Independent Living PA: Youth Advisory Board

OVR
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation provides services to help persons with disabilities to help them prepare for, start, and maintain employment. OVR services can include: employment assessments; job training; job placement; on the job training, and help with maintaining employment.

OVR Offices in PA

Job Corps is an education and vocational training program for individuals ages 16-24. At Job Corps, you can learn a trade and get your high school diploma or GED. Job Corps will also help you find a job after you complete the program.

For more information about Job Corps you can call 1-800-733-JOBS or go online www.jobcorps.doleta.gov.

Job Corps Offices in PA

There are a few important identification documents you need to have as an adult. These documents are important for you for things like: getting a job and cashing your paycheck, signing leases, and getting health insurance. When you leave children and youth care at age 18 or older, the agency should provide you with any permanent documents, like your birth certificate and social security card, that are in your family case file. If you end up getting these documents on your own, here is how you do it.

Important Information Documents

Find the Right School

This guide will help you navigate the many websites available in deciding which college or trade school is best for you as well as assisting in searches for financial aid.

2012-2013 Financial Aid Guide (PDF)
2012-2013 FAFSA Changes and Tips for Completion

This booklet will help you identify what kind of financial aid programs are available and give you instructions regarding applying for them. Please use the information in this booklet to locate information on financial aid.

PHEAA is state agency that administers many of the state and federal financial aid programs for students pursuing post-secondary education. You can get more information grants and scholarships through PHEAA by going online at www.pheaa.org or calling their toll-free State Grant number at 1-800-692-7435. You cal also contact one of the Regional PHEAA offices in your area listed below.

Scholarships

Education Training Grant

Eligible youth may receive up to $3,000 per year not to exceed the cost of tuition. Awards will be granted on a "first-come, first-served" basis.

Chafee FAQ, Chafee brochure

TRIO Programs

TRIO programs provide educational support for youth who want to pursue postsecondary education.

If you are in high school, look into the Talent Search and Upward Bound programs in your area. These programs will help you do well in school and prepare you for moving on to college.

GED

If you are interested in preparing for and taking the GED test, go to http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/adult_basic_and_literacy_education_(able)/8703|. On this website you can find GED preparation programs and GED testing sites in your area.

IL Program Directory

Find your local Independent Living Program. This directory lists the public and private agency IL coordinators for every county in Pennsylvania receiving federal funding.

Find apartments by location, size and price with the PA Affordable Housing Locator.

Local Housing Authorities

Find office and contact information for the Housing Authority office near you.

Health Care if You Do Not Have Health Insurance

If you do not have health insurance and need to see a doctor, go to the health center in your county. Most of these centers provide free or low cost care for people who do not have health insurance. You can also call the Pennsylvania Health Department at 1-877-PA-HEALTH for information about other health resources.

Community Health Centers

Compass

COMPASS stands for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services. Apply online for Medical Assistance or Adult Basic Health Insurance.

Supports for Youth with Disabilities:
Pennsylvania Youth Leadership Network (PYLN)

Each month join the PYLN for a lively chat for youth and young adults on topics that are important to their future. These calls are led by youth and young adults who are excited about sharing their experiences and insights with participants. During each call we will have time for youth to share their stories and ask questions. Calls are based upon a new resources developed by youth for youth called the PYLN Secondary Toolkit. Please visit the PYLN website at www.pyln.pbwiki.com for additional information.

FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH
7 to 8 P.M. EST

Call 1-309-946-5255
Enter the access code 376191#

Juvenile Law Center created this database as a resource for older youth and young adults in Pennsylvania who are aging out of the foster care system.

The county resource lists may not reflect the full array of resources available in a certain county. If you know of a resource for youth that you feel would be useful in this resource guide, or if you have any corrections to a current listing, please email us at resources@jlc.org.

Juvenile Law Center seeks to make information in the County Resource Guide as accurate and up-to-date as possible. To ensure that you get the most accurate information, we suggest that you contact the individual service agency to determine current services and eligibility requirements.

http://www.jlc.org/resources/county-resource-guide

Women, Infants and Children Offices

WIC provides some food and nutrition services to pregnant women, postpartum women, and children under age 5. You can apply for WIC at the offices listed below for your county. You can also call 1-800-WIC-WINS or 1-800-942-9467.

County Assistance Offices

You can apply for the following public benefits at your local county assistance office: