Volume IV July 2013 Issue IT IS TIME TO BE HEARD! RTI SUMMER STIPEND REQUIREMENTS A young adult is considered going to school fulltime and does not need to submit a job search if they are taking 6 credits per 6 week summer session or 12 credits for a 12 week summer session. A young adult not attending school full time is expected to obtain employment for the summer months, and if not employed, has the obligation to diligently seek employment. A young adult seeking employment must provide the case worker with documentation of his or her job search consistent with the documentation required by the office of unemployment compensation on a monthly basis. If a young adult is registered with South Florida Workforce, all job search documentation must be the South Florida Workforce computer print out. The young adult is required to apply for a minimum of 5 jobs per week. If a young adult does not do job search through South Florida Workforce, then they must provide proof of a minimum of 5 job applications per week and provide copies of the applications and a job search list to the case manager, along with the Agency for Workforce innovation job search form with name and contact info of the person they spoke with. If the unemployed young adult fails to provide such documentation in a given summer month, no award payment shall be issued for the following summer month. The young adult is required to inform the case worker of successful summer job placement within 7 days.
2013 Educational Achievement Incentive Our Kids is proud to award all current Road to Independence clients who meet the award qualifications and achieved one of the following educational goals between January 1, 2013 thru December 31, 2013 an Educational Bonus! High School Diploma/GED $2,000 (Must Provide College Acceptance Letter) Associate s Degree $ 4,000 Bachelor s Degree $ 6,000 Vocational Certificates Hours Completed Award 1,000 or more $3,000 Between 700 and 999 $2,500 Between 300 and 699 $2,000 Between 150 and 299 $1,500 Please contact your Independent Living Program case manager for an application and more information! To be considered for Incentive an application and an original transcript must be submitted to Our Kids within 6 months of receiving the degree/certificate. Degree or Certificate must be from an accredited Florida tuition waiver school. Participants who receive the High School/GED incentive may earn a second incentive if they obtain a postsecondary degree or 700 or more certificate hours while enrolled in the RTI program. If two goals are earned in the same year, the highest award will be paid. If two vocational certificates are achieved in the same year, hours will be added together. High School Diploma/GED incentive is awarded based on submitting proof of college acceptance letters. All bonuses are subject to the discretion of Our Kids.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES Fastweb : Scholarships, Financial Aid, Student Loans and Colleges Search for scholarships with our free scholarship matching service, get student financial aid and find money to pay for college at FastWeb. www.fastweb.com/ Sallie Mae's Scholarship Search Sallie Mae's Scholarship Search. Sallie Mae's free Scholarship Search offers access to an award database that contains more than 3 million scholarships worth... www.go.salliemae.com/scholarship/ College Board Get connected to your college. Find official college planning and preparation tools to help you succeed. Visit the College Board website - your inside source to free online college scholarship search. www.collegeboard.org/ Scholarships.com: Free College Scholarship Search College... Conduct a college scholarship & financial aid search at Scholarships.com. Free scholarship search and college search for students of all ages. Find Free Money... www.scholarships.com/ ScholarshipExperts.com: Scholarships, Free Scholarships, College... Find scholarships and free college money. ScholarshipExperts.com has a fast and easy free scholarship search service to help students and parents find free... www.scholarshipexperts.com/ Scholarship Hunter: FREE and EASY Scholarship Search FREE Tools to Find SCHOLARSHIPS Online. No Login or Password Required. Free Scholarship Search. Free College Scholarship Sweepstakes, Contests, and more. www.scholarshiphunter.com/ Find College Scholarships Free Scholarship Guide and Scholarship Search Site. www.scholarships.net/ College Answer: The Planning for College Destination Scholarship Search Preparing for College Selecting a School Applying for... Search our scholarship database or browse a list of scholarships available www.collegeanswer.com/ Choices CHOICES is an interactive decision-making website that empowers teens to achieve academic success in pursuit of their career and life aspirations. www.flchoices.org/
ONLINE TUTORING Math Video - Free Subject Help - Brightstorm Free Homework Help with Over 250,000 free math, science and English videos video s for high school and college subjects. Free math help videos for Algebra through Calculus. Math, Science and English www.brightstorm.com/math/ If you have any issues with getting that grade you want in class tutoring maybe the answer. There is online tutoring given in various courses to include Math, English and History just to name a few. See below online tutoring that can help you on your way to getting an A in class. WebMath - Solve Your Math Problem WebMath is designed to help you solve your math problems. Composed of forms to fill-in and... Free K-5 Resources View All... Quick jump to math help. www.webmath.com/ Math.com - World of Math Online Free math lessons and math homework help from basic math to algebra, geometry and beyond. Students, teachers, parents, and everyone can find solutions to math problems. www.math.com/ Khan Academy Khan Academy is on a mission to provide a free world-class education to anyone anywhere. Physics, finance, and history and 200 practice exercises, helping students learn whatever they want, www.khanacademy.org/ Mathway: Math Problem Solver Free math problem solver answers your pre-algebra, algebra, trigonometry, calculus and statistics homework questions with step-bystep explanations. www.mathway.com/ Free Math Help and Free Math Videos Online at MathVids.com Get free math help by watching free math videos online from algebra and geometry to calculus and college math. Understand your math homework. www.mathvids.com/ Math Expression: Free Math Tutor Online Learn math with free math tutor online. You'll get math videos, practical study tips and practice questions with step-by-step solutions. www.mathexpression.com/ Math Planet - Math help online, math tutoring: algebra, geometry... Free math tools and videos that helps you out with your math problems. www.mathplanet.com/
Health Corner The only truly safe forms of sex are abstinence and mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner Dr. Ruth Westheimer Summer Love needs to = Safe Sex Sexual expression is a form of communication through which we give and receive pleasure and emotion. It has a wide range of possibilities - from sharing fun activities, feelings and thoughts, warm touch or hugs, to physical intimacy. It is expressed both individually and in relationships throughout life. (McKinley Health Center). It is helpful to allow a relationship to grow and develop emotionally. You need to be comfortable with yourself and your values. You also have to be aware of all the risks and know how to protect yourself. By doing so, you decrease your risks of physical and emotional harm. Regardless of gender or sexual orientation, five key components should be present in the relationship prior to engaging in any sexual activity. 5 Key Components: Communication is the key: 1. Consent: Means you can freely and comfortably choose whether or not to engage in a sexual activity. It also means to respect the wishes of the other person if they do not want to engage in a certain activity. 2. Respect: The condition of being esteemed or honored. You and your partner need to have respect for each other. 3. Equality: Meaning that your personal power is on an equal level with your partner. 4. Trust: Both partners need to be able to trust one another in a vulnerable time. 5. Safety: Means you feel secure and safe within the sexual setting. You are comfortable with and assertive about where, when and how the sexual activity takes place. You feel safe from the possibility of harm, such as unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, and physical injury. Talk to your partner and let them know what you like and don t like physically and emotionally. If you feel uncomfortable communicating, this should be a red flag. If you are uncomfortable talking about these issues involving yourself intimately can have negative consequences. Have expectations and boundaries. You are the master of your body and you have control of your life. Know you and your partner s HIV/STI status: Get tested together. Being able to share this intimate moment together will help build trust and respect in a relationship. Be prepared: If the possibility of intercourse arises, bring the necessary supplies. Bring the condoms, lubricant and/or dental dams. Even if you engage only in oral sex, you need to be protected. Condoms and dental dams come in various flavors. There are also flavored lubricants that may be applied to make the experience more pleasurable. Need to Get Tested? P2P: 305-243-2174 Department of Health Health District Center 305-575-3800 West Perrine 305-256-3800 Planned Parenthood 305-423-7933 Need some free Condoms? (305) 470-6999 Or Contact your IL Case Manager You feel safe from the possibility of harm, such as unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infection, and physical injury. -Healthy Sexuality, McKinley References: (1) 06-22-09 -- healthy sexuality: www.mckinley.illinois.edu (2) www.cdc.org (3) www.dadehealth.org (4) www.hhs.gov
What supplies do I need? Prescription medicines and special medical needs. Several clean containers for water, large enough for a 3-5 day supply of water (about five gallons for each person) and water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach. A 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food. A first aid kit and manual and a battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries. Sleeping bags or extra blankets. Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies. Disposable cleaning cloths, such as "baby wipes" for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available. Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc. An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc. For more information you can go to www.ready.gov What should I do if a hurricane watch is issued? Fill your automobile's gas tank. Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible. If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation. Fill your clean water containers. Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing. Tune in the radio or television for weather updates and listen for disaster sirens and warning signals. Prepare an emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc. Secure any items outside which may damage property in a storm, such as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc. Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass. Put family pets in a safe area. Emergency shelters cannot accept animals. Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing. Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature. What do I if I am ordered to leave? Take only essential items with you and make sure your car's emergency kit is ready. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water. Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored. Follow the designated evacuation routes others may be blocked and expect heavy traffic. What if I am not ordered to leave? Hurricane Preparedness Monitor the radio or television for weather conditions, if possible. Stay indoors until the authorities declare the storm is over. Do not go outside, even if the weather appears to have calmed the calm "eye" of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you outside when strong winds resume. Stay away from all windows and exterior doors, seeking shelter in a bathroom or basement. Bathtubs can provide some shelter if you cover yourself with plywood or other materials. Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor's home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel. Lastly it is important that you come with a plan for you and your loved ones to make sure that you are prepared for a Hurricane. For more information you can go to http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/plan.asp
HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE TO ASSIST LOW INCOME RESIDENTS The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is assisting lowincome households with utility payments. Low-income individuals can receive assistance with their utility costs through the Community Action and Human Services Department Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning on Monday, April 1, 2013. To qualify, applicants must not exceed 150% of the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. Qualified applicants facing a crisis situation may be eligible to receive up to a $600 payment toward their outstanding electric or gas bills. Regular energy applications may receive between $150-$300 dollar payment applied to their utility bill. LIHEAP applications are available at Community Service Centers, Monday through Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Applications and a listing of Community Service Centers are available online at http://www.miamidade.gov/socialservices/housing-assistance-energy.asp. For additional information call (786) 469-4600. Who: What: Where: Miami-Dade Community Action and Human Services Department LIHEAP Program Providing financial assistance with utility bills (electric and gas) Community Service Centers throughout Miami-Dade County
Important Information Youth Shine... The Miami Chapter of Florida Youth SHINE (Striving High for Independence & Empowerment) is your advocacy organization! This organization is led by current and former foster youth ages 13 to 23. They strive to empower youth and advocate for changes to improve the child welfare system. We invite you to get involved. For more information, please call (305) 671-1345 Medical Services Aging out of Foster Care>? Did you know that if you were in licensed foster care six months or more, you have free medical services through the end of the month you turn 21. To update your address, please call Our Kids at 305-455- 2595. If you need to choose or switch a provider, please call Medicaid Options at 1-888-367-6554. Job Resources These helpful websites will assist you in finding a job: www.careerbuilder.com www.monster.com www.floridaunemployment.com www.indeed.com www.employflorida.com Check it Out!! Legal Services Have a Legal Problem? Get the help you need! The Foster Youth Legal Services collaborative between the Legal Aid Society, Legal Services of Greater Miami and the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center can assist if you need help with any of the following: Housing, Employment, Benefits, Special Education, RTI, Family Law, Domestic Violence, Guardianship, Immigration, Work Permits, Call (305) 579-1010 Hours of Operation: Monday Friday UM Youth Law Clinic can also be contacted for legal assistance as well. They can be reached at 305-284-3123 New Ideas Do you have something you d like to contribute to this newsletter? We d love to hear from you! Please send your ideas, articles, announcements, e-mail to Independentlivng@ourkids.us, or give us a call at 305-455-6227. Questions Do you have questions about your monthly stipend, education, housing, resources or other areas? Our kids has a help-line and e-mail address available just for you. The phone number is 1-866-572-9493, and the e-mail address is Independentliving@ourkids.us