Everyone is stressed and distressed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Children and young adults involved in the child welfare system face additional challenges and have unique rights and resources.  As the leading advocate for children’s rights, Florida’s Children First, along with members of Florida Youth SHINE are committed to providing resources tailored to this special population of young people.

This Health Care Q & A Tip Sheet is intended to help former foster youth understand how to access health care whether or not they have health coverage.

This Economic Stimulus Payment Tip Sheet is intended to help youth who had child welfare involvement understand how to obtain a stimulus payment. (Updated 4.6.21)

This Income Tax Tip Sheet is intended to give youth who had child welfare involvement some items to consider when filing your taxes. (Updated 4.6.21)

Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Insurance)  provides critical information about unemployment benefits. (Updated 4.16.20)

Freaked About Finances, address the most pressing issue – what to do when facing the loss of income. (Added 3.26.20)

COVID-19 Tips for Professionals offers adult professionals, volunteers and frontline staff who work with young people information to share with the youth they serve.  (Added 3.26.20)

Florida Youth SHINE and its partner Vita Nova are maintaining a running resource list for foster youth and their supporters.