Our hearts are broken for Los Angeles County residents. We realize that the entire community is suffering as lives have been disrupted in so many ways. There are many resources available for navigation and assistance. Please know that we are here to provide additional navigation and support, or if you are struggling to find answers to questions or help. Here are trusted and recommended resources:

• List of Local Resources: a comprehensive list of available shelters, mental health resources, free items & distribution centers across L.A.
• 211LA: L.A. wildfire information and resources
• Airbnb.org: free housing for victims displaced by the L.A. wildfires
• Helping Children Impacted by Wildfires: guidelines for parents
• Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: tips for caregivers
• Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: protecting people from wildfire smoke and ash
• Helping Communities and Families Recover: safety, recovery and hope after a disaster

SEE MORE RESOURCES BELOW

Our next Textured Hair Care class is Wednesday, January 15, 5PM - 7PM

Join us for the monthly Foster Care Rates Clinic - Foster, kinship, guardian, and adoptive families are invited to a virtual meeting to ask questions about Foster Care Rates, the Level of Care Assessment, Intensive Services Foster Care, Due Process, and more. Child welfare policy expert, Jackie Rutheiser, will answer questions about the Level of Care Protocol Assessment,  how foster care rates are determined, and give technical assistance on issues that caregivers have. First Wednesdays from 1PM - 2PM REGISTER HERE.

Have you seen recorded training in our Caregiver Support Webinar series? Watch this training on the Level of Care Rate Determination Protocol that determines your foster care rate. You can browse training on policy highlights and important resources and benefits HERE.

 Enter these important numbers in your phone so you have them when you need help.

• Family Urgent Response System (FURS): 1-833-939-FURS (1-833-939-3877)
• CA Kinship Navigator: 1-619-505-3905 (Connection to benefits and resources)
• BrightLife Kids: 888-275-5357 (Parent coaching/support)
• Soluna: 844-582-2111 (Mental support for teens 13-17)
• CalHOPE: 833-317-4673

NEW RESOURCE AVAILABLE! We are excited to share a new resource available for foster, kinship, guardian, and adoptive parents: The Resource Parent Guide. California Alliance of Caregivers has worked with the California Department of Social Services since 2018 to create and publish a statewide Resource Family Handbook. This will be published soon, until then, the Resource Parent Guide highlights important information for caregivers.

INFORMATION:

• Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) | Website: https://www.lafd.org | Social Media: Twitter (@LAFD) | Facebook (/LosAngelesFireDepartment) | What They Provide: Real-time updates on fires, evacuations, and safety guidelines.
• Watch Duty App | Website: https://www.watchduty.org | Mobile App: Available on iOS and Android | What They Provide: Real-time wildfire alerts and updates tailored to your location.
• Ready LA County | Website: https://ready.lacounty.gov | Social Media: Twitter (@ReadyLACounty) | Instagram (@ReadyLACounty) | What They Provide: Emergency preparedness resources, evacuation tips, and live updates during disasters.
• National Weather Service (NWS) | Website: https://www.weather.gov | Local Forecast Page: https://www.weather.gov/lox (Los Angeles/Oxnard Office) | Social Media: Twitter (@NWS) | Twitter (@NWSLosAngeles) | What They Provide: Weather alerts, fire weather forecasts, and air quality updates. | Bookmark these sources for reliable, up-to-date information during emergencies!

SHELTER:

• Airbnb.org | What They Offer: Free, temporary housing for individuals displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires in collaboration with 211 LA. Stays are funded by Airbnb.org and participating hosts. | Form: HERE
• Westwood Recreation Center | Phone: (310) 473-3610 | Address: 1350 Sepulveda Blvd, Westwood, CA 90025 | Website: http://www.laparks.org/dos/reccenter/facility/westwoodRC.htm | What They Offer: Shelter, food, water, and pet-friendly accommodations (pets must be in carriers/crates).
• El Camino Real Charter High School | Phone: (818) 595-7500 | Address: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91367 | Website: http://ecrchs.net | What They Offer: Shelter, essential services, accepting donations for evacuees.
• Pasadena Convention Center | Phone: (626) 793-2122 | Address: 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101 | Website: https://www.visitpasadena.com/convention-center | What They Offer: Evacuation center, limited resources like cots.
• Arcadia Community Center | Phone: (626) 574-5130 | Address: 365 Campus Dr, Arcadia, CA 91007 | Website: http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us | What They Offer: Shelter for evacuees.
• Jazzercise Calabasas Community Center | Phone: (818) 880-2993 | Address: 27040 Malibu Hills Rd, Calabasas, CA 91301 | Website: http://local.jazzercise.com/jazzercise-calabasas-community-ctr/Agoura-Hills-CA | What They Offer: Shelter services; some animal support available at nearby Agoura Animal Care Center.
• Calico Fish House | Phone: (562) 357-4012 | Address: 16600 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 | Website: https://calico-restaurant.com/ | What They Offer: Shelter services. Travelers heading south from LA can camp out in the restaurant's large parking lot. Free meals for evacuees are provided.
• Ritchie Valens Recreation Center | Phone: (818) 834-5172 | Address: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331 | Website: http://www.laparks.org/reccenter/ritchie-valens | What They Offer: Shelter, food, water, and pet-friendly accommodations (pets must be in carriers/crates).
• Northridge Park | Phone: (818) 349-7341 | Address: 10120 Reseda Blvd, Northridge, CA 91324 | Website: http://www.laparks.org/reccenter/northridge | What They Offer: Shelter, basic amenities, and outdoor space for evacuees.
• Sepulveda Recreation Center | Phone: (818) 893-3700 | Address: 8825 Kester Ave, Panorama, CA 91402 | Website: http://www.laparks.org/reccenter/sepulveda | What They Offer: Shelter, food, water, and medical assistance for evacuees.
• Dream Center | Phone: (213) 273-7000 | Address: 2301 Bellevue Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90026 | Website: https://www.dreamcenter.org | What They Offer: Shelter, hot meals, clothing, and additional support services for displaced individuals and families.
• Pan Pacific Recreational Center | Phone: (323) 939-8874 | Address: 7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 | Website: http://www.laparks.org/reccenter/pan-pacific | What They Offer: Shelter, food, water, and outdoor space for evacuees

Who is eligible to apply?

• Current foster youth who are at least 13 years old but not yet 18 years old.
• Non-minors in extended foster care who are at least 18 years old but not yet 21 years old.

I’m eligible, how do I apply?

• Please note: If you are a minor foster youth, ask your caregiver or caseworker to help you apply. Your caregiver or caseworker must co-sign your enrollment application with you.
• If you are a non-minor in extended foster care, you can apply on your own, or your caseworker may apply on your behalf.
• You must provide proof of eligibility documentation in the form of a Ward of the Court Letter or County Dependency letter. If you have questions or need assistance obtaining that documentation, please contact your county caseworker.
• All applications are subject to county approval.
• Foster Youth participating within Los Angeles County must apply through their local FosterYouth county caseworker.

• California Higher Education Student Housing & Resource Guide
• Post-Secondary Education Planning Resources

"Flexible Family Support" is available to youth and families for respite, extra-curricular activities, visitation with family, and more! You can ask your social worker how your county has chosen to support youth and families with this funding, and how you can access the support for your child in foster care. For more information, see All County Letter 23-02.

California Alliance of Caregivers provides information, training, support, resources and advocacy to foster, kinship, guardian, and adoptive families and we could not do the important work that we do without our donors. The State of CA does not provide funding for our work. Our advocacy over the past several years led to the passing of the permanent Foster Care Rate Structure that will be life changing for children and families. 

• California Kinship Navigator (For Foster Youth, Kinship, Guardian, & Resource Parents)
• Kinship Navigator - United Way, Benefits Screener & Resources
• Relative Support Services Los Angeles County
• Kinship Support Services in Butte, Contra Costa, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, Santa Cruz & Sonoma 
• National Kinship Legal Resource
• Generations United
• San Diego Kinship Support Services

California Alliance of Caregivers
P.O. Box 576
Sacramento, CA 95776
United States

Sacramento Office: 500 Capitol Mall, Suite 2350, Sacramento, CA 95814

Los Angeles Office: 400 Continental Blvd, 6th Floor, El Segundo, CA 90245

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