TIPs for ELP Trauma Informed Practices for Extended Learning Programs Presented by: Rachelle Touzard, Ph.D Project Director F o s t e r Y o u t h S e r v i c e s C o o r d i n a t i n g P r o g r a m

Our plan for today Students in foster care Impact on education Best practices and tips Educational Outcomes for Foster Youth Define Trauma Responses to Trauma TIPs for schools Resources Self-Care JG

Los Angeles County Data Nearly 700,000 children are abused annually. In 2015, an estimated 1,670 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States. 36,000 children in foster care 21,000 are school-aged 13,000 referrals to DCFS each month JG National Children’s Alliance. National Statistics on Child Abuse.http://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org/media-room/media-kit/national-statistics-child-abuse

Foster Youth and School Discipline Nearly half (48%) of foster youth struggle with emotional or behavioral issues. Nationally, 67% of foster youth have been suspended at least once. Youth involved with the child welfare system have a 47% greater rate of delinquency than other youth. JG Faer, L., & Cohen, M. (2015). Fostering Educational Success. Retrieved from Fix School Discipline website: http://www.fixschooldiscipline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Fostering-Educational-Success-Report-2-17-15-Fast-Facts.pdf

Los Angeles County Office of Education Education Outcomes Transfer schools 4-6 times per year 80% repeat a grade by 3rd grade 1 in 5 proficient in English by 11thgrade 1 in 20 proficient in Math by 11th grade Less than 50% graduation rate Within 2 years of aging out of foster care, more than 50% are homeless, incarcerated, or on welfare. JG Los Angeles County Office of Education

Los Angeles County Office of Education RT AB490 Helps to address school instability Immediate enrollment- regardless of fines, records, etc. and attending classes, obtain records with communication of all parties Requires communication between educators, school personnel, social workers, probation officers, caregivers, advocates, and juvenile court officers Education placement decisions must be made in the best interest of the foster youth student. (ERH- travel considerations, timing- end of semester…7-day notices) Transfer of records- social worker communicate to school; school sends records in two days of request (DCFS 1399 helps in identification of old school and new school for transfers) Cannot penalize child due to absence because of court or ordered activity (cannot issue F’s for each absence thereafter and lowering the percentage of their grade, grades must be based on last day of attendance, not when the student was un enrolled) Must give award all full and partial credits. (will show a model for doing this) AB1933 Allows foster youth to remain in their school or origin even if they are placed out of district Any school attended within the last 15 months that student has a connection to If case is closed, can be allowed to remain: Middle or elementary school – finish out the academic year High School – stay until graduation Determine best interest of the child Transportation DCFS – reimburse foster parents/caregivers School districts – at their discretion School districts must provide transportation for student receiving special education if stated in the IEP Disputes Remain in school of origin until resolved Liaisons – advisory role in placement decisions and determinations Education rights holder has decision making authority AB643: Uninterrupted Scholars Act Amended EC 49076, effective January 1, 2014 Amended California law to align the exceptions created to FERPA by the federal Uninterrupted Scholars Act of 2013. Created an exception to the general rule that a school district shall not permit access to pupil records without written parental consent Los Angeles County Office of Education

Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA elevates all of California’s State Laws to the Federal level You need this for Title I Assurances Remain in school when it is in their best interest Immediate enrollment and transfer of records School transportation when necessary State and Local Educational Agency (LEA) Point of Contact Required Data Collection and Reporting Removal of "Awaiting Foster Care Placement" from McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act RT Los Angeles County Office of Education, 2017 (FY: pp. 20-21)

Best practices: AB 1567 Priority Enrollment Identification School district homeless/foster care liaison Training in trauma/data sensitivity- do not “out” children on foster or homeless status Most students are placed with relatives or the “non-offending” parent, or are with biological parents and receiving services from DCFS- therefore, in “foster care.” Analyze program data to meet the needs Be aware of community resources/referrals if program is impacted Los Angeles County Office of Education

Rachelle Touzard, Ph.D., LMFT Project Director touzard_rachelle@lacoe.edu 562.922.6469