Contents

GETTING INFORMATION

• • The public library and its resources

  • The Internet: Key search engines, social networking

  • Protecting yourself online

  • Information overload

DOCUMENTS AND PAPERS

• • Documents you might need and how to get them: Birth certificate, photo ID, social security card, and others 

  • Tips for dealing with state and federal agencies

  • Protecting your identity

HOUSING AND UTILITIES

• • Shelters and other temporary housing

  • Renting basics: Location, safety, affordability

  • Assistance with housing costs

  • Utilities: Water, electricity, and gas; heating and cooling, telephone, TV

  • Getting essential furniture and equipment

GETTING AROUND

• • Local and long distance public transportation

  • Personal transportation: bicycles

  • Buying or renting a vehicle

  • Insurance and licenses

MAIL AND PACKAGES

• • Post office boxes

  • Mailing options, packages, money orders

  • Commercial mailing and shipping services: UPS, FedEx

EDUCATION

• • Post-high school options

  • Choosing a school

  • Paying for your education

JOBS AND CAREERS

• • Employer and employee responsibilities

  • Career planning

  • Finding openings

  • Job applications, resumes and interviews

  • Unemployment insurance

MONEY AND BUDGETING

• • Income

  • Banking

  • Budgeting

  • Bill-paying

  • Borrowing & lending

  • Public assistance

  • Taxes

  • Protecting yourself from theft and scams

HEALTH AND SELF CARE 

• • Elements of physical and emotional health

  • Lifestyle issues: Smoking, alcohol and drug use

  • Addiction

GETTING HEALTH CARE 

• • Health insurance basics

  • Help for those without insurance

  • Basic health care services

  • Evaluating health care providers

  • Resources for information about specific health problems 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS 

• • Communication basics

  • Sending and receiving messages

  • Conversations

  • Conflicts

  • Apologies Communication

BOUNDARIES AND RELATIONSHIPS

• • Why boundaries?

  • Types of boundaries

  • Relationships, healthy and risky

  • Boundaries in relationships

RIGHTS 

• • What is a “right?” 

  • U.S. rights: Children’s and parents’ rights; victims’ rights

  • The United Nations and rights Rights

ABUSE AND NEGLECT 

• • Types of maltreatment

  • How to help a victim or possible victim 

  • Abuse and neglect investigations

PARENTING AFTER THE CULT 

• • Ideas for helping children with you to adjust to their new life 

  • Suggestions for staying in touch with children you left behind 

  • Basic information about custody issues

TEENAGERS ON THEIR OWN

• • Age of majority

  • Services and shelters 

  • Legal issues 

  • Child Protective Services and court involvement

MAINSTREAM CULTURE

• • Movies, music, the media

  • Sports, hobbies and pastimes 

  • Fine arts 

  • Religion and spirituality 

  • Shopping

CIVIC LIFE 

• • How to get the most out of being an American 

  • Getting government to work for you 

  • Influencing government decisions 

  • Voting 

  • Jury duty Civic Life