Gaining Independence
Getting a Job and Keeping It
Understanding Money and Credit
Accessing Supports and Resources
Getting a Job and Keeping It
If one of your goals in your transition plan is to get some job experience and earn money, the ILP coordinator in your county can assist you in that process. Here are some more resources to help you. You may also want to take a look at resources in the Occupational Wellness section of this website, including Learn-Work-Live Programs that provide housing and income support while you receive on-the-job training and work experience. You will also find a job+career planning tool in that section.
Know Before You Go: Get that Job and Keep It
This interactive packet is designed to assist youth and their job coaches in the journey toward getting a job, keeping the job, and moving on from it when the time is right. It will help you get yourself “job ready” and give you guidelines and tips on how to stay professional on the job, addressing everything from time management to work relationships and dealing with conflict. You’ll find helpful explanations, worksheets, checklists, and links throughout the guide. This guide is best used in conjunction with a Google account and a supportive adult mentor that can serve as a Job Coach. Although some references are to Los Angeles area resources, the overall content is applicable to foster youth statewide. This is a joint publication of the Alliance for Children’s Rights and the Children’s Law Center of California as part of the Know Before You Go Initiative for transitioning foster youth. To find out more, go to Knowb4ugo.org.
Get that Job
This is a tip sheet for foster youth ages 16-24 with links to resources, information about work permits, and how to nail an interview — including where to get the clothes! Produced as part of the Know Before You Go Toolkit.
Career One Stop - Get My Future
This web portal for youth age 16-24 includes tools and resources that will help you write a resume, find training, get work experience, and more. From the U.S. Labor Department.
California Employment Services for Youth
This is the youth services web page on the California Employment Development Department (EDD). It provides key resources links to youth education and training programs, career development services, employment experience opportunities, and summer youth employment. If you are looking for a job, be sure to check out these programs:
- Youth Employment Opportunity Program
This EDD program provides mentors and peer advisors for youth ages 15-25 with referrals to job development and support services, workshops and trainings.
Know Your Rights!
My Life My Rights – My Work
Get answers to your questions about youth employment and the requirements for getting a work permit.
Youth Rules!
U.S Department of Labor information on the rights of young workers.
Identification Documents
From U.S. Department of Education, Foster Care Transition Toolkit, Washington, D.C. 2016.
When you are applying for a job, you will be asked to provide documents to prove things like your identity, citizenship, and place of residence. Federal law requires your child welfare agency to provide you with the following documents before leaving foster care (if you have been in foster care at least 6 months):
- An official or certified copy of your birth certificate
- Your social security card
- A driver’s license or ID card
These documents are often needed to do things like sign up for government benefits, enroll in school, start employment, or obtain a credit card.
Although these documents are required to be given to you before you leave foster care, you may find you need them earlier than this, or you may need to replace them later on. Here is information on why you need these documents and links to more information.
Birth Certificate This document will help you prove your legal identity and age. It can be required to obtain many other official documents like passports, enroll in school, or sign up for government benefits. If you were born in the US you must contact the vital records office in the state in which you were born. To get a copy of your birth certificate, check out Replace Your Vital Records or Where to Write for Vital Records. If you were born abroad you must contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the country in which you were born.
Social Security
Number (SSN
) When you apply to college, jobs, or credit cards, or to
obtain a state or government issued identification, you will need your SSN as
proof of your identity. To learn how to apply for a new or replacement social security card, check out the
Social Security Frequently Asked Questions.
Government Issued
Photo Identification (ID
) To enroll in school or have a job, you will need a
government issued photo ID. This can be a driver’s license or other state
issued ID card, a passport, military ID, or
other identification listed on page nine of the I-9 form. You can get a photo ID from your local Department of
Motor Vehicles.
Identification Plan
Use this tool to help you identify what personal identification papers you need, what resources are available to help you obtain needed records, and what your plan is to secure these as you transition into adulthood.
