Youth and Young Adults

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

Hi friend. Being young and on your own, or not safe at home, is so hard. You're not in trouble for reaching out, and you don't have to figure it all out by yourself. There are people in Florida who help young people just like you, every day.

Here is the easy first step: if you need a safe place or someone to talk to, call 1.800.RUNAWAY (800.786.2929). It's at no cost, private and open 24/7. You can also chat at 1800runaway.org.

A few things to know

• You choose. Use what feels right for you and skip anything that doesn't.
• Each place decides who it can serve. We share what each place says it offers and how to reach it. We can't promise a bed, money or a spot in any program.
• Hours and details change. Call ahead when you can.
• In danger right now? Call 911. Thinking about suicide or in crisis? Call or text 988.

Where can I go if I can't stay at home?

If you're under 18, the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services is a great place to start. It says its services are at no cost, private and available every day of the year, in all 67 Florida counties, 24 hours a day.

• The Florida Network offers emergency shelter for youth ages 6 to 17 who are runaway, homeless or in an unsafe situation, plus counseling for youth and families.
• Use the Find Help Near Me map at floridanetwork.org, or call 850.922.4324.
• If you're 18 to 24, ask 211 or 1.800.RUNAWAY about young adult shelters near you. Some programs, like Covenant House Florida, serve young adults.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.floridanetwork.org/

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You're not in trouble

Calling a youth hotline doesn't mean you're in trouble. They're there to listen and help you stay safe. You did a smart thing by reaching out!

What if I aged out of foster care?

DCF's Office of Continuing Care, part of Hope Florida, gives at no cost, one on one help to young people ages 18 to 26 who have aged out or will age out of foster care in Florida, including extended foster care.

• A Hope Navigator can connect you to resources near you and guide you to special services for former foster youth.
• Call the Hope Line at 833.438.4673 (833.GET.HOPE).

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/child-family/independent-living

Where you start doesn't decide where you end up. You've got a whole future ahead of you, friend.

From the Bunklow team

Can I stay in school if I don't have a stable home?

Talk to your school. Every school district has a homeless education liaison who can help students without stable housing keep going to school.

Ask your school counselor or front office for the district's homeless liaison.

College in Florida: some students, including many current and former foster youth and students without stable housing, may not have to pay tuition and fees at Florida public colleges and universities. Check the official page below, and ask the college's financial aid office.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2026/1009.25

Where can I find a job or training?

• Job Corps, ages 16 to 24. Job Corps says it is a no cost career training and education program for young adults with low incomes, with housing and meals while you train. Call 800.733.5627.
• CareerSource young adult programs. Several CareerSource boards list programs for ages 16 to 24. See Guide 6 for your county.
• Your library. No cost computers, WiFi and often help with resumes.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.jobcorps.gov/

Who can I talk to if I'm struggling?

• 988. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, any time.
• The Trevor Project. No cost, private support 24/7 for LGBTQ+ young people, by call, text or chat at thetrevorproject.org.
• 1.800.RUNAWAY. You can call just to talk, even if you're not planning to leave home.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

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Save the numbers

Take a screenshot of the key numbers in this guide so you have them even without data. Easy peasy!

Can I go to college at no cost if I was in foster care?

Many young people who were in Florida's child welfare system can go to a public college, state university or job training program without paying tuition or fees. Florida DCF calls it the Postsecondary Tuition and Fee Exemption.

• Who may qualify. DCF lists young people who were in out of home care at 18, were in a relative's or nonrelative's custody at 18, were adopted from DCF after May 5, 1997, or were placed in certain guardianships. Some young people reunited with a parent as older teens also qualify.
• How long it lasts. Until you turn 28.
• What it doesn't cover. DOE says books, housing and food are not covered, so fill out the FAFSA too.
• How to get it. Ask your Community Based Care lead agency for a signed form CF FSP 5220, then give it to your school's financial aid office.
• Not sure who to call? DCF's Hope Line is 833.438.4673 (833.GET.HOPE). If you were adopted, call the Adoption Information Center at 800.962.3678.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www.myflfamilies.com/youth-young-adults/postsecondary-tuition-and-fee-exemption and https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7480/urlt/0082725-faqsdcfexemption.pdf

How many hours can I work if I'm under 18?

Florida doesn't use work permits or working papers. Questions about how many hours you can work, or which jobs are OK at your age?

Check the official page below, and decide what's right for you.

• Talk with your boss about a schedule that leaves time for school.
• Ask about meal breaks when you start.
• If a job feels unsafe, it's OK to ask questions or say no.
• Questions? Call Florida's Child Labor Program at 800.226.2536.

Source (As of October 22, 2026): https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/child-labor/educational-guidelines/

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Safety first at work

If a boss asks you to do something that feels unsafe, or to work too many hours, it's OK to say no. Talk to a trusted adult or call 800.226.2536.

Federal help (works in every state)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Florida

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Miami Dade County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Broward County (Fort Lauderdale)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Palm Beach County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Hillsborough County (Tampa)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Orange County (Orlando)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Duval County (Jacksonville)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Pinellas County (St. Petersburg and Clearwater)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Lee County (Fort Myers)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Polk County (Lakeland)

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

Brevard County

Here are some places to start.

Other local groups may also help.

My plan

Fill this in with a pen, or snap a photo and keep it on your phone. You've got this!

Key numbers to keep

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Please let me know if you have any questions

If something in this guide is out of date, tell us and we'll fix it. I believe in you. Make it a great day, friend!

About this guide

Made by the Bunklow team. No sign up, no paywall, no cost. Please share it with anyone who could use it. Bunklow does not run these programs and cannot speak for them. We list what each place says it offers and how to reach it, and you decide what to use. This is not a full list of every place that can help. Sources were first checked on October 16, 2026. New sources were added, and every link was checked again on October 18, 2026. If something has changed, please tell us so we can fix it. We are always happy to hear from you!

Please note. This guide shares general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax or professional advice. Laws vary by state and city. For advice about your situation, talk with a licensed professional.

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Last updated October 18, 2026