1. 1 Education Keep the Foster Children in their “School of Origin”

2. 2 When... we remove any Child from his/her parent’s home, we ALREADY KNOW that we MUST give preference to 1. Placing the Child with either the non-custodial parent or a relative. 2. Placing siblings together.

3. 3 During the placement decision process, we also need to consider, whenever possible, keeping the Child in his/her School of Origin.

4. 4 The school which the Child attends is an important decision component in the search for a placement.

5. 5 Why? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

6. 6 Because... Students who switch schools frequently... score lower on standardized tests. Studies show that they scored 20 points lower than students who had not changed schools!

7. 7 Children take 4-6 months to recover academically after changing schools. ? ? What’s going on?

8. 8 And... Moves during high school greatly diminish the likelihood of the Youth achieving graduation.

9. 9 To minimize these challenges for our Children and to enable our Social Workers to maintain school consistency, California enacted... AB 490

10. 10 A PowerPoint is available on LAKids to further explain how to AB 490 benefits foster children

11. 11 … So … What do CSW’s need to do?

12. 12 Ask Parents... What school their Child attends What school programs the Child was enrolled in What school they want their Child to attend Then... -- * Document in CWS/CMS (…so it will populate into the Health & Education Passport.) * Document in the court report

13. 13 Talk to the Child... - About his/her school & concerns - His/her interests, relationships with teachers & school friends - Ask if he/she wants to continue in the school of origin Then... -- * Document in CWS/CMS Contacts * Document in the court report

14. 14 If at all possible, Find a placement within the Child’s current school community.

15. 15 BUT … if the Child truly can’t stay in his/her School of Origin & must transfer, document the reasons in CWS/CMS & in the court report. The Child can be IMMEDIATELY enrolled in the new school!

16. 16 Then... Contact the Child’s New School District & ask for the Local Educational Agency Liaison * The LEA Liaisons can... - Ensure that students enroll in school - Ensure that a Foster Child is identified for services - Assist in the transfer of school records - Resolve enrollment and educational service disputes

17. 17 - Remember - Foster Children are well served if they stay in their schools of origin.