Children and youth involved with the child welfare system are also served by their local school districts. Educational outcomes for children in foster care can be improved through collaborations between the child welfare and educational systems. This section contains resources and information about these collaborations that improve services and outcomes for children, including State and local examples.
Child Welfare and School Readiness–Making the Link for Vulnerable Children (PDF - 126 KB)
State Early Childhood Policy Technical Assistance Network (2003)
Discusses roles that the child welfare system can play in better addressing the educational and developmental needs of young children in their systems.
Solving the Data Puzzle: A How-To Guide on Collecting and Sharing Information to Improve Educational Outcomes for Children in Out-of-Home Care
Legal Center for Foster Care and Education, American Bar Association, & Casey Family Programs (2008)
Considers the roles and collaborative efforts of education and child welfare agencies to collect data. The article focuses on how to identify youth in out-of-home care, what data should be collected, and how to use the No Child Left Behind Act to facilitate data collection.
The School Enrollment Process for Group Home Youth: An Examination of Interagency Collaboration on Behalf of Youth Transitioning Into New Group Homes
Ayasse, Donahue, Berrick, & Duerr
Journal of Public Child Welfare, 1(3), 2007
View Abstract
Examines the amount of time between the placement of youth in a new group home and enrollment and attendance in a new school, and seeks to understand the reasons for delays when they occur. The article discusses findings and includes recommendations.
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When Working Together Works: Academic Success for Students in Out-of-Home Care (PDF - 403 KB)
Legal Center for Foster Care and Education & National Center for Homeless Education (2010)
Helps educators and child welfare advocates work together to support the academic success of children and youth in out-of-home care. The brief offers practical, proven strategies for implementing two Federal laws collaboratively: The McKinney-Vento Act and the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act.
State and local examples
An Educational Advocacy Partnership: The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and Northern Illinois University
Freagon, Shumow, Baron-Jeffrey, & McCartney
Bridges, 2005
View Abstract
Explains how educational advisors provide technical assistance to foster parents, schools, and caseworkers, and discusses the development of the Center for Child Welfare and Education.
Children at Risk in the Child Welfare System: Collaborations to Promote School Readiness: Final Report (PDF - 1188 KB)
Catherine E. Cutler Institute for Child and Family Policy & Oldham Innovative Research (2009)
Provides an analysis of data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being as well as a case study in Colorado involving interviews with key stakeholders and statewide surveys of caseworkers and foster parents to examine how collaborations between the child welfare, early intervention/preschool special education and early care and education services meet the developmental needs of children ages 0 to 5 who are involved in the child welfare system.
Court-Based Education Efforts for Children in Foster Care: The Experience of the Pima County Juvenile Court (PDF - 547 KB)
Casey Family Programs & National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (2007)
Chronicles education reform efforts led by Pima County, AZ, courts by outlining the need, providing an overview, describing efforts, discussing impact, and offering suggestions to other jurisdictions that want to design and implement their own reform initiatives.
Florida's Children First Recommendations for Inter-Agency Actions to Improve Educational Opportunities for Florida's Foster Youth (PDF - 315 KB)
Florida's Children First (2009)
Provides recommendations about many issues that affect educational opportunities for foster youth in Florida, including background information, relevant data, and specific action steps.
Protecting Our Children: Improving Protections for Children When Allegations Are Made That School System Personnel Abused and/or Neglected Children (PDF - 5119 KB)
State of Connecticut Attorney General & Office of the Child Advocate (2010)
Explores systems aimed at protecting children in schools, including screening processes for school employees, mandated reporting laws, and the quality of investigations and responses of local school districts, the Department of Children and Families, and the Department of Education.
Social Worker's Practice Guide to Education for Children and Youth in Foster Care (PDF - 1126 KB)
Washington Children's Administration (2007)
Serves as a resource for caseworkers to increase their collaboration with schools and to increase education stability and achievement for children and youth in out-of-home care.