Life in foster care can be confusing. Without useful information, figuring out what to do and what choices you have can be difficult. Educating yourself about the foster care system and process will help you know what to expect. There are many resources and tools available to help prepare you for a variety of events and challenges, such as moving out on your own, pursuing your education, searching for a job, managing your money, and more. Use the following resources to learn about the life changes, or "transitions," that may occur while you are in foster care or preparing to transition from foster care.
Know Your Rights Guide: Chapter 1 – Rights Related to Family and Permanency
Pokempner (2020)
Juvenile Law Center
Presents information on the rights of youth in care relating to being with and contacting family as well as services that should be received. This chapter of the guide offers tips on permanency goals, reunification, termination of parental rights, adoption, legal custodianship, kinship placement, permanency pacts, getting to permanency, and more.
Let's Talk! My Path to My Future (PDF - 12,452 KB)
Oklahoma Department of Human Services (2018)
Offers a list of rights for children in foster care and presents information on the importance of self-advocacy, resilience, confidence, and decision-making for youth. The resource reviews goal setting and helps youth consider permanency options and plan for their futures.
Permanency Pact: Life-Long, Kin-Like Connections Between a Youth and a Supportive Adult: A Free Tool to Support Permanency for Youth in Foster Care (PDF - 2,560 KB)
FosterClub (2017)
Provides information about developing a verbalized agreement, or pact, between a young person in foster care who is preparing to transition to adulthood without a permanent family and a supportive adult. The pact establishes a kin-like relationship between the young person and an adult who pledges to provide the youth with specific supports.
Young Adult, Formerly in Foster Care: Having the Right People Ask the Right Questions [Video]
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (2017)
Showcases a video that is part of the Authentic Voices video series. This video shares a story from Raven, a youth formerly in foster care, about her experience in foster care. The video highlights the importance of speaking up and finding a permanent, caring person who is supportive and willing to help.