1. Educational Advocacy
And
The CASA Volunteer

2. Children in Foster Care
are at higher risk for:
Homelessness
Poverty
Public assistance
Juvenile or adult court involvement

3. When these youth have unmet educational needs the risks are even higher.

4. more likely to repeat a grade than non-maltreated children.
These children are
2.5 times
more likely to repeat a grade than
non-maltreated children.

5. 3 STEP APPROACH

6. First Step
Ensure that the social worker has made the school aware that a child is in foster care.

7. and any relevant school history.
Second Step
Obtain school records
and any relevant school history.

8. Third Step
Identify one person at the school with whom you can establish a communicative relationship.

9. Another crucial consideration is advocating for children to remain in the same school despite removal from their parental homes and subsequent placement changes.

10. Fostering Connection Act
Passed in
October of 2008

11. Education is a critical component of the safety, permanency, and well being of children in out of home care.

12. Fostering Connections recognizes the critical importance of educational stability and continuity.

13. It places requirements on child welfare agencies to ensure educational stability.

14. Child welfare agencies must include “a plan for ensuring the educational stability of the child while in foster care” as part of every child’s case plan.

15. DHW must include assurances that:
The placement of the child in foster care takes into account the appropriateness of the current educational setting and the proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at time of placement

16. DHW has coordinated with appropriate local educational agencies to ensure that the child remains in the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement unless remaining in that school is not in the child’s best interest.

17. Additionally, the law requires that if remaining in this school is not in the best interest of the child, the case plan must include assurances by DHW and local educational agencies that they will
Provide immediate and appropriate enrollment in new school; and
Provide all of the educational records of the child to the new school.

18. Ask questions related to the child’s education
National CASA’s Recommended Volunteer Role in Supporting Educational Outcomes
Ask questions related to the child’s education

19. Be the “squeaky wheel” to which the school responds.
National CASA’s Recommended Volunteer Role in Supporting Educational Outcomes
Be the “squeaky wheel” to which the school responds.

20. National CASA’s Recommended Volunteer Role in Supporting Educational Outcomes
Talk to the children about their needs and wishes regarding their education

21. National CASA’s Recommended Volunteer Role in Supporting Educational Outcomes
Ask questions of all the adults involved in making decisions about the child’s life, including school staff.

22. National CASA’s Recommended Volunteer Role in Supporting Educational Outcomes
Act as a communication “bridge” among various institutions and individuals who interact and care about the child’s welfare

23. National CASA’s Recommended Volunteer Role in Supporting Educational Outcomes
Develop and recommend strategies to the child welfare system and the court to overcome barriers to an effective educational plan.

24. National CASA’s Recommended Volunteer Role in Supporting Educational Outcomes
Ensure that the court has all the information needed about school situation so that the judge can make appropriate orders and case plans

25. Questions to ask…………………………………???????????????
Other
Questions to ask…………………………………???????????????

26. If the child is age appropriate, has he been enrolled in the Head Start Program?

27. If the child has changed schools, did the credits transfer?

28. Who is involved in the child’s daily educational activities, such as helping with homework and monitoring school progress?