Welcome!
Hello, young people! Below are some great contacts to help answer questions and resolve issues:
FosterClub has a dedicated team of folks to help you find what you need in Michigan. Call them at 503-717-1552 or email them here. They can help you find resources to help you transition to adulthood and connect you to leadership opportunities.
For problems or complaints, contact Michigan's Ombudsman, at 1-517-373-3077.
Healthcare for Former Foster Youth (FFY).
Did you know that former foster youth have access to free Medicaid after they turn 18 until their 26th birthday? Qualification for FFY to access Medicaid is not dependant on employment or education status. Check out #Healthcare FFY for more information about this program!If you aged out of foster care in Michigan, you should have been automatically enrolled in Medicaid til 26 and should not need to apply. Ask your caseworker to make sure that this process was completed!
If you for some reason were not automatically enrolled in coverage, you can apply for Medicaid til 26 benefits by visiting the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Make sure to check “yes” when asked if you are a former foster youth in order to qualify for Medicaid til 26 benefits!
If you need assistance filling out the application, you can call 1-800-975-7630. Make sure to tell them that you are a former foster youth applying for Medicaid benefits until age 26 under the Former Foster Youth provision of the Affordable Care Act!
Because Michigan has auto-enrollment, you should not need to apply for Medicaid til 26 benefits!
You should have been enrolled as part of your case closure process. Because most FFY are automatically enrolled, Michigan does not have a foster-specific application. If for some reason you were not automatically enrolled, you will need to fill out a general Medicaid application. See the “How can I apply?” section for more details!
Michigan has auto-coverage renewal!
This means that, once you have Medicaid under the former foster youth category, your coverage will be continuous until the month of your 26 birthday. There is no need for you to re-apply!Michigan does have auto-enrollment.
This means that, if you age out of care in Michigan, you do not need to complete a new application before you are able to receive health care coverage. Be sure to ask your caseworker to ensure that you were enrolled in Medicaid til 26 benefits!Michigan does not provide coverage to relocators.
This means that, if you were in care in another state and then moved to Michigan, you would not be eligible for Medicaid til 26. You may still be able to get health insurance through…- Your employer
- Your school
- Medicaid if you are eligible based on another category. This includes if you are pregnant or a parent or if you qualify based on your income. Check your state’s website for more information.
- Free or low-cost insurance from your state's Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Healthcare for Former Foster Youth (FFY).
Did you know that former foster youth have access to free Medicaid after they turn 18 until their 26th birthday? Qualification for FFY to access Medicaid is not dependant on employment or education status. Check out the #Healthcare FFY for more information about this program!For more information, check out the Additional Resources for Teens, Young Adults, Foster Parents and Supporting Adults on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
Oregon does not have a foster-specific application.
To apply, you will need to fill out the general Medicaid application for Oregon
Oregon does not have auto-coverage renewal.
In order to maintain your coverage, you will need to update your information annually.Each year, you should receive a paper form in the mail. Make sure to fill this form out and send it back. If you do not, you risk losing your coverage. You can also renew your coverage online. Be sure to report any changes of address to the Oregon Medicaid office to make sure that you receive these annual renewal forms!
Oregon does not have auto-enrollment.
This means that, if you are eligible for Medicaid til 26 in Oregon, you will need to complete a new application before you are able to receive health care coverage. However, if you are still in care, your caseworker is supposed to help you fill out the application as part of your transition plan. Be sure to ask your caseworker about Medicaid til 26 and what you need to do to get coverage!Oregon does not provide coverage to relocators.
This means that, if you were in care in another state and then moved to Oregon, you would not be eligible for Medicaid til 26. You may still be able to get health insurance through…- Your employer
- Your school
- Medicaid if you are eligible based on another category. This includes if you are pregnant or a parent or if you qualify based on your income. Check your state’s website for more information.
- Free or low-cost insurance from your state's Affordable Care Act marketplace.
BLOGS
Rising to the Challenge and Making Change
By Sade — Nov 6, 2008
So I just got back from the "It's My Life" conference in Hollywood, California earlier this week and it was amazing! To start, the weather was beautiful! When I left Detroit, it was 28 degrees and in Hollywood, it was in the mid to upper 70's and... Read more
RESOURCES
Michigan: Foster Youth Bill of Rights
Visit WebsiteFoster Youth Bill of Rights is designed to inform foster children of their rights and protections within the child welfare system. Do you have concerns about your rights? Contact your state foster care ombudsman at [email protected].Read more
Michigan Office of the Children’s Ombudsman
Visit WebsiteOmbudsman is a Swedish word that means "representative" or "agent." Ombudsman or Child Advocates were established within states and/or Child Welfare to investigate complaints, concerns, or violations of children right's while in foster care. The Child Advocate is an independent public official with the authority... Read more
Michigan Independent Living Program
Visit WebsiteIndependent Living (IL) Programs help current and former foster youth reach their independent living goals, providing services for education, employment, housing, budgeting and building a support network to assist youth as they transition to adulthood. PDF Guide: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdhhs/MDHHS-Pub-1192_576479_7.pdf . and a Foster Care Guide: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dhs/DHS-Pub-0089_353116_7.pdfRead more
Michigan Medicaid
Visit WebsiteMedicaid is basic health insurance that is available to foster youth or former foster youth who are eligible. The information provided should help you apply. Your foster care worker has the responsibility of making a referral to FCTMA for you while you are still in... Read more
Michigan: Youth in Transition Funding
Visit WebsiteYouth in Transition, (Michigan's name for Chafee ) is a funding source available to cover expenses NOT covered by other government or community resources, or to augment or supplement services from other funding sources.Read more