Programs - Fostering Advocates Arizona

I Speak Change. Youth Speak Healthcare.

November 18, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

ISpeakHealthcare Transitioning from foster care at age 18 and becoming an independent young adult can be very exciting and nerve wrecking. There are many significant responsibilities to manage and at times we forget, or don’t prioritize, the importance of obtaining or maintaining health insurance. Thankfully, there is now health insurance for former foster care youth known as Young Adult Transitional Insurance or YATI up to age 26.

Desaray-Duo Prior to YATI, there was minimal support for health insurance for former foster care youth. As a result, I aged out of foster care without health insurance, which caused a lot of financial and health obstacles for me. From the ages of 18-23, I was without health insurance and during that time I had a few medical emergencies that resulted in thousands of dollars in medical debt that took me several years to pay off. My story of being ineligible for health insurance as a former foster care child, before the implementation of YATI, is not unique. There were many other young adults who had aged out of care, became uninsured and were unable to seek regular or emergency medical attention without the fear of paying costly medical bills.

In 2014, health insurance for young adults who aged out of foster care in Arizona and are living in Arizona was extended to cover young people age 18-26. This was truly a win for current and former foster care youth in Arizona! We all know the importance of health insurance and that in order to thrive, perform well in our jobs and education and lead a happy family, we need be proactive and take care of our health.

Click to learn more about Young Adult Transitional Insurance and how you may be eligible!

# Be College Ready

June 22, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

As a young adult, have you ever felt obtaining a college degree was not in your reach? Or, are you still in high school and busy thinking about all the other things you need to do when you turn 18 and graduate? If you answered yes, we are here to let you know that achieving your educational goals is possible and it is never too early to “Be College Ready”.

More importantly, you do not have to tackle this endeavor alone! College Success Arizona wants to see you complete college while providing you the support and resources to succeed and improve your quality of life.

College Success Arizona awards scholarships to individuals with financial challenges to enhance their ability to receive a college degree. “The professional mentoring supports we provide along with the scholarships are the key ingredient in helping our scholars persist in and graduate from college.”

In order to further support young adults educational attendance, College Success Arizona provides scholarships only to students who are part of their College Preparatory Partner Organizations. Students who meet eligibility requirements and are active members of these partner organizations will be eligible to apply for their 2016-2017 academic year scholarships.

Click here, to read more about College Success Arizona and to become a student of one of their College Preparatory Partners so you can ensure your educational road to success!

Leap into May and make 2015 one unforgettable summer!!!

May 6, 2015 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

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Are you a young adult who wants exciting plans for the summer? Do you want to go back to school and tell everyone how much fun you had camping, exploring your future career, and making new friends? If your answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place. Get involved this summer with the exciting activities below.

Leap 1: Lets start with the Maricopa County Teen Leadership Experience (MCLE) Summer Program. Maricopa County Human Services Department invites teens, 12-17 years old, to take part in this exciting summer program. In its fifth year, MCLE offers a wide variety of hands on activities with various occupations preparing young adults for their future job/career. Students explore the many facets of Maricopa County and earn valuable service learning hours.

Leap 2: Register now with Tonto Creek Camp and enjoy the fresh air of the mountains. Attend SEED Camp in June for boys and girls grade 9-12 and learn about opening your own business, becoming your own boss, product development, beta-testing, and to top it off various rope challenges. Or perhaps you want to attend Fresh Air Summer Camp in July for boys and girls 10-17 years old. You’ll enjoy an Ecology hike, engage in Orienteering and Wilderness survival, Low-ropes Course Challenges, and the classic S’mores around the campfire. Scholarships are available if you are a youth in foster care through Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation.

Leap 3: Join a Workforce Development Program with Friendly House’s and learn the skills needed to become self-sufficient through education, occupational training and job placement that best fits with your individual needs and skills. Or get involved with Phoenix Youth R.I.S.E. (Reach and Invest in Summer Employment) Program. This is a paid internship where young adults can acquire hands on critical job-readiness skills preparing them for the competitive workforce.

No matter what leap you take, make the summer of 2015 productive, exciting, and memorable! Take advantage of these amazing opportunities to get involved, have fun, and make new connections.

If you’re a youth in foster care and the activities above just aren’t for you, talk with your DCS case manager, group home staff, or kinship care provider. Ask them to help you plan how you can get involved this summer, learn and acquire new skills, and most importantly have fun while doing it!

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