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Celebrating Foster Care Month!
May Edition 2023
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May is Foster Care Month and a time to celebrate the amazing people that go into making this community so dynamic. In this newsletter, we will explore ways to promote awareness this month and take a moment to shine some appreciation for some of the incredible individuals who work tirelessly to support the foster youth within our network. | |
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FREE Government ID for
Foster Youth
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Having state identification is an important part of becoming an independent adult. You need state issued photo id to get a job, open a bank account, sign up for government benefits like SNAP or FY HUD vouchers, to rent an apartment, enroll in college, get medical treatment, vote, and so much more!
iFoster has partnered with Project ID Action to help cover the costs of getting or replacing your State Issued Government Photo Identification Cards or Driver’s License. We can even help pay for other vital documents like a birth certificate that’s required to get your state issued ID.
Any current or former foster or kinship youth age 16+ is eligible.
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IMPORTANT SNAP (Food Stamps) CHANGES | |
Yes, the temporary increase in SNAP benefits due to the pandemic has ended. But this doesn’t mean that SNAP isn’t worth enrolling in. And with the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 more current and former foster youth are now eligible.
If you are a college student who was in foster care and you are not receiving SNAP, it is likely you are eligible under expanded eligibility criteria. This expansion is temporary so you must apply before June 9, 2023. You can do this by going to your local SNAP office or schedule a call with iFoster's Government Benefits Counselor who can assist you through this process.
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Celebrating Foster Care Month with Zoom Events! | |
Our outstanding TAY AmeriCorps youth want to celebrate their lived experience in recognition of National Foster Care Month. They are hosting 3 Zoom events this year spotlighting authors who are former foster youth and unveiling this year’s Voice of the Community report and Lived Experience Guide to Fixing Foster Care. | |
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May 15 Storytelling with
David Ambroz
Suitable for older youth (age
14 to 26), our TAY AmeriCorps interns have invited David Ambroz to discuss his memoir, A Place Called Home. This new book is his powerful account of growing up in foster care and overcoming adversity to become a lawyer and executive at Amazon. We’ll chat with David, play some games, and raffle off signed copies of David’s book.
Join the iFoster Family!
Monday, May 15, 2023
7:30pm to 9:00pm EST
4:30pm to 6:00pm PST
Space is limited register
early here!
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May 20 “I Love You More
than Cereal” Story Time
For children up to grade 8 or
anyone who is a child at heart, our TAY AmeriCorps interns will be reading the new book, I Love You More than Cereal. This is a heart-warming story about love and family written by two former foster youth who are now married and have started a family of their
own. There will be fun activities, games and raffle for copies of this book.
Join the iFoster Family!
Saturday, May 20, 2023
1pm-2pm EST
10am-11am PST
Space is limited, register early here!
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May 23 Lived Experience
Guide to Fixing Foster Care
The Lived Experience Guide to Fixing Foster Care lifts up 6,000 lived experience voices from every state in the nation. Foster Youth,
Caregivers and Front-Line Workers believe the child welfare system needs to, and can be fixed with practical solutions from Entry to Exit. Join our TAY AmeriCorps
interns in a panel discussion with research, policy and practice experts.
Join the iFoster Family!
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
2pm-3:00pm EST
11am-12:00pm PST
Space is limited, register early here!
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Thank You Caregivers! Nominate a Caring Adult to WIN! | |
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iFoster wants to recognize the incredible, tireless efforts of our Caregivers and Supportive Adults. Nominate a Caring Adult in Your Life, and they could win a $100 shopping spree at Walmart.
The deadline for submission is May 14, 2023, so get your nominations in!
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iFoster NV Youth Policy Discussion with Rep. Horsford
On May 6, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) met with our TAY AmeriCorps peer interns in Las Vegas for a powerful session sharing life experiences and exploring possible legislative solutions to the problems Clark County foster youth face as they age out of care. Thank you to Rep Horsford for funding the iFoster Jobs Program in Clark County and for his heartfelt engagement with our youth. And another huge thank you to our incredible NV TAY peer interns
for their professionalism and dedication to helping others.
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Coming Soon! TAY Public Health AmeriCorps
iFoster is expanding its AmeriCorps programs with the launch of TAY Public Health AmeriCorps
(TPHA). iFoster has received a $4.3 million grant, for 3 years, for paid 6 to 10 month internships
in healthcare. A pathway into healthcare careers, current and former foster youth will be trained in patient services including scheduling medical appointments and assisting with resource navigation and government benefits enrollment. Youth can also earn free certifications in high-need healthcare jobs, such as Medical Assistants, Community Health Workers, and Peer Specialists. Our Community Health Center partners are guaranteeing first in-line interviews and permanent jobs to successful grads.
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Thank You Florida Caregivers! Our e-Grocery Card Pilot Worked!
iFoster tested out some new technology last month with Florida iFoster Members. Our volunteers tested the new SKU-X platform, receiving e-gift cards via text message that could be used at Walmart. The test was a huge success, so be on the lookout for future offers from iFoster using this new platform. The next one up is in this newsletter, nominating caring people in your lives during foster care month.
“I was skeptical at first because who was going to just give me $100! But I took the chance and was really pleased when it worked so easily at the register. I’m fostering 7 kids at the moment so the extra groceries were a huge blessing. Sign me up for any more!”
FL Foster Parent
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For more information, please contact: iFoster Support at
855-936-7837 / text 530-550-8001/ support@ifoster.org
Must be an iFoster Member/ Register at www.ifoster.org, it's free!
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