Purple Umbrella Network

Purple Umbrella

The purpose of the Purple Umbrella Network is to improve awareness of and collaboration with groups and organizations in the �� State community to better meet the needs of �� students impacted by foster care.

The goal is to coordinate the availability of and access to services to improve outcomes and increase retention for youth who have been impacted by foster care and are now “living on their own, but not alone.”

Bridges

Provides guidance and support in the transition into adulthood in the areas of housing, education, employment, and well-being.

Must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Completed high school or GED
Must be age 21 or under
Must have left the Ohio foster care system at 18, 19, or 20 years old
Enrolled in college or vocational school
Participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers, to employment
Employed at least 80 hours a month
Be prepared to provide proof of the above criteria, such as pay stubs or a class schedule

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 614-490-4357

Email: ne.region@cfhcohio.org

Please click on "Apply Here" to access the resource.

FASFA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Can provide financial aid for college from the government (Pell Grants, Subsidized loans, work study, etc.) based on income and assets on a first-come, first-served basis.

Must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or
certificate program at college
Must have a Social Security Number

What to expect:

You will be asked to create an FSA ID account
You can manually input tax information or allow the FAFSA to receive it directly from the IRS
The federal student code for �� State’s main campus is 003051
The Student Aid Index (SA) will show eligibility
Financial aid will be dispersed to your college

Contact Information:

Justin Cornelius (�� State Financial Aid Coordinator)

Phone Number: 330-672-0506

Email: jcorne17@kent.edu

Please click on "Apply Here" to access the resource.

Supplemental Nutrition Porgram(SNAP)

Supplemental Nutrition Porgram (SNAP)

Offers food assistance

Must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Must be enrolled half or full time at college or university
Must have under $2,250 in current checking and savings accounts combined
Have a physical or mental disability
Work at least 20 hours a week
Participate in a work study program
Care for a child under the age of 6
Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and taking care of a child under 12
Are assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in a college or other institution of higher education through:
A SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program

Contact Information:

Phone: 330-297-3750

Location: Portage County Job and Family Services 449 South Meridian Street

Ravenna, OH 44266

Other resources:

Check your eligibility:

FAQs: /CARESCenter/snap

Medicaid

Provides health coverage for youth who aged out of foster care on or after their 18th birthday until age 26, regardless of income.

Must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Age 18-26
Been in foster care on or after your 18th birthday

Contact Information:

Phone: 330-297-3750

Location: Portage County Job and Family Services 449 South Meridian Street

Ravenna, OH 44266

Educational and Training Voucher (ETV)

Offers up to $5,000 a year for school-related expenses (tuition, room and board, books, etc.) for young people who have aged out of foster care or who were adopted after age 16.

Must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Must have aged out of foster care or been adopted after age 16
Must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA each semester
Be prepared to submit an academic transcript showing grades and GPA each semester
Must be enrolled full-time in a degree, certificate, or other accredited program at a college, university, or vocational school

Contact Information:

Phone Number: 219-426-2166

Jacod Wilson at ohetv@fosteredservices.org

211 United Way

Provides 24/7 referrals for categories such as food pantries, temporary housing, medical clinics, clothing, and many more.

Must meet at least one of the following criteria:

Must be in need of assistance with basic needs and/or other services.

Contact Information:

Referrals to services can be offered by phone call or on the website

Phone Number: Dial 2-1-1 or call 330-376-6660

Young Adult Services

Can provide services to promote self-sufficiency for young adults aged out of foster care.

Eligibility:

Age 18, 19, or 20 adult who aged out of foster care

Contact Information:

Contact your local Independent Living Coordinator

Portage County: Scott Lazzara , Phone Number: 330-297-3748

Email: Scott.Lazzara@jfs.ohio.gov

Summit County: Sara Woolridge, Phone Number: 330-379-1877

Email: Sara.Woolridge@summitkids.org

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