Free and Discounted Resources for Foster Youth
Youth in foster care often have needs that their caregivers just can’t provide. If you know of a young person (or foster family) who would benefit from the resources on this page, share this with them.
This list grows whenand fosters and families share information with KARA: Please send us your own favorite resources for Fosters if you have them. ALSO: KARA is seeking authentic foster voices (anonymous if requested) for our podcasts and other projects. Send to info@invisiblechildren.org with Foster Resources or Foster Voices in the subject line.
FREE AND DISCOUNTED RESOURCES FOR FOSTER YOUTH AND FAMILIES
How to Expand for All 50 States: Use these central directories:
Child Welfare Information Gateway: [childwelfare.gov] – click “States and Territories” for state-specific funding, advocacy, legal help, education assistance grants.ca.gov
Federal Programs Directory through ACF/HHS provides listings of state-administered grants and assistance available under VOCA, TANF, and SSBG Wikipedia
You can then compile each State’s:
Foster care scholarship programs
Independent living or aging-out support
Regional grants (e.g., CASA-specific or kinship caregiver support)
Legal aid or visitation assistance funds
Housing/ILP supports and educational grants
Quick Reference Table
| Resource Type | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal/National Programs | All 50 States | ETV, Foster Care to Success, Casey grants |
| State Scholarships | CA, MN, NC, OH | Some states offer tuition and transition supports |
| CASA Grant Programs | MN, CA | CASA-specific grants for foster youth development |
| Transition/Housing Support | NC, OR, MN | Youth Navigators, Nest housing, ILP programs |
🔍 National Resources (Available in all States)
Foster Care to Success Scholarships: Provides $1,500–$5,000/year to foster youth attending college or vocational training in all 50 states fc2success.org
John H. Chafee Education & Training Vouchers (ETV): Federal grant up to $5,000/year for youth in or formerly in foster care MN Office of Higher Education
Social Services Block Grant (SSBG): Supports a range of foster-care related programs (housing, services, referrals) across states Wikipedia
Casey Family Programs: National foundation providing technical and financial assistance in all states Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
Child Welfare Information Gateway: Offers state-by-state directories of financial, legal, and support services Child Welfare Information Gateway
State-Level Resource Highlights (Alphabetical Select States) Take a deeper dive in the READ More below.
WHEN YOU Share KARA’s reporting with FRIENDS, INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK and most of all, your State Representative (find them here) change will come a little bit faster. When enough of us become informed and speak up for abused and neglected children, we will improve their lives and our communities!
Support KARA’s work with a small monthly donation: CLICK HERE TO DONATE CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR E-NEWSLETTER
California
- California CASA Association provides capacity-building grants to local CASA programs serving foster youth in 44 counties casamn.org+8casaofsantacruz.org+8San Francisco CASA+8
Minnesota
Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants (up to full tuition) for former foster youth attending college in MN sauerff.org+15MN Office of Higher Education+15Voices for Children | CASA Program+15
CASA Cares Grant Program: Awards small grants for personal growth and development of Minnesota foster children sauerff.org+5casamn.org+5casamn.org+5
North Carolina
North Carolina LINKS Program: Supports youth and young adults exiting foster care with transition planning and services Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1
NC Reach Scholarship: Covers full public college tuition for foster youth in NC Wikipedia
Ohio
- Youth Navigator Network (YNN): Live chat and referral service connecting foster youth with local resources and support U.S. Department of EducationFindLaw
Oregon
- Boys & Girls Aid Society (“The Nest”): Offers housing, transitional living, and mentoring services to foster youth statewide Wikipedia
Resource Density Summary
Most Resources Listed: California, Minnesota, and Ohio (multiple state-specific programs and grants found)
Moderate Resources: North Carolina and Oregon (transition services and housing programs)
Other States: Resource-specific data is limited in this index; please consult the Child Welfare Information Gateway or state DHS websites for full listings Wikipedia+15Child Welfare Information Gateway+15U.S. Department of Education+15Wikipedia
CASA Cares provides grants (up to $500.00) to benefit the personal growth and development of foster children in the child protection system. We consider grant requests for for children who are living in foster care with active cases, for items or activities not otherwise provided for by public funds. Requests often include bikes, school supplies, dance regalia, senior pictures, prom attire, and camp fees. MN CASA CARES Foster grants
If you have ever been in foster care, please contact us and a member of our team will work with you to discuss how to submit a wish. Becoming a Community Partner allows you to submit wishes (up to $500) on behalf of the incredible children and young people you support. Wishes Granted (Urgent wishes & wishes near you)
Amazon Prime Discount for Foster Parents: All foster children are covered by medicaid and have a valid medicaid card which can be submitted for the discount. Go here to qualify and join!
Dollywood Tickets for Foster Families: requesting tickets and how those tickets can be used here.
Goodwill also offers a discount for clothing for foster children. The discount may vary between states and stores.
Music lessons and instrument scholarships: Learn more here
Once Upon a Child typically offers a 10% discount for clothing for foster children
Prom Dresses from Becca’s Closet (chapters nationwide): Search for a free Prom Dress here
Therapy Services to Foster Youth – Most therapy is also provided through Medical Assistance, so don’t be afraid to reach out to call around to find the right fit.
YMCA Membership (Free or Discounted): Call your local YMCA for details (can be based on income)
Zoo and Aquarium Discounts for Foster Families: Check all of your local zoos and aquariums. Since they are all individual, it is impossible to pull together a list. However, from calling all of the one’s in my local area, I found that every single one, including the larger Ripley’s Aquarium in the Smokey’s was willing to offer some type of discount.
Ways to support a foster youth or family in your area:
- Become a Mentor (Make a difference in the life of a child)
- Provide parents with short term child care
- Give to or Start a Donation Center
- Start a Becca’s Closet Clothing Chapter for kids in your community
- Become a Foster America Fellow
- Provide Free Legal Services to a Child in Need
- Send a foster youth a College Care Package
- Horatio Alger Association 4 Star Charity
KARA Tracks & reports on the issues of child abuse.
This article submitted by CASA volunteer Mike Tikkanen
Signup For KARA’s FREE Friday Morning Updates
SHARE THIS POST WITH YOUR STATE REP
(They make a big difference in the lives of abused children)
KARA has been funding the Financial Literacy Project, INVISIBLE CHILDREN Campus Programs, public presentations, books, and social media for many years. We have had a really impactful 25 years thanks to our followers.
But here’s the reality-as we are an advocacy group not providing service we live on donations alone. We want to keep the momentum going but we need the funds to do so…
So, we are asking for your help as a way to support all our efforts going forward. Please consider a monthly donation of 5 or 25$ to sustain KARA’s ongoing efforts.
An additional choice, would be to sponsor a our new Spotify Social media platform for $500 and receive recognition for you or your organization Thank you to those who have sponsored a KARA projects in the past!
For stock and legacy donations contact mike@invisiblechildren.org with donations in the Subject line.
Thank you Student Volunteer Alistair Douglas Brown (Sterling University) for the research you have done for this piece.
Sign up here for Friday E-Updates from KARA on issues impacting abused and neglected children
All Adults Are the Protectors of All Children
- #childrights
#childrensrights
#humanrights
#uncrc (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)
#education
#fostercare
#childsafety
#endchildabuse
#supportchildren
#stopchildlabour
#empowerchildren
#rights4children
#protectchildren
#safetechforkids
#nonprofit
#donate
#justice
#hope
#mentalhealth
#inclusion
#traumainformed - #kara
- #childadvocacy
- #kidsatriskaction
- #invisiblechildren
Republished from the Kids At Risk Action blog as written. No images from the original corpus appear in any form.
Get the weekly brief
One email a week from Mike and the KARA Team.