•••• Full of pertinent information, user friendly, and/or aimed at teens
••• Quite a bit of relevant information
•• Good relevant information for some users
• Relevant for particular topics, not for everyone.

 ••• Paying for College - Education and Training Voucher Program
For youth who graduated from high school while in foster care, or who meet other eligibility requirements, financial assistance for college and post-secondary training programs is available through an SRS program called the Education and Training Voucher Program. The program can pay for tuition, fees, and other expenses at Kansas Vo-Tech schools, community colleges, Washburn University, and Board of Regents schools. In some cases, the program will pay for other expenses, as well.

Participants must enroll as a full-time student, maintain good academic standing, and work 10-hours a week. Your Independent Living Coordinator has more information about this opportunity.
LINK: http://www.srskansas.org/CFS/robohelp/PPMGenerate
/7000/7260_Education_and_Training_Voucher_Program.htm

••• ESSDACK Learning Centers
The ESSDACK Learning Center concept began as a performance-based high school diploma program for adults in 1996 in four central Kansas locations. In its ten years of existence, the program has evolved and expanded into community learning centers in 14 locations. The high school diploma program is consistent in all of the learning centers. The program is individualized for each student both in content and schedule. The students work at their own pace and set their own goals and timeline. The addition of totally virtual delivery in 2005 makes the program anywhere, anytime learning. The addition of a career development component in the fall of 2006 helps meet long term goals of students.

Each learning center has adapted to meet the needs of the community it serves. The Centers now provide classes such as computer classes, ESL classes, virtual art, and workplace classes to community members. The flexibility of the courses allows each student to juggle employment and family responsibilities while earning his or her diploma.
LINK: http://www.essdack.org/?q=learningcenters

To view information on a specific learning center, please click on the links below.

Learning Center Locations

 •••• YouthBuild KCK
YouthBuild KCK teaches 16-24 year-olds who have not finished high school to rebuild themselves by completing their education and building homes for low-income families. United Way is the lead agency for a partnership of 30 organizations who provide education, counseling, leadership, and home construction training to young adults wanting to turn their lives around and complete their high school education. YouthBuild KCK is a comprehensive 10-month training and educational program for undereducated and unemployed young peoples. All trainees split their time between the classroom, construction sites, and doing community service.
Victor Hernandez - Program Director 913-371-3770
LINK: http://www.unitedway-wyco.org/reports/YouthBuild-Brochure.pdf

•••• Technical and Vocational Schools in Kansas
Training for an in-demand career is an investment in your economic future. Attending a vocational, technical, or trade school can help reach this goal! There are many opportunities in various fields of high-skilled employment, such as healthcare, automotive, information technology, electronics, or legal service. The site listed below lists all vocational, technical, or trade schools in Kansas:
LINK: http://www.rwm.org/rwm/tf_kan.html

••• Getting your GED
The GED Tests measure the major academic skills and concepts associated with four years of regular high school instruction. They provide an opportunity for people who have not graduated from high school to earn a high school equivalency diploma. GED measures competency in five subject areas: Language Arts-Writing, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts-Reading, and Mathematics.

Kansas GED Information has the GED testing calendar, location of GED centers, GED preparation programs, GED records and forms, and answers to frequently asked questions such as eligibility criteria, documents required to take the GED test, fees, and retesting.
LINK: http://www.kansasregents.org/adult_ed/ged.html

More GED info links:

•••• Foster Club:
Foster club has excellent information to answer questions you may have about school, such as switching schools, getting tutoring, flunking school, and much more.

School, jobs, and other activities

LINK: http://www.fosterclub.com/questionsanswers/school-jobs-and-other-activities

Why do I need more education?

LINK: http://www.fosterclub.com/questionsanswers/school-jobs-and-other-activities

Where will I live when I leave foster care?

LINK: http://www.fosterclub.com/questionsanswers/school-jobs-and-other-activities

 Additional educational resources:

••• Kansas Board of Regents:
Much information on getting a college education in Kansas.
LINK: http://www.kansasregents.org/

••• Students.gov
Federal government information for college-bound students.
LINK: http://www.students.gov

••• Mapping Your Future
A free and neutral resource on career, college, financial aid, and money management.
LINK: http://mappingyourfuture.org