2026 Michigan Teen Conference Resources for Life Toolkit
RESOURCES FOR LIFE
This toolkit is provided as a convenient guide to the many resources and opportunities available to you as you prepare for and begin your life as a successful adult. Each entry contains contact information that will make it easy for you to follow up later and access programs, services, and products when you need them.
EDUCATION
Campus Based Support Programs in Michigan: A list of schools in Michigan with support on campus for youth with experience in foster care, including direct links to program descriptions and contact information.
Financial Aid Toolkit for Students: Includes everything you need to know to help pay for college in Michigan.
Handbook for Youth in Foster Care: The purpose of this handbook is to help you: understand what is happening while you are in foster care; know who people are and what they are supposed to do; know what documents are available and their purpose; maneuver your way through foster care; get what you need.
Student Advocacy Center: Student Advocacy Center of Michigan helps students in grades K-12 stand up for their rights when they are suspended, expelled, denied special education support, or faced with racism or some other barrier at school.
www.FosteringSuccessMichigan.com: The FSM (Fostering Success Michigan) website includes over 600 library resources for students and professionals including podcasts, webinars, toolkits and more!
HOUSING
AYA Youth Collective: Drop in and housing shelter in the Grand Rapids area focused on supporting youth ages 14-24 experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.
Affordable Housing: Interactive tool that helps you find housing in Michigan by zip code or county.
Housing Assessment and Resource Agency Contact List: This is a list of housing agencies by county in Michigan operated through state government and HUD. Be sure to mention that you have experience in foster care as you may qualify for HUD’s Foster youth to Independence Initiative (FYI).
MSHDA - Housing Choice Voucher Program (michigan.gov): This federal program provides rent subsidies for very low-income people who find their own housing in private homes and apartment buildings
Our House: Offers housing support and scholarships for youth with experience in foster care. The org also offers an annual camp, connection to mentors, and employment opportunities for youth in the Washtenaw area.
Partnership Center: Offers housing financial support to Saginaw residents. Provides assistance with energy, heat, and water shut offs, rent, security deposits, fees and application processes, and household furnishings.
River Jordan: Provides transitional housing programming for youth ages 18-21 in the Bay City area.
Underground Railroad, INC: Provides shelter and support for folks on the southeast side of the state who are victims of domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking.
ZOOM Transitional Housing for Foster Youth: Nonprofit focused on providing affordable housing for young adults who are aging out of the foster care system, currently on the Southeast side of the state.
PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH
Child and Family Services of Saginaw: Provides crisis, counseling, and wellness services in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor. Provides 24/7 support.
Delta Dental: Medicaid beneficiaries—including those enrolled in Healthy Kids Dental—may receive their dental benefits through a Medicaid Health Plan. Many health plans in Michigan choose to partner with Delta Dental as their dental benefit administrator.
Foster Youth in Transition: Health & Wellness: Provides resources and information for youth transitioning out of care in Michigan on mental and behavioral health topics, including depression, suicide, relationships, feelings, eating disorders, substance use, and problem gambling.
Foster Care Transitional Medicaid Brochure: Provides an overview of what you need to know about medical assistance for youth aging out of foster care.
Imperfection is Perfection: A 30-Day Journey to Self Care & Self-Love: Tyanna McClain takes readers on a journey to self-care and self-love. This book educates the audience on how to unwind while also learning about and falling in love with themselves.
LivingtheExtraordinaryLife.com: Kim Stribling provides Life Coaching services and presented the “Be the Best You” during Michigan Teen Conference 2022! With over 25 years of experience, Kim is a solution-focused Life Coach who helps her clients move forward and get unstuck from whatever negative situation is holding them back. She will hone in, give attention, and focus on the “real person” to develop desired goals to create successful outcomes. Kim specializes in a variety of services and settings! Reach out to Kim for details on costs and services.
Meridian of Michigan: Provides Medicaid Health Insurance in Michigan. Look on your medicaid insurance card for the name of your carrier. If it says Meridian, you can visit this website to learn more about services you are eligible to receive. They can also help you navigate your healthcare.
Molina Healthcare: Provides Medicaid Health Insurance in Michigan. Look on your medicaid insurance card for the name of your carrier. If it says Molina, you can visit this website to learn more about services you are eligible to receive. They can also help you navigate your healthcare.
Priority Health: Provides Medicaid Health Insurance in Michigan. Look on your medicaid insurance card for the name of your carrier. If it says Priority Health, you can visit this website to learn more about services you are eligible to receive. They can also help you navigate your healthcare.
Medicaid Health Insurance/Transitional Medicaid: Foster Care Transitional Medicaid (FCTMA) is a form of Medicaid established for youth who transition from foster care. Youth who age out of foster care are eligible for FCTMA once the foster care Medicaid case is closed and he/she meets eligibility criteria. This applies to former foster care youth and young adults ages 18 to 26.
Saginaw Psychological Services, Inc: Saginaw Psychological Services, Inc. is a private, multidisciplinary, outpatient Clinic that has served the mental health and substance use needs of adults and children in the greater Saginaw area. If you live in the Saginaw tri-county area, you can reach out to them for services.
988 Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call or text 988 to connect with a trained suicide prevention counselor.
CULTURAL & PERSONAL IDENTITY
Resilient Voices and Beyond Podcast: Michael D. Davis-Thomas host The Resilient Voices and Beyond Podcast which gives individuals who were impacted by the child welfare system the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences. The podcast also focuses on sharing the hard work to better the child welfare system. The podcast addresses several different groups involved in the change including community partners, advocates, state and federal government agencies, policy makers, etc..
River Jordan: Offers training in a variety of topics including foster care recovery, human trafficking, relationships, and changing your story.
Ruth Ellis Center: The Ruth Ellis Center in Detroit creates opportunities with LGBTQ+ young people to build their vision for a positive future. The Ruth Ellis Center has established a national reputation for quality and innovation in providing trauma-informed services for lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ+) youth, and young adults, with an emphasis on young people of color, experiencing homelessness, involved in the child welfare system, and/or experiencing barriers to health and wellbeing.
LIFE SKILLS
Graff Chevrolet/Bay City, MI: Steve Humphry provides tips and advice to youth and MYOI coordinators shopping for autos. Coordinators and youth can contact Steve to set an appointment to test drive inventory typically in the $2500-$5000 range. Email Steve above or call 989-684-4411 for more information.
Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative: MYOI's goal is to ensure that young people in foster care have successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, community engagement and health. Each site provides youth boards, community partner boards, training, financial matches for assets, and stipends.
Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency: Help with housing and money management, work and study life, daily living skills and self-care, careers and education planning, and the future and looking forward for youth who are homeless, couch surfing, or thinking of running away from home.
MSU Extension: Michigan State University offers a variety of life skills courses. Some of these courses include banking basics, budgeting, foundations of gardening, food preservation, nutrition, and more.
PartnerShift Network: Provides Saginaw residents with resources to increase academic achievement, employability skills, and workforce solutions. PartnerShift Network collaborates with business, education, and community leaders to provide budget development assistance, skills training, career exploration, and more.
Lead Confidently: Nonprofit organization that partners with schools, sports teams, foster homes, and more to provide soft skills training. Reach out to learn more.
FINANCES/EMPLOYMENT
American Axle & Manufacturing: Offers an Early Career Support Program as well as internship opportunities in the industry and trades field. Check out this page to learn more about these opportunities and if you qualify.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Apply for the FAFSA each year by March 1st to be considered for federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships! If you were in foster care at age 13 or older, be sure to answer “YES” on Question #53! **Completing the FAFSA can be confusing! Reach out to your caseworker, MYOI coordinator, Education Planner, or school counselor for help!
FreeTaxUSA®: Free tax filing online for Federal Tax Returns
Fostering Futures Scholarship: The Fostering Futures Scholarship is facilitated through MI-Student Aid and provides funding to students who have experienced foster care in Michigan on or after age 13. Students must also demonstrate financial need to qualify. Priority deadline June 30th.
MIStudentAid: MIStudentAid is the go-to resource for financial aid for all students in Michigan. Visit the website for information on financial aid, scholarships, grants, and more!
Samaritas ETV: Facilitates the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program that provides up to $5000 each year to eligible students to assist with college or vocational training expenses. Learn more and apply online!
Tuition Incentive Program: The Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) provides Medicaid eligible recipients tuition assistance during a student’s qualifying certificate or associate degree program and during the student’s bachelor’s degree program. Reach out to MI Student Aid to learn more!
Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care (YAVFC): The Michigan YAVFC program allows youth to remain in foster care and receive supportive and financial benefits until the age of 21.
Youth in Transition Funding(YIT): YIT is a funding source available to cover expenses related to the development of self-sufficiency for youth who experienced out of home care after the age of 14 and have not yet reached age 23. Eligible expenses must not be covered by any other government or community resources.
SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIPS &
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Adoption Option, INC: AOI’s YIT Mentoring services are designed to facilitate readiness for independence into adulthood for youth ages 14-21 who were in foster care placement after their 14th birthday. This program currently services Midland, Gladwin, Isabella, and Saginaw Counties.
Child Safe Michigan Mentoring Program: Child Safe Michigan is an affiliate of the Judson Center provides mentors for children in foster care. Mentors are friends, advocates and supporters who listen, care and help.
FosterClub: FosterClub is a national network for youth with experience in foster care. FosterClub's mission is to lead the efforts of young people in and from foster care to become connected, educated, inspired, and represented so they can realize their personal potential and contribute to a better life for their peers.
Fostering Success Michigan: FSM focuses on helping youth with experience in foster care get to and through college! Whether you are interested in attending a 4-year university, community college, or trade school, the Fostering Success Michigan website provides resources to help you get the information you need to prepare for college and decide what college best suits your needs. FSM is here to support you!
Youth United: Youth United aims to empower young people to make a difference in their community. Youth United offers a safe environment for youth to create supportive relationships with peers while also learning about the important issues that their communities face. This youth-led initiative involves many activities and community projects to become a part of.
GOVERNMENT, STATE, AND LEGAL RESOURCES
Foster Care Review Board Program
Contact: Jeanette Bridges
Phone: 734-330-6573
Email: bridgesj@courts.mi.gov
925 W. Ottawa, Lansing, MI 48933
Three important things for me to know:
1. Right to request review of the case by the FCRB related to safety, well-being, and permanence.
2. Ensuring compliance of legal representation.
3. Ensuring necessary services are provided in a successful transition into adulthood.
Michigan State Police
OK2SAY Program
Contact: Mary Drew
Email: DrewM2@michigan.gov
To report confidential tips:
Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)
Text: OK2SAY
Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov
Three important things for me to know:
1. A Culture of Silence: In most violent incidents that occur in our schools, someone other than the perpetrator of violence knows of a threat before it is carried out but fails to report it. Often, students choose to keep quiet because they fear retaliation, rejection, or stigmatization by their peers. The result is a culture of silence in which students suffer harm that could have been prevented if another had chosen to speak out.
2. A Commitment to Safety: The goal of OK2SAY is to stop harmful behavior before it occurs by encouraging anyone to report threatening behavior to caring adult authorities who can help. OK2SAY encourages Michigan residents to confidentially submit tips 24/7 using the OK2SAY mobile app, online, email, texting, or by calling trained program technicians. Upon receipt of a tip, specially trained OK2SAY technicians address the immediate need and forward the information to the appropriate responding law enforcement agency or organization. Tips go to schools, local law enforcement agencies, community mental health agencies or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
3. A TIP SAVES LIVES: It is about early intervention and prevention. When students make the courageous decision to break the code of silence and speak out against harmful behavior, they equip authorities with the information needed to respond to threats and avert tragedy. And that is a good thing for Michigan schools, communities, and families. So, let us stand up for student safety. Remember: It is OK2SAY.
Michigan 2-1-1
Three important things for me to know:
1. Includes information on resources related to food, housing, paying bills, family support and more!
2. Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
3. Choose to connect 3 ways: Online at the link above, dial 2-1-1 on your phone, or text your zip code to 898211
Michigan Department of State
Secretary of State Office
Driver’s License, Vehicle Registration, Register to Vote, Change Address
Contact: Information Center
Phone: 888-767-6424
Three important things for me to know:
1. Use the online Express SOS to change your address, renew your driver’s license, and renew your vehicle plate/tab at www.michigan.gov/expresssos.
2. Self-service kiosks are available at many locations, or you can make an in-person appointment by visiting www.michigan.gov/sos
3. To get a State ID, you need: your SSN, proof of residency, and a payment of $10.00. **Youth in Transition (YIT) funds are available to cover the cost!
Michigan Department of State
Traffic Safety Division
Contact: Robert Gwizdz
Email: gwizdzr@michigan.gov
Phone: 517-335-3162
PO Box 30810, Lansing, MI 48909
Three important things for me to know:
1. Visit Michigan.gov/Teen Driver for resources and information about Graduated Driver Licensing, driver’s licenses, and state IDs.
2. Graduated Driver Licensing is required for all Michigan drivers under the age of 18.
3. The Michigan Graduated Driver Licensing Parent Checklist is a free resource intended to assist parents and teens with understanding and following the steps of GDL.
Michigan Department of State
Vital Records Office
Records of Michigan Births, Deaths, and Marriages
Contact: Eligibility Unit
Phone: 517-335-8666
Email: VRCustomerService@michigan.gov
333 S. Grand Ave., 1st Floor, Lansing, MI 48933
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords
Click on Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce
Three important things for me to know:
1. You can order a Birth Record online through VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com).
2. Using the online VitalChek, the processing time is 1-2 days.
3. To order a Birth Record online, there is a $12.00 RUSH fee plus a $11.50 credit card handling fee, and a $46 first copy fee.
Michigan Legal Help
Self-help Tools
Three important things for me to know:
1. Michigan Legal Help is for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer. It can help you learn about your legal problems and get ready for court.
2. There are many Do-It-Yourself tools to help you create court forms. This website does not give legal advice, and it is not a substitute for having a lawyer.
3. If you need more help, search the website for a lawyer, community services, or a Self-Help Center nearby.
U.S. Social Security Administration
Social Security Number and Card
Contact: Social Security Local Branch
Phone: 800-772-1213
https://www.ssa.gov/agency/contact/
Three important things for me to know:
1. You can get a replacement Social Security card for free online at www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ if you are 18 or over.
2. It usually takes 10-14 business for your card to be mailed from the date of application.
3. If you cannot apply for a new card online, you will need to complete the application and either mail it or take it to a local office. https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf.
Fostering Success Michigan is a statewide initiative that aims to increase access and success in higher education for students with experience in foster care. Fostering Success Michigan is a program of Educate Tomorrow.
Fostering Success Michigan is a statewide initiative that aims to increase access and success in higher education for students with experience in foster care. Fostering Success Michigan is a program of Educate Tomorrow.
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