Foster youth change schools an average of seven times during their time in care. To provide the stability these students need, Opportunities for Learning (OFL) offers a variety of services and supports to help you keep your education on track.
One of the obstacles foster youth face is the enrollment process. When your placement changes, you may struggle to transfer schools quickly, missing valuable instructional time. OFL eliminates this barrier by offering year-round enrollment, allowing you to start school any weekday without gathering extensive documentation or waiting for a new semester to begin.
Under California law, foster youth have the right to immediate enrollment even without typical paperwork like transcripts, immunization records, or proof of residency. OFL honors this right and takes it further by streamlining the entire enrollment process. Our staff works proactively to gather your previous school records immediately so you can begin your time at OFL without delay.
Under California's Local Control Funding Formula, schools receive additional funding for foster youth, recognizing that these students may require extra support to succeed. OFL directs these resources toward services that make a tangible difference: counselors who understand the system, flexible programs that accommodate complex lives, and connections to the broader support network foster youth need.
Educational stability is crucial for foster youth, and OFL addresses this challenge through personalized counseling support that recognizes your unique circumstances and history.
OFL counselors serve as consistent advocates, helping you maintain continuity in your education regardless of what's happening in your personal lives. These professionals understand foster care dynamics and work with social workers, caseworkers, and foster families to ensure educational needs remain a priority. They help you earn partial credits for completed coursework when transferring schools, and assist with the special graduation requirement modifications that are available to foster youth under California law, including the possibility of graduating with fewer credits if placement changes occurred after your sophomore year.
The counselor relationship at OFL goes beyond academics. These dedicated professionals provide social-emotional support and connect you with on-campus resources, including school psychologists. They help create individualized learning plans that accommodate both your educational goals and your life circumstances.
Whether you’re moving between foster placements, from foster care to independence, or from one school to another, OFL's staff members are trained to help you navigate these changes with minimal disruption to your education.
We maintain open communication channels among students, foster parents, biological families when appropriate, social workers, and case managers. This collaborative approach ensures everyone stays informed about your educational progress and needs. When you change placement, OFL counselors work to maintain your “school of origin” enrollment, understanding that familiar educational environments can provide stability during turbulent times.
For older foster youth transitioning to independence, OFL provides crucial college and career preparation support. Post-secondary counselors meet with students every semester to review graduation progress and plan for life after high school, whether that means college, vocational training, military service, or entering the workforce. They help students access resources like the Chafee Educational Training Voucher (ETV), which provides up to $5,000 annually for post-secondary education, and CalGrant funding available to foster youth until age 26.
Foster youth often need support beyond the classroom, and through partnerships with local agencies and workforce development programs, OFL students gain access to services ranging from housing assistance to mental health support. Our participation in Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) partnerships provides foster youth with career exposure, networking opportunities, skills training, and internship possibilities that prepare you for economic independence.
OFL staff also help you navigate the complex web of financial aid available to foster youth, including tuition waivers, priority registration at California community colleges, and scholarship opportunities specifically designated for current and former foster youth. These connections to resources extend our support well beyond graduation day.
Our flexible, non-classroom-based model allows students to work at their own pace, accommodating the unpredictability of foster care life. If you miss time due to court appearances, therapy appointments, or placement changes, we help you continue your education without falling behind.
This flexibility extends to scheduling, course pacing, and graduation timelines. The personalized learning plans at OFL are designed to meet you where you are, not where the calendar says you should be. OFL’s one-on-one teacher support creates strong relationships that provide the consistent, caring adults that research shows are crucial for foster youth success.
OFL offers more than a path to a diploma. We provide a community dedicated to helping you discover your potential and pursue your dreams.
Learn more about how OFL supports foster youth.