Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation in Washington State

1. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation in Washington State Presented by: State Representative Ruth Kagi

2. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation These Wounds Won’t Heal by Joyce These wounds won’t heal Scars keep reopening No one seems to hear what I have to say I still can’t handle the pain I don’t trust those around me Trapped behind locked doors Paralyzed with fears but YOU HOLD THE KEY.

3. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation • 2001 Study: The Catalyst for Legislation • 59 percent of foster youth complete high school by the end of grade 12. • Twice as many foster youth repeat a grade, change schools mid-year, or enroll in special education programs. • Foster youth score 15 to 20 percentage points below non-foster youth on statewide tests.

4. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation Foster students score below non-foster students on IOWA achievement tests National Percentile Rank

5. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation SB 6709: Education Stability Workgroup • Determine status of school placement. • Recommended a legislative mandate.

6. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation House Bill 1058: “It is the policy of the state of Washington that, whenever practical and in the interest of the child, children placed into foster care shall remain enrolled in the schools they were attending at the time they entered foster care.” -RCW Chapter 74.13

7. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation • Strategies: • Transfer of education records; • Address education stability at shelter care. • Recruit foster parents in areas with high need. • Training and service planning; • Transportation needs. HB 1058: Coordination by the Oversight Committee

8. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation HB 1058: Communication with Social Workers, Caregivers and Schools

9. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation HB 1058: Communication and coordination with the Courts • Courts and social workers address education stability at shelter care hearings. • Judges ask social workers how the court can help maintain stability and school success.

10. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation HB 1058: Treehouse Education Advocacy Program Direct Advocacy: keeping foster youth enrolled and on track for their grade level; ensuring disciplinary action is appropriate and special education needs are met. Consultation: coaching youth, caregivers and social workers on addressing obstacles or conflicts at school. Information and referral: providing information on resource or programs that may help youth with educational goals.

11. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation Key components for achieving education stability • Strong, committed advocacy organizations. • A legislative champion. • Clear statement of policy in statute. • Cross-system collaboration and information sharing.

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13. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation On-time Graduation Rates for Washington State Foster Youth

14. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation House Bill 1079 shifts focus to higher education • Oversight Committee expanded to include Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), foster youth and foster parents. • Foster youth given special consideration for State Need Grants.

15. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation Passport to College Promise Scholarship “The purpose of the program is: • To encourage current and former foster care youth to prepare for, attend, and successfully complete higher education; and • To provide current and former foster care youth with the educational planning, information, institutional support, and direct financial resources necessary for them to succeed in higher education.” – RCW Title 28B

16. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation Passport to College Promise Scholarship • Institutions receive a $500 incentive payment for student retention. • 50 institutions participate. Direct services provided by incentive payment: • Emergency funding • Medical assistance • Tutoring • Mentoring • Meals • Housing • Financial incentives for meeting academic goals • School supplies • Counseling • Transportation assistance • And more

17. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation Passport to College Promise Scholarship • Cross-agency data exchange increases identification of eligible students. • More than 1,300 students determined eligible using this process. Foster Youth

18. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation Passport to College Promise Scholarship • College Success Foundation contracted to provide: • Regional Passport to College Summits – train professionals on improving education outcomes. • Direct services for youth on campus.

19. Promoting Education Stability For Foster Youth Through Legislation Additional higher education programs HB 2002: Foster Care to 21 • Up to 50 foster youth per year remain in care until age 21 while enrolled in college or vocational training. • Other services available: Transitional Living Skills program, ETV, Passport, and the Governor’s Scholarship.

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21. Thank you.