Services offered by New Life:

 New Life will connect our clients with a variety of resources within local college or trade schools. It is our belief that highlighting and emphasizing the benefits of earning a college degree or becoming certified in a specific professional trade will increase access to job opportunities, provide potentially higher salaries and will definitely lend to preparation for specialized careers.  That goes hand-in-hand with assisting in identifying admissions requirements and understanding the factors that each college or institution considers when determining admission.  This may also include attending college fairs and campus visits.  Additionally, we will continue to locate and identify programs that offer academics and support counseling, financial aid and other related services. 

 Financial literacy is the ability to understand and make informed decisions about money.  It is an important skill that can help our clients to become financially responsible adults.  Limited financial literacy and difficulty managing finances, will likely lend to struggles with basic needs.  New Life believes the most effective way to teach about financial literacy is to make it a practical and interactive process, which includes discussing money in a way that is age appropriate, involving them in real-life financial situations like grocery shopping and budgeting, and using fun activities like games or simulations to make learning engaging, also solidifying the importance of financial literacy. 

 For youth aging out of the foster care system needing healthcare, primary access to coverage is often through Medi-Cal/Medicaid, which can be available up to age 26 due to the Affordable Care Act, and prior to aging out, are eligible for Full-Scope Medi-Cal benefits through the Former Foster Youth (FFY) program.  This allows them to access full coverage regardless of income level.  We will assist in calling the local Medi-Cal - Medicaid office for specific details and assist our clients with the application process and follow up through completion, ensuring each client has access to all of the benefits they are entitled to. 

 For some youth leaving foster care, homelessness comes the day they emancipate from the foster care system; others move from a foster home into a bad housing situation only to find themselves without shelter shortly thereafter.  They often resort to sleeping on a friend’s couch, sleeping in a car, at an emergency shelter or in the park.  Some are without a steady roof over their heads for days that turn into weeks or even years.  There is no magic switch that at age 18 delivers the skills, knowledge, and support necessary for survival and success. Just as the state has a duty to provide appropriate shelter, food, and health care to children in their care, it has a duty to address the crucial developmental needs of childhood and adolescence. The consequences are severe for young people who enter adulthood without this guidance and support which solidifies the necessity for the services provided by New Life. 

New Life’s training techniques are to assist, teach, advocate and empower will be individualized to meet each clients need.  We will take a direct, hands-on and interactive approach to ensure that each and every client is able to execute the skills needed to succeed as an adult living independently. These skills include but are not limited to personal grooming; routine health maintenance; physical activities; house cleaning; meal preparation and planning social activities.

 Difficulty finding and maintaining stable employment due to limited job skills, education disruptions, and lack of support in career development has been well documented as a hindrance to youth aging out of the foster care system.  According to available data, a significant majority of youth aging out of foster care do not attend college, with estimates suggesting that only around 3-5% go on to earn a four-year college degree, meaning over 95% of foster youth do not pursue a college education after leaving the foster care system.  Even graduating high school can be a struggle for many foster youths, further limiting their college options.  There are many options for youth that are aging out of the foster care system that have decided they do not wish to enroll or pursue a college degree, such as trade school, apprenticeships, Youth Employment Opportunities Programs and many other options, including a career in the military, US Coast Guard or Job Corp.  New Life will discuss and connect our clients with appropriate advisors to assist with making the best decisions for them, and help/support with the follow through to meet their goals. 

 The foster care system houses a large percentage of youth who already have or will eventually be touched by the juvenile justice system. Children in the foster care system commonly juggle many difficulties ranging from inconsistent levels of supervision to blatant disregard by a system claiming to want to help.  During our interaction with youth preparing to age out of foster care and have some association(s) with the justice system, we will assist with efforts to obtain a clean juvenile record or connect our clients with agencies designed to further assist and will provide hands-on support, transportation & guidance with follow through until competition. 

New Life’s professional legal advocacy team works within the legal system to support and advocate for our client's and their rights.  We focus on helping our clients navigate the legal process and achieve just outcomes.  Our responsibilities as we advocate for our clients are to provide information and educate, offer support and guidance, connect clients with resources, act as a liaison, accompany our clients to court, empower clients and advocate for systemic change. 

 New Life has secured resources and are equipped to make referrals that can and will get the appropriate help needed for our clients.  In the event we have concerns or observe any unusual changes, our immediate course of action is to consider talking to them about seeking professional help from a doctor or mental health professional who can conduct a proper assessment and provide additional needed services and/or referrals.  Should mental health counselling be considered a necessity, we will ensure that our client has transportation and resources so that they can meet with their counselor as scheduled. 

 Absence of a stable family unit to provide guidance and support during the transition to adulthood can be very scary.  Youth and young people in foster care face many challenges as they transition into adulthood and prepare to live on their own. While all youth may struggle to achieve self-sufficiency and independence, youth in foster care face additional obstacles and often benefit from extra support which New Life’s hands-on empathetic approach will help make this process easier.  If our client is willing, we will assess and discuss possibilities to connect our client with their family.  This could be pivotal to the healing process of not only our client, but their family member(s). 

 Research tells us that increased vulnerability to substance abuse due to coping mechanisms often develop during challenging experiences.  To advocate for foster youth with substance abuse issues, we continue to educate yourselves about the unique challenges faced by these children, actively communicate with child welfare agencies to seek more knowledge, appropriate treatment and support services, build strong relationships with the youth's case worker and therapist; always prioritizing the youths needs and well-being while advocating for their best interests.  New Life will be available in whatever capacity is needed to assist in their success. New Life will take necessary steps to ensure that each individual client is connected with the appropriate resource for them. We have connected ourselves with a specific group of professionals whose education and experience can definitely benefit our client in need of support and/or one-on-one direct services. 

  Advocating for pregnant teens involves creating supportive environments that prioritize their well-being, reproductive health and future success.  This includes promoting access to resources, education and care, while also challenging stigmas and discrimination they may face. New Life’s advocacy and support techniques will include hands-on support to ensure that our clients get prenatal care, education and counselling, financial assistance, mental health support, housing and transportation. One of the biggest challenges will be to help get past negative stereotypes and speaking out against stigmas and discriminatory attitudes towards teen pregnancy and parenting.  New Life is up for the challenge.