Preparing Youth in Foster Care for Going Back to School | YMCA Foster Care

Whether you are starting your fostering journey or are a seasoned caregiver, considering the educational needs of youth in foster care can be daunting. August is a busy month for families and caregivers as many are taking their last summer trips and starting to prepare for going back to school. Students are finding out who their new teacher will be, and many schools are having events to welcome students back for the year. For foster youth and caregivers, this may be an exciting time but could also be stressful. Here at the YMCA, we have skilled case managers who provide caregiver support to help our families navigate preparing for school. Foster parents and relative caregivers play an important role in ensuring that youth placed in their homes attend school regularly and receive the help they need to succeed academically. When foster youth enter out-of-home care, they may have to leave their support system, which includes family, friends, local community, and school. According to statistics gathered by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, foster youths average two placements a year and spend upwards of 17.5 months in foster care before achieving permanency. This means there is a high likelihood of foster youth changing schools.  

The Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF) must follow specific guidelines when addressing a foster youth’s educational needs. One guideline is for the child to remain at the school they were attending whenever it is practical and in the best interests of the child. This can sometimes be hard to achieve, especially if limited placement options within the youth’s school district are available. When discussing potential school changes, DCYF Social Workers are obligated to schedule a Best in Determination (BID) meeting. During this meeting, DCYF will gather input from the foster youth, biological family, current and former caregivers, school staff, and the youth’s Guardian Ad Litem if assigned. In attendance may also be a DCYF Regional Education Lead who specializes in understanding educational legislation, administrative policies, and procedures for accessing resources and services. If the decision is made for the youth to stay at their current school, the next steps are to arrange transportation, if needed, and to ensure the school is aware of the student’s status in out-of-home care. If the decision is to move to a new school, the next steps will be to expedite the transfer of student records, arrange transportation, if needed, and communicate with school staff for a “warm hand-off.” The DCYF Social Worker, YMCA Case Manager, and the youth’s caregivers will all work closely with the youth’s school and the district to ensure that transportation and in-school support is in place.  

Another major focus for DCYF is addressing the ongoing educational needs of foster youth at each new placement. DCYF Social Workers are required to complete an Education Plan for children in out-of-home care. It must be updated every six months and reviewed at each placement change. The plan should address a child’s physical, emotional, or behavioral needs and any issues with learning and/or developmental abilities. If there is a suspected developmental concern, DCYF must refer children ages birth to 2 years old to an early intervention program and children ages 3 to 17 years old to an age-appropriate community program and local school district for assessments. DCYF Social Workers, YMCA Case Managers, and caregivers play a critical role in advocating for appropriate services. This includes participating in school meetings and working closely with teachers, counselors, and school administration. Depending on the youth’s needs, an Individualized Education Plan, or a 504 Plan may be implemented in the classroom to address their needs. Our YMCA Case Managers can help families start and navigate that process. 

Researching the legislation and policies surrounding foster youth and their educational needs can be intimidating which is why being licensed with a private child placing agency like the YMCA is crucial. We provide caregiver support from experienced professionals who have worked with foster youth in various settings and different challenges. Foster parents and relative caregivers play a critical role in helping youth deal with the stress of starting a new school and/or overcoming educational challenges. That starts with providing them with a stable and loving home. Most importantly, it is finding ways to support the youth placed in your home so they can be successful! 

References: 

Annie E. Casey Foundation 

OSPI: Best Interest Determination Process 

 DCYF: Educational Services and Planning