Maintaining Credit

All youth in foster care, ages 14 and older, need credit checks done annually. This ensures that any credit issues, such as fraudulent use of their identities to obtain financial gain, are resolved before they turn age 18. It is also important for youth to learn about the credit check process, the importance of maintaining good credit and what to do if there is a bad credit report.

The following describes how this process works, and guidelines for helping youth, caregivers and professionals understand credit and its implications for current and former foster youth:

• Maintaining Credit: Explaining Credit to Youth + Tips
• Credit Check Training
• Protecting the Credit of Youth in Foster Care
• Examples of Youth and Credit