Advancing the Education of Students in Foster Care GUIDANCE FOR TEXAS SCHOOLS

Train the Trainer Considerations: Texas Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide The Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide is a foundational element and beneficial tool for all foster care and education training efforts. The guide contains relevant information, policies, practices, tips, and resources on numerous topics necessary for advancing the education of students in foster care. The guide contains 13 research-based content areas. Topic-based trainings and opportunities for LEA’s to engage and take a deeper dive into different content areas and concepts is encouraged. Incorporating information from the guide in trainings for reference, discussion and planning is recommended. Having the guide available for participants in hard-copy format to highlight, cross reference, use and reference is encouraged.

Train the Trainer Considerations: How to use this toolkit A comprehensive PowerPoint is included so that presenter(s) have information on a variety of foster care related topics. Information may be broken down into sections and integrated in various formats. Consider how the material may be adapted into smaller segments and/or topical areas based on the audience, length, time and format of your training. Arrows with chapter references and page numbers where similar and related material in the Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide is included throughout the presentation for presenter to reference and cross-link information. Identify ways to encourage audience participation, engagement, and application of the material(s). Providing time to identify questions, challenges, and solutions are critical for application throughout the presentation. When addressing the Federal & State laws consider how to promote awareness and support districts to address these mandates. There are numerous state-laws that address students in foster care. Participants may be unfamiliar with these provisions. Incorporating opportunities to discuss, brainstorm, strategize around how the individual provisions may be implemented locally is recommended. Supporting LEA’s in developing effective processes, as well as trouble-shooting challenges, leveraging existing resources and identifying possible solutions is encouraged.

Train the Trainer Considerations: How to use this toolkit When addressing the Foster Care Liaison position and “12-Key Activities” incorporate opportunities to discuss, brainstorm, strategize around how these activities may be implemented locally. Emphasis on effective enrollment, withdrawal and transfers are encouraged and foundational activities for liaisons. Supporting LEA’s in developing effective processes, as well as trouble-shooting challenges, leveraging existing resources and identifying possible solutions is encouraged. Presenter notes are included on slides throughout the presentation. Consider how trainings can engage youth and alumni from foster care. Having a speaker and/or panel of students and alumni from foster care is an important and dynamic element to effective trainings on foster care. A list of video’s that maybe used in trainings to engage audiences, promote discussion, and increase understanding are provided on slide five. A comprehensive toolkit with additional resources and information is included on the LiveBinder link in the ProjectShare folder. Visit for more foster care and education information, tools, and resources

Train the Trainer Considerations: Video Endless Dreams, Casey Family Programs (introductory video for educators, 15:05 min) Confronting Stereotypes of Youth in Foster Care, Catholic Family Center (addressing school related stereotypes, 11:44 min) (p. 81 resource guide) Foster More Stories: Davies (student testimony – my coach cared, 1:26 min) Foster More Stories: Kevin (student testimony – she showed me love, 1:28 min) Foster More Stories: Lynn (student testimony – on track, 1:40 min) Foster More Stories: Jose (student testimony – he was there, 1:43 min) Foster More Stories: Julianna (student testimony – my teacher is my mentor, 1:25 min) Culture of Foster Care Postcard Slide Show, Foster Care Alumni of America (foster care alumni insight about foster care, 10:23 min) Aging Out, PBS Documentary, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities (documentary of youth who age-out of foster care, 2 part-video, 10:11 min, 11:47 min) (p. 102 resource guide) Part (10:11 min) Part (11:47 min)

Train the Trainer Considerations: Table of Contents Introduction – Education Data – What is foster care? – Who is Eligible? Defining Foster Care Eligibility in Texas – Documentation – Verifying Texas DFPS Conservatorship – Where do youth in foster care live? – Who is involved in the life of a student in foster care? – Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) – DFPS & ESC Regions – Introduction & Education Specialists – Court Information – Education Committee – Texas Blueprint Foster Care Impact – Education – Foster Care Impacts – High-Mobility – Long-term impacts: Outcomes at 26 Federal and State Law Federal Law – Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 – School Meal Eligibility State Law – Consider how to promote awareness – Promote High School Completion – Promote Post-Secondary – Transition Assistance

Train the Trainer Considerations: Table of Contents- Continued Foster Care Liaison – Chapter 5 Resource Guide – LEA Sign up information – Foster Care LEA Liaison list – Foster Care Liaison, Now What? – 12 Key Activities – Engaging external stakeholders Data Collection – PEIMS and Students in Foster Care: – Overview – Chapter 6 of Student Success Resource Guide – Confidentiality & Information Sharing – Communicating ‘need- to-know’ information – Identifying students in foster care for the purpose of PEIMS: Who’s eligible? – Acceptable Documentation – Understanding Acceptable Documentation – DFPS Education Decision Maker E Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide: – TEA Press Release – Introduction – Content – Where to get the guide – Guide layout – Graphs/Charts – Youth/Alumni Voice Additional TEA Resources: – Contact Info – Website – Video links – TAA Letters: Foster Care Additional Resources : – Websites Next Steps

Presentation Goals Introduction to Foster Care Foster Care Impact – Education Federal & State Law Foster Care Liaison Data Collection – PEIMS Foster Care & Student Success Resource Guide TEA Resources Additional Resources