It’s that time of year again! Students and parents across the country are shopping for their back-to-school needs.
But when it comes to foster care and education, back-to-school checklists aren’t always that simple. Parents of K-12 children will spend a record average of more than $700.00 on backpacks, notebooks and more this season, according to the National Retail Federation. Yet not all foster families can afford these necessary resources for school year prep.
That’s where iFoster’s extensive portal of resources comes into play. For FREE, all of our members receive discounts on amazing resources and gain access to opportunities that are not only beneficial to them at the start of the school year, but year-round. Here are just a few:
Foster Care Education Resources
Tutoring
Students need tutoring now more than ever after a challenging academic time throughout the pandemic. iFoster has partnered with Learn To Be – a national nonprofit that provides one-on-one virtual tutoring in any subject for students K-12th grade. This tutoring is free and Learn To Be will prioritize any iFoster member who applies for tutoring services. Learn more here:
School Supplies
Office Depot is providing iFoster members with an Office Depot discount card. Benefits of this card include:
- Up to 80% off products like paper, ink, toner, etc.
- A catalog including 3,000+ products at 15% off
- Exclusive monthly specials on everyday products
In addition, iFoster has a partnership with Kits for Kidz who provide deeply discounted school supply kits for pre-K through high school students. Orders do need to be a minimum of $1,000 so this is best for organizations who are interested in buying these supplies in bulk. The more you order the more you save.
Vision Service Plan
For students who require reading glasses, Vision Service Plan (VSP) has partnered with us to bring free vision exams and eyeglasses to youth whose caregivers or agencies are uninsured (either with Medicaid or private vision insurance). Taking care of any potential visual impairments before the start of the school year is crucial to ensure students get off on the right foot with no immediate setbacks that could hinder reading or participating in class.
Discounted Laptops
For high schoolers, laptops are almost always necessary for research, homework, job or college applications, networking, etc. Of course, laptops can be an expensive investment that is not always easy to swing. Luckily, iFoster’s 1 Laptop Computer Program reduces that expense.
Through our partnership with Microsoft and Computer Dealers Inc., we give iFoster members the ability to purchase a refurbished laptop or desktop with Microsoft Windows 7 Professional and full Office Home and Student for as low as $200 (including shipping). Brand new units with long battery lives are available for $350. For just a fraction of the typical cost, you can receive a business quality computer with brand new software from Microsoft.
Post-Grad Prep
For high school upperclassmen, the start of the school year brings the start of planning for your future. This is the time to reflect on what you want to do after graduation. Do you need to start applying to colleges and universities? Should you be taking the SAT or ACT? Or do you want to enter straight into the workforce?
Regardless, it’s time to start thinking ahead. Career Cruising is one of our programs that offers free career and employment preparation allowing youth to explore and receive individualized guidance on 7,500 colleges and vocational schools, over 600 careers and thousands of available jobs.
Back-to-school means not only prepping for the year ahead, but in some cases, the next several years ahead.
Find All Your Back-To-School Resource Needs In iFoster’s Member Portal
We know that back-to-school can be a stressful (but exciting) time for students and caregivers alike. In order for foster youth to receive the same opportunities as their peers, they need access to the same kinds of resources.
iFoster is where foster care and education meet. We are dedicated to providing foster youth across the nation with the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential — in and out of the classroom.
Become a member here for FREE today to immediately access great resources.
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