Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness)
An online resource directory and mobile application connecting young adults (ages 14–24) in Chicago to drop-in centers, youth shelters, free food, health/mental care, and housing waitlists.

SUNY Oswego Student Food Pantry (@shop_oswego)
An example of leveraging social media to conduct effective student outreach and increase awareness of basic needs support and campus food pantries.

Montgomery County (Ohio) Community Resource Guide
Mini Community Resource Guide for local youth and family support services in Montgomery County, Ohio.

Colorado FosterEd, EmpowerEd, and Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Programs 
Statewide resources and programs designed to help youth who have been in foster care or have experienced homelessness pursue higher education.

Detroit College Access Network (DCAN)
A local coalition working to increase college enrollment and completion rates among Detroit students through neighborhood networks, emergency grants, and financial guidance.

This project was supported by Grant # 15JDP-22-GK-04981 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this toolkit are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.