About us

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Are you a caregiver or a current or former foster youth? Are you feeling frustrated? Would you like additional support? Contact Family Urgent Response System (FURS) at 1-833-939-FURS. Check our News page to learn more.

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Job Corps may be a Great Resource for the Youth or young Adult in Your Life

During the July 2022 Association Meeting, we received a wonderful presentation from Gianna Silvestre, Outreach and Admissions Counselor with Job Corps.

Job Corps is the largest nationwide residential career training program in the country and has been operating for more than 50 years. The program helps eligible young people ages 16 through 24 to complete their high school education, trains them for meaningful careers, and assists them with obtaining employment. It is funded by the U.S. Department of labor.

At Job Corps, students have access to room and board while they learn skills in specific training areas for up to three years. In addition to helping students complete their education, obtain career technical skills and gain employment, Job Corps provides transitional support services, such as help finding employment, housing, child care, and transportation. Job Corps graduates either enter the workforce or an apprenticeship, go on to higher education, or join the military.

Ms. Silvestre explained that at their Treasure Island location, they offer a variety of training programs, including basic and advanced culinary, office administration, certified nursing assistance, certified medical assistant, security and protective services, and advanced information technology. They also offer training in construction in fields like cement masonry, carpentry, electric, plastering, and building construction technology.

Along with free training, the Treasure Island location offers free on-campus living, uniforms, meals, and medical services. Finally, once the students have completed the program, they receive assistance in finding employment.

To be eligible for this program, the individual must be:

• Between 16-24 years of age
• Below the poverty line or currently on income assistance
• U.S. citizen or legal resident

The Job Corps Booklet provides additional information in both English and Spanish. Applications are accepted online at jobcorps.gov.

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Support the ACFPA Scholarship Programs

They say it takes a village to raise a child. For Resource and kinship families, that village can look unique to each child and youth’s particular needs and interests. The Alameda County Foster Parent Association’s (ACFPA) scholarship program provides scholarships to ACFPA members with the goal of connecting foster and adoptive children and youth to community programs. These programs help them to succeed in school, prepare for higher education and work, and explore extracurricular activities like music, dance, sports, and camps.

ACFPA scholarships are available to kids and young adults through 22 years of age. In 2021, despite the COVID epidemic, the fund awarded more than $5,000 to 21 foster and adopted kids ages 1-17 years old. So far in 2022, the Scholarship Committee has awarded almost $6,700 to 22 kids ages 1-19. These awards have supplemented the cost of swim, music and dance lessons, martial arts, zoo memberships, camps and even college supplies.

Enrichment scholarships can fund afterschool and school break extracurricular activities. Research has shown that participation in extracurricular activities can improve children’s math, reading, movement skills, and social and emotional skills. Participating in extracurriculars has been linked with a decreased risk of being bullied among children with disabilities.

The ACFPA academic support scholarships can help children and youth with their school skills. Children and youth in foster care have historically shown lower scores in math and reading skills and had a higher dropout rate. Factors such as experiencing trauma and changing placements and schools are linked to lower academic skills. These scholarships can fund tutoring, study aides and test prep classes to help children and youth catch up to their classmates.

Jennifer, an ACFPA member and Resource parent, has used Enrichment Scholarships to support her adoptive son’s love for ballet and hip-hop dance lessons. She writes, “He absolutely loves dance and has a true passion for it. This was his 3rd year dancing, and he still loves it.” Afterschool activities like dance can help children to build coordination, strength, and self-esteem.

The ACFPA scholarship program can help families access important resources in the community to help their children and young adults in their care to explore their interests, achieve academically, and prepare for adult life. Scholarship committee members can also help families to locate and apply for programs to help their children and youth thrive. Not sure where to begin? Contact us at: acfpa7@gmail.com.

Article by: Lesley Paige. Lesley is an Alameda County Resource Parent and member of the ACFPA Scholarship Committee.

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Member Only Opportunity

Sergeant-at-Arms Position – August 2022

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***Training***

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A Great Resource for Foster and Probation Youth

The Independent Living Program (ILP) serves the Foster and Probation youth in Alameda County. Their Mission is to “help foster youth meet their basic needs and become self-sufficient adults making conscious and healthy decisions”. ILP eligible youth are usually referred to ILP by their child welfare workers or probation officers. If you have a youth in your care that you think is eligible for services and has not been referred yet, speak to the youth’s child welfare worker about a referral to the program.  

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