FOSTERING STUDENT SUCCESS Successful Interagency Collaborations to Improve Educational Outcomes for Children in Foster

1. FOSTERING STUDENT SUCCESS Successful Interagency Collaborations to Improve Educational Outcomes for Children in Foster Care November 4, 2011 Debbie Winters, Dependency Court Liaison School Board of Broward County

2. Broward County Public Schools • 6th largest school district in the nation • Over 257,000 Pre-K-12 students from 163 countries, speaking 55 languages • 45,000 ESE students • 38% Black, 30% White, 26% Hispanic • 298 schools, including 68 charter schools

3. Broward County Child Welfare • 1,000 CPS investigations a month • 10-12% result in out-of-home care • 2700 children under supervision, with about 900 residing in licensed care • 61% Black, 30% White, 7% Hispanic • 580 foster care students enrolled in Pre-K through adult education

4. Foster Care Population • Retained at 3x that of the general population • 20% were proficient in reading in 2002, increased to 45% in 2011 • 87% in school on first day in 2002, increased to 96% in 2011 • 73% on Free Meals in 2002, increased to 98% in 2010 • 25% are ESE upon entry into care • 45% of given population is ESE (over 3x the general population)

5. Collaboration January 1998- Dialogues begin between community advocates, child welfare and school district regarding potential class action lawsuit related to unmet mental health needs of youth in foster care. Were ESE services also being compromised? November 1998- Interagency Standing Committee established by Superintendent of Schools January 1999- First interagency agreement signed identifying 5 major workgroups: 1) information sharing, 2) educational stability, 3) individualized services, 4) ESE identification/ surrogate parents, and 5) reducing registration barriers

6. Evolution • 1999-2000 • SB staff co-located at CW intake center • Transportation services initiated • FC designees appointed at every school • FC information form completed at registration • 2000-2001 • Court liaison staff added • Independent evaluation of agreement • 2001-2002 • Cross agency training/manuals • 2002-2003 • Community-Based Care services initiated

7. The Evolution Continues… 2003-2004 • Privatization process of all CW services completed • FS 39.0016 “Education of abused, neglected and abandoned children” implemented 2004-05 • “Getting to Know You” • CBC develops full-time Education Specialist position 2005-2006 • Local WorkForce Development agency added as partner • Revised research protocol to address student outcomes • Automated information exchange 2006-07 • Research study initiated • Automated transportation request system • Streamlined Free and Reduced meal processes

8. The Evolution Continues… 2007-2008 • Enhanced district database for intervention coding for use by Foster Care Designees 2008-09 • Released findings from our local research study of the academic performance of students in foster care • Added foster care “flag” to web-based ESE program management system 2009-2010 • Added a Guidance Counselor position to assist with youth transitioning to adulthood 2010-11 • Added Department of Juvenile Justice and Agency for Persons with Disabilities to the agreement • Developed mechanisms to address categorical eligibility for free meals

9. Interagency Agreement Components • Philosophical Perspective • Dedicated Personnel • Sharing of Information • Professional Development • Educational Stability/Transportation • Parental Involvement/Surrogate Parents • Early Intervention • Transition Planning • Evaluation

10. Dependency Court Liaison • Linkage between school system, ChildNet and the dependency court • Attends shelter hearings/judicial reviews providing educational reports as requested • Tracks missing or incomplete information forms • Processes special transportation requests • Tracks/monitors court ordered educational actions, including psycho-educational testing • school district champion for the cause

11. Foster Care Designees • Serves as the primary contact at school for the caseworker • Reviews student’s records and documents interventions • Collaborates with other school personnel (data processor, psychologist, ESE specialist, school social worker, etc.) • Communicates with ChildNet/agency staff, parent and caregiver • Communicates with other designees to facilitate transitions • Maintains a confidential folder on foster care students • Consults with district staff as needed

12. Educational Services Specialist Consults with caseworkers, foster parents and providers re: educational concerns Participates in school-based conferences, IEP meetings etc., as needed Facilitates training on educational and school related issues Develops and promotes collaboration between child welfare and educational personnel

13. Professional Development • All training is done as a partnership, both BCPS and ChildNet • Detailed manuals for cross-system training • 2-hour “intro to education” orientation training for new caseworkers (Topics: effects of abuse/neglect on education, NCLB, state standards/testing, ESE overview, parent involvement) incorporating components of Casey’s Endless Dreams curriculum • 2-hour education “processes and procedures” pre-service training for both new caseworkers and school foster care designees (Topics: interagency relationship, student records, information sharing, transportation, early intervention, transition)

14. Professional Development (cont’d) • Annual Resource Fair for CW staff showcasing various BCPS departments and programs • Annual update trainings for all CW staff, school-based personnel, GAL staff/volunteers, state’s legal services, shelter/group homes, and other system of care personnel • Bi-annual (minimum) full-day education workshops for foster parents • All BCPS parenting workshop information provided to CW staff

15. Transportation • ChildNet shall attempt to place students in foster care homes within or closest to their home schoolboundaries • The School System will make every effort to provide transportation • Automated transportation request system-forwards requests on the upcoming hour • Matrix for transportation feasibility provided

16. Information Sharing • FC information form provided to school at time of registration and for any changes of information • Weekly list of active and exiting foster care children provided to BCPS • Hidden “flag” placed on student record to assist with student services and categorical eligibility for free meals • Weekly student demographic data sent to ChildNet • Identifier codes for foster care designees’ direct service to FC population for purpose of accountability/research.

17. Educational & Case Planning Educational summary on all children the day they are sheltered Confidential folder maintained by school’s foster care designee Specially developed referral process/tracking for Child Find referrals Detailed educational review with recommendations on all 13 year olds Collaboration on Transition IEP and FC Independent Living Case Plan Court Liaison attends shelter and judicial review hearings to facilitate stability/services and provide educational summary for case planning

18. Debbie Winters, Dependency Court Liaison debbie.winters@browardschools.com 754-321-2122 Fax 754-321-2129 http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/STUDENTSUPPORT/SSD/html/dd.htm