Foster Student Support

Foster Care Program

Foster care means twenty-four hours per day temporary, substitute care for the child placed away from the child’s parents or guardians, and for whom DSHS or a licensed or certified child placing agency has placement and care responsibility. This includes any out-of-home care (including a relative or suitable person), so long as the child is under the placement and care responsibility of DSHS, and placed in out-of-home care by DSHS.

Schools, child welfare agencies, communities, and families must work together to provide the equitable opportunities, specialized services, and useful supports that are essential to improve the educational outcomes for students in foster care. A foster care liaison is appointed at the district level to partner with school staff, foster parents, social workers, state agencies, and advocates as they work to support the whole child through evidence-based, best-practices and collaboration.

Students in Foster Care have the right to:

• Attend school in the area they are currently living.
• When in the best interest of the child, continue at the school they attended (referred to as the school of origin) before they entered care, or the school in which they were last enrolled.
• Get help with school enrollment and support from district foster care liaison in obtaining school records and coordinating services
• Transportation to and from their school of origin.
• Free school meals.
• Get services for English Language Learners, special education, and/or highly capable education.
• Receive tutoring services focusing on academic assistance.
• Get support with on-time grade progression and graduation.

Enrollment

To enroll in the foster care program, please visit the neighborhood school where the student is residing.

Resources

Treehouse Provides academic support for foster care children and youth