1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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:

5. 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

6. Los Angeles County Office of EducationRT
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

7. 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 )

8. 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

9. Rachelle Touzard, Ph.D., LMFT
Project Director