Youth 411
Employment & Vocational Resources
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
OVR 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.
Job Corps
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.
Important Information/Documents
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
Your Education
Finding 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.
Financial Aid Guide
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
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
Eligible youth may receive up to $5,000 per year not to exceed the cost of tuition. Awards will be granted on a "first-come, first-served" basis.
Other Scholarships
Find scholarships listed by category
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 www.able.state.ps.us/able/cwp/view. On this website you can find GED preparation programs and GED testing sites in your area.
Independent Living Services
IL Program Private Provider Programs
Find IL programs and contact information in your area of the state.
IL Program County Staff Directory
Staff directory of each Independent Living program for each county in Pennsylvania.
Housing
PA Affordable Housing Locator
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 & Mental Health
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.
Compass
COMPASS stands for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services. Apply online for Medical Assistance or Adult Basic Health Insurance.
Public Benefits
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:
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- General Assistance (GA)
- Food Stamps
- Medical Assistance (MA)
- Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
COMPASS stands for Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Access to Social Services. Apply online for Medical Assistance or Adult Basic Health Insurance.
You can also file the application online at https://www.humanservices.state.pa.us/compass/PGM/ASP/SC001.asp.