Youth in foster care are becoming increasingly aware of their own potential to effect change for themselves personally and within the system. One avenue that allows them to learn more about their own rights and responsibilities, and that can lead to empowerment for them, is the use of handbooks written for and about young people in care.

• Overview of Foster Care Handbooks
  The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) website contains an Overview of Foster Care Handbooks by Terry Harrak and Maria Garin Jones. This paper lists the components of effective handbooks and evaluates five publications on the basis of critical subject areas.

Resources From the States

• California
  Fight for Your Rights: A Guidebook for California Foster Youth
  This guidebook from the National Center for Youth Law was authored by a former foster youth who is also an attorney with the NCYL. Its goal is to inform foster youth, former foster youth, and advocates about the services and issues that are important to youth preparing for the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency. (2004)

• Colorado
  What Happens to Me Now?: Handbooks for Colorado Children Who Are Not Living at Home
  The Colorado Court Improvement Project has developed age-appropriate handbooks in both English and Spanish for children ages 3-6, 7-12, and 13-18.

• Illinois
  Illinois Handbook
  Illinois has published Putting it All Together, A Handbook for Youth.

• Maine
  Maine Youth Leadership Advisory Team
  The Maine Youth Leadership Advisory Team has completed Answers Handbook and published it online. For additional information, contact:
  Youth Leadership Advisory Team (YLAT)
  Penthea Burns, YLAT Coordinator
  Phone: 877-792-YLAT (Toll Free)
  Email: pburns@usm.maine.edu

  Influencing Public Policy in Your State: A Guide for Youth in Care
  This guidebook from the Maine Youth Leadership Advisory Team helps young people who are in custody (through foster care or juvenile justice) gain the skills and confidence they need to testify at hearings or meet with public officials.

• Maryland
  A Handbook For Youth: Out of Home Placement - Foster Care
  

• Missouri
  What's It All About?
  Originally written in 1992; revised in 1996 and 2001.

• Nebraska
  Know Your Rights: A Guide for Youth in Nebraska's Foster Care System
  This guidebook from the Nebraska Court Improvement Project is intended to help foster youth understand their rights and the services available to them while they are in the system and once they leave the system.

• New Mexico
  What's Going On?
  A coloring booklet for children in foster care.

• New York
  Handbook for Youth in Foster Care
  This handbook, in both English and Spanish from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services is for youth placed in foster care through local departments of social services (DSS). It was written for youth entering foster care for the first time as well as youth already in foster care. The handbook describes youths' rights and responsibilities while in foster care. It also describes what happens when they are older and leaving foster care. It represents minimum New York State requirements, but specific counties or agencies may have some additional rules.

  Your Rights in Foster Care
  Lawyers for Children is a not-for-profit organization in New York City dedicated to representing children in foster care.

  The Rights of Pregnant & Parenting Teens
  This is written specifically for New York law, but contains useful information for youths in other jurisdictions. From the New York Civil Liberties Union.

  Oregon:
  A Teen's Legal Guide to Foster Care In Oregon
  This guide from the Juvenile Rights Project is intended to answer some of the questions foster youth might have about legal rights, foster care, and about going to court.

  Pennsyvlania
  Know Your Rights: A Guide for Dependent Youth in Pennsylvania
  In cooperation with KidsVoice and members of the Pennsylvania Youth Advisory Board, Juvenile Law Center issued this guide, which is based on Pennsylvania law. It provides youth with information about their legal rights in the substitute care system and about how they can advocate for themselves. The guide is presented in a question and answer format and covers many of the issues that are important to teenagers in care.

  Rhode Island
  Rhode Island Youth Advisory Board
  The Rhode Island Youth Advisory Board has published Questions for Youth in DCYF Care online.

  Texas
  Texas Foster Care Handbook for Youth
  Written collaboratively by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the DFPS Youth Leadership Committee.

  Canada
  National Youth in Care Network
  The National Youth in Care Network is a Canadian organization for and by youth in care. They offer The Real Deal, a guidebook for youth in and from care in Ontario which provides information on rights, education, health, recreation and a number of other areas of interest to youth.