Students

FosterFerret is a life-management system for foster youth. It is delivered through a mobile device or a desktop computer. No matter how you log in, FosterFerret is designed to travel with you across schools, placements, and into adulthood. It is an operating system for independence and stability. 

FosterFerret helps you stay organized, supported, and informed, whether that’s with school, wellness, basic needs, or planning for your future.

Think of it as your trusted personal system, designed with help from your foster peers, for managing your life, documents, supports, and goals, all in one place.

FosterFerret is for foster youth ages 14 and older. 

You can use FosterFerret if you are:

• Currently in foster care

• In extended foster care

• A former foster youth who still needs support

The app is meant to support you through transitions, not just one moment in time.

Right now, FosterFerret is available to foster youth who attend school in Riverside County. We’re starting here so we can build the app thoughtfully, safely, and in partnership with local schools and agencies.

Once you have an account, you will continue to have access to your account as long as you need it, at least 25 years of age.  Some features are available indefinitely; however The Burrow and Wellness Check-in with Counselor LIVE is contingent upon the sponsoring organization within your county’s ongoing sponsorship of those programs beyond the age you are eligible for services.

You will need to edit your account and change the email address to one you have access to outside of school to continue accessing your FosterFerret account.

If you attend school outside of Riverside County, you’ll need to complete a short Google Form linked in the app.

Once you submit the form:

• Our team will reach out to representatives in your school’s county

• We’ll explore whether they’re interested in providing access for students in their county

• We’ll follow up as soon as we have more information

This helps us expand responsibly and makes sure foster youth are supported locally.

Does filling out the Google Form guarantee access?

Not yet, but it helps us take the next step. 

Access depends on whether your school’s county is able and willing to partner to support foster youth. Submitting the form puts your county on our radar and helps us advocate for expansion.

FosterFerret works best when counties are involved because:

• Education and foster youth supports are managed locally

• Counties help ensure accurate information and follow-up

• Partnerships help keep the app free and sustainable

Starting county-by-county allows us to grow without losing trust or quality.

What is the Wellness Check-In?

The Wellness Check-In is a daily, optional tool in FosterFerret designed to help you pause, check in with yourself, and get support when you need or want it.

It’s here to support you, on good days, hard days, and everything in between. It’s not a test. It’s not a report card. It’s a way for you to see how you’re doing, and to make sure support is available 24/7/365, even after your school closes and your mental health team goes home for the day.

You’re not alone

What do I check in on each day?

When you use the Wellness Check-In, you’ll rate yourself in three areas:

• Physical – How your body feels (energy, sleep, health)

• Mental – How you’re feeling emotionally or mentally

• Support – How supported or connected you feel

Each area is rated on a simple scale.

Will anyone else see my check-in scores?

No. Your check-in is designed to support you, not to monitor or report you. It is not shared with your school, social worker, or caregivers.

Your privacy matters.

Do I have to use the Wellness Check-In every day?

No. It’s optional. Some students like using it daily. Others use it only when they’re feeling off or need extra support.

You decide what works for you.

What if I don’t want to talk to someone right away?

That’s okay. The pop-up is an invitation, not a requirement. You’re always in control of whether you engage.

Why does FosterFerret include this feature?

Because foster youth told us that:

• It’s hard to know when to ask for help

• Support isn’t always available when it’s needed

• Sometimes it helps just to have someone check in

The Wellness Check-In exists to make sure support is easier to reach, not harder.

What happens if I’m not doing well?

If your ratings average below a 3, a pop-up will appear offering a check-in with a trained crisis counselor. This is not an emergency alert. It’s simply someone checking in to make sure you’re okay and supported.

You get to choose whether or not to engage but you must at least respond that you are safe.

Can I talk to a counselor even if I don’t get the pop-up?

Yes. Always.

You can access a live counselor anytime, day or night, 24/7/365 through the Wellness Check-In, even if you didn’t complete a daily check-in or didn’t score below a 3. Support is available whenever you need it.

Who are the counselors?

You don’t have to be in crisis to reach out. Wellness support is provided through Gaggle, with trained crisis counselors who are there to:

• Listen

• Support

• Help you feel grounded and safe
  
  

What happens if a counselor is really worried about my safety?

The goal is always to support and de-escalate. In most situations, trained crisis counselors are able to help you feel safer through conversation and grounding.

In rare situations, if there is an immediate safety risk that cannot be de-escalated, they may take additional steps to make sure you get the right level of help.

What information could be shared in a serious safety situation?

If there is a serious concern about your safety, limited information may be shared with Gaggle’s crisis response team to help ensure appropriate support. This may include:

• Your current location

• Your self-identified emergency contact

• Your caregiver’s information 

This information is used only to help connect you to immediate support when it’s needed.

Who sees this information?

Only trained professionals involved in providing crisis response and safety support. It is not shared with schools, teachers, or staff as part of normal app use.

Do I get to choose my emergency contact?

Yes. You self-identify an emergency contact at the time you create your account. It should be someone over 18 that you trust. You should not name someone that the court has said you cannot have contact with.

Why does FosterFerret include this step?

Because your safety matters. FosterFerret was built to respect your privacy, give you control, and make support easy to access, but if there is a serious risk, making sure you’re not alone matters most.

Bottom Line: Wellness Check-In

The Wellness Check-In is designed to support you, not to get you in trouble. Most check-ins stay private. Additional support is always your choice. And if you need urgent help, the system is designed to make sure you’re safe.

The Vault: Your Secure Digital Storage

The Vault is your secure digital space inside FosterFerret where only you control access. You can safely store important documents like:

• Birth certificate

• Immunization records

• Social Security card

• School records

• ID or other important paperwork

This is meant to be your personal, lifelong record, not just temporary storage.

What should I store in my Digital Vault?

We recommend keeping copies of things like:

• School transcripts

• Report cards

• IEPs or 504 plans (if applicable)

• IDs and important paperwork

• Letters, certificates, or awards

You decide what to upload.

Why should I upload my transcript regularly?

We strongly recommend downloading and saving a copy every time grades are posted because it:

• It helps you keep an up-to-date record of your credits and grades

• You can check it for accuracy and compare it to what you see in the school system

• If something doesn’t look right, you have documentation to advocate for yourself

Having your own copy gives you clarity and confidence.

Should I save my schoolwork, too?

Yes — especially work you’re proud of. We recommend saving.

After you graduate, your school Google account will eventually be turned off, and you may lose access to files stored there. Saving copies now helps you keep your work.

How can saved assignments help me later?

Your work can be useful for:

• College applications

• Scholarships

• Job or internship applications

• Personal portfolios

• Reminding yourself of what you’re capable of

Your work tells your story, and it belongs to you.

Who can see what I store in the Vault?

Only you. The Vault exists to support you, not to monitor you.

What is the Burrow Shop?

The Burrow Shop is part of the FosterFerret system that helps connect you to basic items in a way that is private, respectful, and easy.

Everything offered in the Burrow Shop is based on feedback directly from foster youth.

What types of items are available?

Items in the Burrow Shop may include:

• School supplies

• Clothing

• Hygiene products

• Food cards and snacks

• Sporting equipment and activity gear

Available items may change over time as we continue to listen to student feedback.

How do items get to me?

When available, items are delivered discreetly by Amazon to:

• Your school, or

• Your home

You choose the delivery location. There’s no public pickup and no need to explain your situation.

How does funding for the Burrow Shop work?

Currently, based on available funding, FosterFerret provides Burrow Shop funds so youth can access items they need. The sponsoring organization determines the amount of funding for the youth they serve and how often funds will be replenished.

In addition, there are opportunities to earn additional funds throughout the year by:

• Engaging with the app

• Participating in activities or opportunities shared by the FosterFerret team

• Providing feedback that helps improve the app for other foster youth

These opportunities are designed to be supportive and empowering. 

How will I know when funds are available or when I can earn more?

You’ll hear about it through:

• Messages inside FosterFerret

• Notifications

• Special events or opportunities

If there is an emergency, you can reach out via “Technical Support.”

Why was the Burrow Shop created?

Foster youth told us that:

• Asking for basic needs can feel uncomfortable

• Needs change quickly

• Support should be easy and judgment-free

• Funds sometimes didn’t reach them as intended

The Burrow Shop was created to reduce barriers and help make sure basic needs don’t get in the way of school, activities, or well-being.

Do I have to explain why I need something?

No. The Burrow Shop is built on trust. 

Will my school or caregivers be notified?

Information is shared only when needed to help with delivery or support.

Can I suggest items for the Burrow Shop?

Yes. Use the “Technical Support” link in FosterFerret to share ideas — they matter.

Bottom Line: Burrow Shop

It exists to meet real needs quietly, respectfully, and without judgment. You asked. We listened. And we’re still listening.

What is the GPT Notebook?

The GPT Notebook is a place where you can search for answers to questions that are specific to foster youth, not generic answers meant for everyone else.

It’s designed to give you information that actually fits your situation.

What kinds of questions can I ask?

The GPT Notebook is part of your FosterFerret system, a place to get answers that are specific to foster youth rather than generic internet responses.

• How do I get my birth certificate?

• How do I get my Social Security card?

• What are my education rights as a foster youth?

• How do I apply for college or financial aid as a foster youth?

The answers are tailored to your situation as a foster youth. 

How is this different from Google?

Online searches often:

• Send you to places that charge money

• Don’t explain foster youth protections

• Give steps that don’t apply to you

The GPT Notebook already understands you are asking as a foster youth and gives guidance that fits your rights and circumstances.

Does this replace my social worker or school staff?

No. No. It helps you know what to ask, understand your options, and advocate for yourself — but it does not replace real people.

Is what I ask private?

Yes. Your questions are meant to support you. If something suggests you might be at risk, a pop-up may offer live counselor support — not punishment. You always have a choice about whether to engage.

What is Diploma Pro?

Diploma Pro is a FosterFerret system feature that helps you get back on track toward graduation in a way that fits your life. It gives you options, not ultimatums.

What can I do through Diploma Pro?

Diploma Pro offers two main options, and you can choose what works best for you.

Option 1: Enroll in a Virtual Diploma Recovery Program

If you choose this option:

• FosterFerret will provide a laptop and a MiFi device 

• You can work on a flexible schedule. 

• The program is designed around your life

This works well if traditional school hasn’t been a good fit or you need flexibility due to work, placement changes, or other responsibilities.

Option 2: Explore Your Graduation Options

You can request a transcript review to understand: 

• Your credit status

• Graduation options in your district

• California’s minimum credit diploma option

• Other educational pathways

A FosterFerret Program Manager will guide next steps.

Do I have to have my transcript or other school records?

No. You can ask our team to get it for you. Once received, it will be placed in your Vault where only you control access.

Do I have to choose right away?

No. You will receive an email with all of your options and can take time to decide.

Does this replace my school counselor or district staff?

No. Diploma Pro helps you ask better questions and advocate for yourself while still working with your school.

Is there any cost to me?

No cost to you. Diploma Pro is funded through public and partner support, so foster youth can access it without charges.

New parts of the system are being built, including:

• College & FAFSA assistance. 

• Know Your Rights information

• Career & job readiness tools 

• Regionally curated contacts hub

Your feedback helps shape what comes next.