Youth Port

Youth Port is a gateway to resources, information, and tools for young adults who are currently experiencing foster care, those who are transitioning to adulthood, and those who have aged-out.

Spotlight & Announcements

The NRCYD, National Pathways to Adulthood (NPTA): A Convening on Youth in Transition website is live; we're heading to Baltimore, MD! The ”Call for Presenters" will be accepting workshop proposals until March 29th. Find all the information you need to prepare for attending at the convening section of our site!

Foster Care to Success’s (FC2S) 2013-14 Scholarship Application, awarded to former foster youth and youth adopted after their sixteenth birthday from foster care is now open. The final day to submit your application is March 31, 2013.

The article “How To Become A Successful Young Leader At Work”  shares 11 great tips for young professionals to consider when working to build their name in the workforce.

Check out the Powerful Teen Spoken Word Against Violence: Winners, from SparkAction.  Link to winners.

Do you know a youth ages 18 - 24 from a Youth MOVE Chapter who is ready to step their work up to the national level? Nominate them! 

Dates to keep in mind:

Understanding Foster Care

The foster care system is complicated and can be confusing. This section includes descriptions of the types of care and services available within the child welfare system.

The NRCYD State-by-State pages offers anyone the information they may need to see what is available in their state when it comes to foster care. Click on your state to find out more.

Check out Represent, The Voice of Youth in Care, they feature many articles covering a variety of hot topic issues facing youth today, you can also subscribe to their newsletter and get stories of the week, for free! Their organizational mantra is, “Read. Write. Succeed.”

The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)  led by the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Data and Technology (NRC-CWDT) is currently administering surveys to 19 year olds in foster care. Your voice is important, if you have received a flier, call or email about NYTD follow-ups, you can help improve the foster care system by sharing your voice.

Permanency & Connections

FosterClub‘s Permanency Pact can help youth in the child welfare system learn what meaningful relationships are and how they can build and grow their network of supporters.

Foster Care Alumni of America offers a network for the over 12 million adults that formerly spent time in foster care. Learn more today and see if there is a chapter in your state.

Court Appointed Special Advocates is a great resources for youth currently in foster care that would like an advocate to help support them in their court hearings. These dedicated volunteers ensure that the youth voice is heard!

Diversity

The Tribal Foster Care a section on the NRCYD website dedicated to the work that the tribes are doing with young people in foster care.

“Essential Skills for Working with LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care” This 3-part webinar series includes the youth perspective, the commissioner of child welfare in New York, national leaders in this work, and foster parents.

Postcard Project via Foster Care Alumni of America is an anonymous creative expression of the Culture of Foster Care; the post cards are submitted anonymously from adults who were formerly in foster care.

The Hispanic Child Support Resource Center offers child welfare resources for the Hispanic community.

Help Us Build Youth Port!

Your ideas and suggestions will make Youth Port more useful to everyone. Please let us know what you think should be included under the current sections or new section topics that need to be added. Your contributions are much appreciated. Email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and keep in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter! 

Editor: Lupe O-Tovar