Coalition for Educational Equity for Foster Youth Foster Care and Youth Probation System Overview Patricia armani, LA County Dept of Children and Family Services Martha matthews, public counsel August 12, 2014 Coalition for Educational Equity for Foster Youth

Important Terms Dependency/foster care system – supervision of youth by the juvenile court because of abuse or neglect by parents/guardians Delinquency/youth probation system – supervision of youth by the juvenile court because of an offense by the youth DCFS – Department of Children and Family Services, the county agency that provides placement and services to dependent youth Los Angeles County Probation Dep’t– the county agency that supervises youth in the probation system

(Foster Care) (Probation)

FOSTER CARE (Dependency)

LCFF Definition of Foster Youth All youth with an open dependency (abuse/neglect) case in juvenile court, either in out of home placement (relative, foster parent, or group home), or living with their parents or guardians under court supervision. All youth with an open delinquency (probation) case in juvenile court, who are in an out of home placement.

How Children Enter the Dependency System Hotline call or report Mandated reporters (school personnel, police, doctors, nurses, etc.) Abuse/neglect investigation by DCFS Child removed from home and placed with relative or in foster care. Court case filed by DCFS Juvenile court hearings - court orders placement and services.

Foster Care Placement Options Child remains in parent’s home under court and DCFS supervision. Child placed with noncustodial parent. Child placed with relative or friend of family. Child placed in foster home or group home.

Services to Child and Family DCFS must ensure child receives: medical and dental care, therapy and other mental health care, education, and sibling visits. DCFS (usually) must provide “family reunification” services to parents: visitation, drug/alcohol treatment, counseling, parenting classes, domestic violence classes; referrals for housing, benefits, etc.

Services to Child and Family DCFS must ensure child receives: medical and dental care, therapy and other mental health care, education, and sibling visits. DCFS (usually) must provide “family reunification” services to parents: visitation, drug/alcohol treatment, counseling, parenting classes, domestic violence classes; referrals for housing, benefits, etc.

Reunification? If parents comply with case plan, resolve problems that led to removal of child, court may return child to parents, usually with continuing supervision for about 6 months. If parents do not resolve problems that led to removal of child, court will end reunification services and make a permanent plan for the child.

Permanent Plan Options Termination of parental rights and adoption Legal guardianship with a relative Legal guardianship with a nonrelative Long term foster care is last resort.

PROBATION (DELINQUENCY)

How Youth Enter the Delinquency System Arrest or complaint Police report DA decision to file charges WIC 602 petition filed Court hearings If petition sustained, youth placed on probation.

Probation Case Outcomes… Diversion or informal probation Formal probation (petition sustained) Placement decision by court: Home on probation Suitable placement (relative, foster home or group home) Camp Youth Authority

Addressing Issues of Court-Involved Youth (Dependency AND Delinquency)

Key Players in Juvenile Courts All foster youth have… Social worker (CSW) Minor’s attorney (Children’s Law Center) Some also have… CLC investigator/social worker CASA Education attorney All probation youth have… Probation officer (DPO) Public defender or panel attorney Some also have… PD social worker or resource attorney Education attorney

Introductory Communication When first beginning to work with a youth, contact these key adults by phone and e-mail to explain your role, and ask for information about the youth’s education history and current needs Creating these connections early will help ensure a prompt response if concerns arise later!

Initial Contacts Will Make Your Job Easier! When you first start working with a foster youth, send introductory e-mails or make phone calls to the youth’s: Education Rights Holder Caregiver (if not the ERH) DCFS social worker or probation officer CLC attorney and/or public defender

Initial Contacts, Continued… Connecting with you will help foster youth’s ERH’s, caregivers, social workers, probation officers, and attorneys do their jobs. Let them know you can help by providing information they need for their reports, and working with them to address the youth’s education needs and resolve problems. Ask them to call you about any situation that affects a youth’s education … especially a potential change in placement!

Contacting with Concerns When a concern arises regarding a youth’s education, contact the youth’s ERH, caregiver, social worker/probation officer, and attorney(s). These people have a legal responsibility to monitor the youth’s educational progress, and can provide or arrange supports such as tutoring, mental health care.

What If I Can’t Reach These People? Make three attempts 1-2 days apart – leave both e- mail and voicemail messages; specify what you need and why it is urgent. If no response, go up the “chain of command.” Document your efforts. If necessary, seek help from your supervisor to make higher-level contacts.

Going Up the Chain…

Other Contacts The youth’s caregiver, even if he/she is not the ERH, often has a great perspective on the youth’s current education needs Also consider contacting a youth’s CASA, education attorney, mental health providers, and others working with the youth.