Educating Youth in Foster Care

The Experience of Youth in Foster Care The link between foster care and low academic performance has been documented nationwide. Many of these children and youth repeated a grade and were more than one grade level delayed. Youth in care generally have lower scores on standardized tests. Youth in care have higher absentee and tardy rates and are twice as likely as the rest of the population to drop out before finishing high school.

Youth in foster care have experienced trauma that impact their self esteem, behavior, attachments and relationships, which affect their ability to learn. Trauma

It is often difficult to ensure that complete educational records follow the youth. Not only can it be difficult to facilitate the transfer of the educational records from one school to another, it can also be challenging for the foster parents to gain access to the other educational records. Education Records

Many youth in care don’t participate in extracurricular activities. However, involvement in extracurricular activities tends to promote self- esteem and could be essential to staying engaged in school. Normalcy

Many youth in foster care are never identified as needing special education services. The reverse is also true. Often, referrals are made quickly without assessing the entire picture, and a youth may be inappropriately placed in special education. Special Education

Youth in foster care also may become frustrated and leave school before graduating. They may not have families who have been good role models, such as embracing education and valuing the completion of high school. Or, youth may just be too distracted by the instability in their family situation to focus on school. High School Graduation

EDUCATION PROGRAMS Children’s Administration and Treehouse Education Advocates (statewide): Resolve education barriers Pre-K – 12 th grade statewide Short-term, problem-centered, Drop-out prevention Education Specialists (King County): Education planning, monitoring, and support for 6 th – 12 th grade in King County Long-term, proactive Focused on high school completion Plan for the future

EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATES  Prevent school changes or facilitate seamless school transitions when foster care placements change  Ensure testing and access to education-related support services, including special education  Minimize disciplinary actions that keep kids out of school  Provide resources to help kids get and stay on track to graduate

build a relationship of accountability provide personalized intervention building problem solving and self-advocacy skills proactively removing barriers to school success EDUCATION SPECIALISTS

WHAT WE DO FOR OUR PARTNERS  Extra eyes and ears on youth at school  Help coordinate education-related services between social worker, caregivers & schools  Collaborate on common goal of increased high school graduations  Collaborate on youth transitions beyond high school.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All youth in out of home care with unmet educational needs are eligible The social worker or CHET screener must make the referral, but you may contact the youth’s social worker at anytime with concerns

Paying for College Education and Training Voucher (ETV)

College: What’s in it for you? Research shows that individuals who receive a college degree are more likely to have: Better Health Greater Wealth More Security Stronger Community Did you know? Unemployment rates are much lower for college graduates than those who only received a high school diploma or GED.

Did you know? Individuals with a college degree earn an average of 63% more in hourly wages than those with only a high school diploma or GED.

Who can help me if I have questions? There are supportive adults who can help you through the financial aid process. Designated Support Staff (DSS) Program staff Financial aid staff Independent Living (IL) providers SETuP staff

Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program The ETV program provides financial assistance to eligible students to attend an accredited college or university. The maximum ETV award for the academic year is $5,000. Awards are determined based on unmet need. ETV can be used if attending college in another state.

ETV Running Start Students participating in the Running Start Program are eligible to receive up to $1,500 per academic year from ETV to help with: Books and supplies Fees Transportation: gas reimbursement or bus pass Process Complete the ETV Running Start application Submit class schedules at beginning of each term Submit unofficial transcripts at end of each term

ETV eligibility To be eligible for the ETV program, youth must meet at least one of the following criteria: 16 or older, currently in a dependency with Washington state or tribal court, in the custody of DSHS or ICW, and in foster care and aged out of care. Adopted or entered a relative dependency guardianship on or after age 16. If funds are accessed prior to age 21, youth may be eligible up to age 23.

ETV eligibility To be eligible for the ETV program, students must: Be eligible for financial aid and have unmet need. Be enrolled at least half-time (6 or more credits). Be taking at least one 100 level college course. Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher.

ETV application process It’s super easy! New Applicants: Complete the online application Renewal Applicants: Renewal applications are ed and mailed to returning students in December Deadline Dates Priority: January 1–April 30 Waitlist: May 1–July 31 Closes: July 31

QUESTIONS Shanna McBride Khris Blumer Education and Chafee ETV Chaffee ETV Program DSHS Children's Administration DSHS Children’s Administration (360) (360) Lynda Hall Senior Manager, Education Operations