Resources

 On this page you will find organizations, websites, and publications that can help you find out more about your rights in care and help you resolve concerns.

Remember that your most important resources are your laywer, social worker, and case worker. Use these resources to support you in your quest to become a self advocate!

**Organizations**

• The Door:  provides comprehensive health, legal, educational, counseling and nutrition services to over 7500 New York City youth each year. http://www.door.org/

 

• Youth in Progress: YIP pledges to enhance the lives of foster care youth by giving them a sense of self responsibility and educate everyone involved in the foster care system to the realities of this experience. http://www.youthinprogress.org/

 

• Mercy First: MercyFirst a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy, inspires hope and promotes healing for children and families by providing quality human services and educational opportunities while advocating for social change. http://www.mercyfirst.org/index.htm

 

• Sylvia’s Place: Born from that promise is ‘Sylvia’s Place’, an emergency night shelter for self identified Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, transgendered, transsexual, and  questioning youths. http://www.homelessyouthservices.org/         

                                                                                                                                                                                                                

• Harlem Children’s Zone: Learn how HCZ family development programs can help create a safety net for you and your family during your time in foster care. http://www.hcz.org/programs/foster-care-prevention-services 

**Websites**

• NYC Children Services: http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/home/home.shtml : The official website for New York City Children Services. Here you can learn about ACS, advocacy, and support for youth and families within the foster care system.

 

• New York State Office of Children and Families: http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/fostercare/  Learn about New York State policies and guidelines for youth in foster care.

 

•  Lawyers for Children:  http://www.lawyersforchildren.org/sitecontent.cfm?page=handr-youarenotalonefostercarerights : Based in NYC, Lawyers for Children is a leading resource for accessing information on your rights in care. Find resources on sexual abuse, immigration and other rights issues.

 

• NYC Family Courts: http://www.nycourts.gov/courts/nyc/family/faqs_fostercare.shtml        Learn about how the courts affect your time in care and how to navigate the system.     

                                            

 

• Hunter College School of Social Work:  http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/handbooks-for-youth.html              See what other states are doing to define the rights of youth in foster care.

 

**Publications**

• Handbook for Youth In Foster Care: A detailed and very useful handbook to have during your time in care. Created by the Youth in Progress Organization based in New York City. http://www.youthinprogress.org/handbook.htm

 

• National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and Permanency Planning: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/rights-children-foster-care.pdf  See an example of the Foster Care Bill of Rights as ratified in Philadelphia in 1973.

 

• “LGBTQ Youth in the Foster Care System“: A resource guide for LGBTQ youth in care. http://www.nclrights.org/site/DocServer/LGBTQ_Youth_In_Foster_Care_System.pdf?docID=1341

 

• You Not Alone: A series of publication meant to help youth in care understand what it means to be in the foster care system. Topics include aging out, immigration, and sexual abuse. http://www.lawyersforchildren.org/sitecontent.cfm?page=handr-aging

 

• Represent Magazine: A national magazine based in NYC written by and for youth in the foster care system. http://www.youthcomm.org/Publications/FCYU.htm

 

• The Youth Advocacy Center: Youth Advocacy Center developed Rights and Advocacy Guidelines (© 1996) to address common questions about New York City teens’ rights in foster care. http://www.youthadvocacycenter.org/pubs/reports.html#guidelines