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Resources

Guide to Turning 18

This Guide to Turning 18 can be helpful for emancipated minors as well.

Emancipation Packet

This document contains comprehensive information about becoming an emancipated minor in Montana, including the necessary forms.

Reach Higher Montana hosts a 2-day Summitt each year for foster youth interested in attending higher education. Each year the summit is held on a Montana college campus where you will experience life in the dorms and on campus for a week. Meet other foster youth, learn how to get scholarships (free money!) for school, cook for yourself, and more! Even better, all participants get a free laptop after attending the summit to prep them for higher education! To learn more about the Reach Higher Summit or apply for this years summit, visit

Hopa Mountain is an awesome organization that provides mentoring and assistance to former foster youth and Native American youth pursuing higher education. If you are looking to apply to a college or trade school or are currently a student, Hopa Mountain provide advice, purchase your textbooks, and help you apply for FAFSA and scholarships.

Trio

Trio provides academic tutoring and mentoring, assistance in applying for financial aid and scholarships, and other great resources to low income Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, first generation Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, and Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ with disabilities. Some Trio programs also help Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who are homeless or aged out of the foster care system secure temporary housing during school breaks.

This is the most important source of funding to apply for. The applications are need-based. By applying, you could qualify an up to $6,095 Pell Grant.

These scholarships are available for former foster youth pursuing college, university, or vocational training programs. Depending on your cost of attendance you may be able to get $5,000 a year to help pay for tuition, textbooks, and living costs.

Every year, Reach Higher Montana awards $1,000 scholarships to high schoolers and college Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ across Montana. The only qualification for this scholarship is that you must have graduated or will be graduating from a Montana high school and plan to attend a university or college in the state.

These scholarships are between $2,500-$5,000 annually depending on financial need and academic merit and are renewable for up to 5 years.

These are only a sliver of the many scholarships that are available to you. Your high school or college advisory would be able to help you find many more scholarships that you are eligible for.

There are great options available for those who want to gain skills in a particular career field, especially in trade fields.

Job Corps is a free training and education program where you can earn a high school diploma or equivalency while learning a trade. There are two Jobs Corps Centers in Montana, the Trapper Creek Job Corps and the Kicking Horse Job Corps. If are between 16-24 years old and interested in learning a trade, Jobs Corps is a great choice.

AmeriCorps is a trainings program that has positions lasting from 3 months to a year in length. The type of job placements are very diverse. You could spend your AmeriCorps term building and clearing trails as part of a crew in the National Forests to working at a food bank or summer camp program. AmeriCorps members get a modest monthly living stipend as well as an education award at the completion of their service term that can be used towards attending higher education or paying off student loans.

If you on-the-job learning to build skills in a trade, an apprenticeship is right for you. There are many ways to go about securing an apprenticeship. You can simply approach a business or company that you would be interested in being an apprentice at and propose the idea (Your high school counselor or transitional living worker will be able to help you with this). You can also seek a registered apprenticeship by applying for an apprenticeship through Apprenticeship.gov. 

Coping with holidays and birthdays in foster care can be tough. You may be separated from your siblings, out of contact with family members, and feeling like an outsider. These feelings are normal, believe me. But I know that doesn’t make these special occasions any easier. Here are a four tips on how to get through the holidays from people that have lived it firsthand.

1. Stay connected to your people

Find ways to stay connected with the people who matter in your life. Write letters, make phone calls, make homemade gifts, and ask your caseworkers to arrange visits.

2. Advocate for your needs

You know yourself best. Ask yourself what you need to feel the most comfortable and loved during the holidays or on your birthday and ask for it from your foster family, group home staff, or caseworker. Advocate for visits with family members or friends.

3. Find an outlet

Using a creative outlet like writing, drawing, finger painting, collaging can be a great way to release emotions during a hard time. Keep a journal. Write letters to loved ones even if you cannot send them, such as people you are missing or who you’ve lost.

4. Visit others who may also feel lonely

There are many others who may feel alone during the holidays. Volunteering at a local retirement home is a great way to spend time connecting with others who may feel lonely during the holiday season. If you’re an animal person, spending some time volunteering and snuggling cats or dogs (depending what kind of person you are), can be a fulfilling way to cuddle away the holiday or birthday blues.

We hope these tips help. But we also understand if they don’t. At times it is important to let yourself feel bad when things are crumby. Be kind to yourself, but let yourself feel how you feel. Eat a cookie. Listen to some good music. Watch some Netflix. Take care of yourself. 

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is an important legal document that is required for your child to receive specialized education services. It identifies your child’s learning needs, the services the school will provide, and how progress will be measured.

What is the IEP Process?

Parents, case managers, teachers, a counselor, a doctor or anyone else who suspects a child is struggling academically can request an evaluation. The school psychologist and other professionals may give your child various tests. They may observe your child in the classroom. Keep in mind that a physician or another medical professional (not the school) diagnoses medical conditions like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). School evaluators do not offer “diagnoses.”

A 504 plan is a formal plan that schools develop to give children with disabilities the supports they need. These plans prevent discrimination and protect the rights of children with disabilities in school. These plans are covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which is a civil rights law. These plans are not part of special education so they don’t provide individualized instruction as IEPs do. A central purpose of 504 plans is to give children with disabilities access to the same education their classmates are receiving.

What is the 504 Process?

The process for getting a 504 plan is much different, and simpler than the process for getting an IEP, but it varies between school districts. Children do not need to receive a full evaluation to get a 504 plan, although many do. In fact, schools often suggest a 504 plan if a child does not qualify for special education but needs support. With 504 plans, schools review information about a student from a variety of sources. One source utilized might be a medical diagnosis. Schools might also look at the student’s grades, test scores, and teacher recommendations.

Parents or schools can request a 504 plan through the school district’s 504 coordinator, who may also be the IEP coordinator. (Ask the principal if you are unsure who to contact.) The request must be made in writing. The school will then hold a meeting to decide if the child qualifies and what supports are appropriate.

To get a 504 plan, there are two requirements:

• The child has a disability, which can include many learning or concentration problems.
• The disability must interfere with the child’s ability to learn in a general education classroom.

There is no standard 504 plan. Unlike an IEP, a 504 plan does not have to be a written document, although a written plan is recommended. A 504 plan generally includes the following criteria or components:

• Specific accommodations, supports or services for the child
• Names of who will provide each service
• Name of the person responsible for ensuring the plan is developed

Additional Resources