The Virtual Assistant Living and Education Program

The Virtual Assistant Living and Educational Program, The VALE Program will allow at risk foster youth enhanced access to information that promotes independence and self-sufficiency. 

This information management system will include, but not be limited to, personal information such as birth certificates, social security cards, school records, immunization records, medical records, identification cards, and resumes. They will develop a personal database to store important addresses and telephone numbers for easy access. The web site will also connect the youth to appropriate resources to meet their educational needs, independent living skills required and career aspirations.

The objective is to utilize their information to gain access to resources that are specific to their needs. There are currently no other innovative web site information social networking resource systems designed specifically for the foster youth population. The VALE program is in the process of becoming an accredited California online school. We will also train youth in computer basics, such as how to navigate the Internet for necessary resources. We have registered with www.Thinkfinity.org as a collaborative goal to help engage and expose youth to enhance learning and other online resources.

We use other educational web sites links that cater to teen/adult learning and assessment testing such as www.lightspan.com, www.oltraining.com, www.educatela.org and www.edventures.com, which is an Academy of Engineering that empowers the student by presenting the foundations of mechanical engineering, structures, and architecture through an exciting series of hands-on activities. www.connectacademy.com is a free online public school for youth that are unable to attend regular school. We will also subscribe to www.number2.com, which provides preparation for standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT which are integral to college preparedness. Each is designed to help improve English, writing, math and language skills. www.skillstutor.com will be one of the main interactive Internet based programs that we will work with. Skills tutor.com has the capability of monitoring the accountability level of achievement and progress of clients.

Living Advantage's vision is to eliminate unemployment, homelessness and incarceration for youth in foster care living in Los Angeles County. In locating and maintaining youth's vital life documents allows them to have a family history, an identity and provide them with opportunities from the community on a consistent basis.