Resource List

GET HELP: Emergency Hotlines and Support Organizations

• NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE:
  call 988
  or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

• SEXUAL & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE:
  1-800-838-8238
  Statewide S/DV Chat Hotline (confidential instant messaging) Text: 804.793.9999
• TRANS LIFE-LINE: or 877-565-8860 or
• LGBTQ+ YOUTH SUPPORT LINE: 888-644-4390
  Text: 804-793-9999
• Virginia LGBTQ+ Helpline: 866-356-6998
  Text: 804-793-9999
• LGBTQ+ FOSTER CARE HELPLINE:
  866-LBGTeen (542-8336)
• HELP IN YOUR COMMUNITY—VIRGINIA 211:
  Dial 2-1-1 (or www.211virginia.org)
  free information on available community services
• The Trevor Project (Youth): 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678

Legal Assistance/

• Legal Aid (866-534-5243)
• Virginia Poverty Law Center (800-868-8752)
• Justice 4 All, Legal Aid Justice Center
• Legal rights of juveniles 

Education

Legal Assistance:

• Legal Aid Justice Center (Legal Aid Justice Center)
  Offices in Charlottesville, Petersburg and Richmond
  1-800-578-8111

Applying to College/Vocational School:

• Virginia Education Wizard
• Great Expectations community college program
• Vocational/Trade schools
• Student Aid
• Big Future
• College Navigator
• Virginia Workforce Credential Grant

LGBTQ+ Student Support

• TAP:Transgender Assistance Program of Virginia (or call 9am-5pm 757-563-4784)
• Virginia LGBTQ+ Helpline: 866-356-6998
  Text: 804-793-9999

Financial aid for college:

• Community College Financial Assistance Programs
• G3 Financial Aid: Virginia Career programs
• Virginia two-year college transfer grant
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• College Scholarships
• Financial Aid for Current and Former Foster Youth
• Foster Care to Success Scholarships
• Education and Training Vouchers
• Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant for Private Colleges (VTAG)

Housing Support:

• My Path Forward Virginia: Independent Living Program
• Project Hope: for college students experiencing homelessness

Money/Consumer issues

• Opportunity Passport
• MyMoney.gov
• CreditKarma: learn about and manage your credit
• Managing your money
• Managing debt
• Request free copy of your credit report
• Better Business Bureau
• Managing college money and opening a bank account
• Dealing with debt collectors

Driving a Car

• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
• Buying a used car

Health Care

• Public benefits application

—Health Insurance Coverage After Age 18:

• Assistance for free health insurance for former foster youth to age 26 or call 1-855-8282
• Find Health Insurance if you are not covered through your work, and are are older than 26 or were not in foster care at 18.

—Mental and Emotional Health:

• FAQs on Depression
• General Information on Mental Health
• Local Community Services Boards providing mental health care
• Mental Health Information for Teens and Young Adults
• Mental Health Virginia “Warm Line” or call 1-866-400-MHAV

—Resources for Healing From Abuse:

• Healing from sexual abuse or call 1-800-838-8238

—Information about birth control, dating, and sexuality:

• Info for Teens
• Resources for pregnant teens
• Victims of sexual or relationship violence

—Planned Parenthood clinics in Virginia:

1-800-230-PLAN or Planned Parenthood

Clinic Locations:

• Charlottesville 434-296-1000
• Hampton 757-826-2079
• Richmond 804-355-4358
• Roanoke 540-562-3457
• Virginia Beach 757-499-7526

Employment

• Job Corps or call (800) 733-JOBS (There are Job Corps centers located in Marion, Coeburn, Monroe and Washington, DC).
• Virginia Workforce Centers for job seekers
• Apprenticeship programs, Virginia Department of Labor
• Workplace credential apprentice programs

Housing/Independent Living

• Public Housing Agencies in Virginia
• Security deposits
• Housing Choice Vouchers
• Tips for Tenants
• Buying a home
• Eviction Defense Center
• Chafee Independent Living Transition Planning
• My Path Forward Virginia
• Project Hope: for college students experiencing homelessness

Parenting

• Families Forward Virginia 
• Resources for Parents or call 1-800-CHILDREN

Connecting with Others

• FosterClub: National Network for Foster Youth
• Foster My Future: Virginia DSS Foster Youth Portal
• Foster Care Alumni of America Virginia chapter
• Think of Us: Transforming Nation’s Child Welfare System
• Aging Out Institute
• Project Life: Lifelong Connections 
• Foster Youth Congressional Internship
• Opening Doors for LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care
• The Imprint Youth voices rising
• Virginia’s Youth in Action
• Side by Side Virginia for LGBTQ+ Virginia youth
• National Foster Youth Institute national voices