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Liaisons Supporting Students Living in Foster Care

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Title I, Part A as enacted through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that traditional public districts and community schools designate a point of contact or “foster care education liaison” to support students in foster care.

Foster care education liaisons support the identification, enrollment, and access to academic and non-academic services for students in foster care.

The local foster care education liaison:

Coordinates with the local custodial agency point of contact,
Creates and maintains local processes and procedures for best interest determinations that are inclusive of the student placed into foster care and properly documented,
Ensures proper identification of foster care students in EMIS based on change in placement for child,
Facilitates records transfer and immediate enrollment and data sharing,
Develops and coordinates local transportation procedures,
Manages disputes related to best interest determination and transportation cost,
Provides professional development for school personnel to help identify, support, and engage students in foster care, and
Supports the full engagement and participation in school activities for all students in foster care, in accordance with the Foster Youth Bill of Rights.

Ohio’s Foster Care Checklist can be used to support these duties.

Enrollment and Best Interest Decisions for Educational Stability contains information schools and districts can use as they collaborate with custodial agencies to provide immediate enrollment when needed and educational stability for students in foster care.
Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Joint Foster Care Guidance provides information for districts and local child welfare agencies to meet the educational needs of students placed in foster care.
Ensuring the Educational Stability of Students Living in Foster Care Flowchart details the order and process custodial agencies and districts follow to ensure school stability.
Educational Stability of Students Living in Foster Care FAQ answers frequent questions about access to services and supports for students in foster care.

Last Modified: 4/25/2024 11:19:00 AM