San Andreas, CA…On May 22nd, representatives from the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), National Homebuyers Fund, Inc. (NHF), and iFoster provided an update to the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors on the distribution of 26 gifted laptops to local foster youth and former foster youth aged 16-21 in Calaveras County. These laptops are part of a statewide distribution of more than 1,100 laptop computers to all eligible foster youth and former foster youth aged 16-21 within RCRC’s 35-member counties.

Late last year, RCRC and NHF’s Boards of Directors each approved providing $200,000 to support the 1 Laptop Program for Foster Youth. Through this one-time $400,000 contribution, eligible foster youth and former foster youth in care within RCRC’s 35 counties will be provided a laptop, complete with the iFoster Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Assistant, which includes a HIPAA compliant secure online digital locker, accessible anywhere, anytime. The laptop is fully integrated into iFoster’s resource portal and programs, providing access to more than 500 needed resources, and improved youth support networks.

“RCRC and its affiliates have demonstrated a true commitment to improving the quality of life in California’s rural counties,” said Calaveras County Supervisor Jack Garamendi. “Whether it be through rebuilding efforts following devastating wildfires, educating our kids on human trafficking, or the purchase of laptops for our foster youth population, I am proud to be part of an organization that invests its resources in our local communities.”

Owning a computer addresses additional challenges for foster youth, including accessing needed resources and the loss or misplacement of important life documents as youth move from placement to placement. A 2016 study of 730 youth across California who received iFoster computers found that only five percent of rural foster youth have consistent access to a computer in their homes, compared to 90 percent of all teens, and 79 percent of low-income teens (Pew Research Center, 2014). When provided with a computer, 98 percent of youth reported using it on a daily or weekly basis, and statistically significant improvements were found in academic performance, social connectiveness, and life satisfaction.

Social Workers with the Health and Human Services Agency will be distributing the laptops during their individual meetings with Calaveras County foster youth and former foster youth this month.

ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a thirty-five member county strong service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter.

ABOUT NATIONAL HOMEBUYERS FUND, INC. (NHF)
National Homebuyers Fund, Inc. (NHF) is a non-profit public benefit corporation established in 2002 to stimulate and expand homeownership opportunities nationwide. NHF has helped more than 37,600 individuals or families purchase a home and provided over $318 million in down payment assistance.
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