1. Education Services for Youth in Care Presenter: Kelli Stocker, LMHC Guidance Counselor on Special Assignment Hillsborough County Public Schools: Florida

2. Banked, and Connected to “permanent” supportive adults [Family]
A Young Person who is
“Connected by 25”
Is Educated, Housed,
Banked, and Connected to “permanent” supportive adults [Family]

3. Creation of Guidance Counselor
In 2005, Cby25 collaborated with Hillsborough County Public Schools to establish and fund guidance position
Position funded by Lumina Foundation grant for two years
Cby25 Initiative

4. High School Guidance Counselor remains employee of Hillsborough County Public Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools now funds position; local child welfare agency (Hillsborough Kids) and Eckerd Family Foundation fund Middle School Guidance Counselor
Cby25 Initiative

5. Role of Foster Care Guidance Counselor
Assist with enrollment and maintaining students at schools of origin
Support students when transitioning to new schools
Establish system to monitor and track student data
Meet individually with students at school for academic planning, support, and consultation
Cby25 Initiative

6. Guidance Role
Liaison between school system, student, guardians, and child welfare system
Resource for school personnel in regards to child welfare system
Resource for child welfare personnel and guardians to assist in understanding and navigating the school system and academic requirements
Cby25 Initiative

7. Guidance Role
Provide training to various stakeholders in student’s life: educators, child welfare personnel, guardians, court personnel
Assist with post-secondary goals: planning, applications, and Financial Aid applications (FAFSA)
Cby25 Initiative

8. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
Hillsborough County Public Schools interprets FERPA to state that the foster parent is the student’s parent (guardian), not the local child welfare agency
Foster parents sign a Release of Records annually to allow Guidance Counselors to share specific written information with the child welfare agency, in accordance with FERPA
Cby25 Initiative

9. Special Needs and Challenges
Aging out of care at 18, still in high school
Transportation across a large county is not always available
Cby25 Initiative

10. Successful System Outcomes
Established Middle School Guidance Counselor Position
On-site, underage ABE/GED program for youth in care/aged out of care
School District DJJ Transition Department housed in same office
Principals Handbook (enrollment procedures and recommendations)
Student Registration Form
Cby25 Initiative

11. Successful System Outcomes
School Social Workers trained as school liaisons
Transportation services
Eckerd Family Foundation Scholarship Fund: club fees, athletic fees, drivers ed fees, senior yearbooks, etc.
Collaboration with School District Information Systems for data compilation and access to current student progress (EdLine)
Cby25 Initiative

12. Keys to Success
School District employee: knowledgeable of school system; welcomed and trusted by schools
Provided child welfare system account and access to case manager information
Recognized and trusted by both systems
Cby25 Initiative

13. Kelli Stocker@sdhc.k12.fl.us Ken.Gaughan@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Thank You!
For more information:
Kelli
Diane M.
Unified Family Court: