National Working Group

National Working Group on

Foster Care and Education

To ensure successful educational outcomes for children and youth in foster care across the country, 23 national organizations have joined together as the National Working Group on Foster Care and Education. The National Working Group on Foster Care and Education is facilitated by the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education.

Strategy

Collaboration is the key to achieving practice, policy, and cultural changes that support educational stability and achievement for children and youth in care and for those responsible for their well-being.

The working group heightens national awareness of the educational needs of children and youth in care, and promotes best and promising practices and reforms across educational, child welfare, and juvenile and family court systems.

Long-term goals

Educational stability for children and youth in foster care
Seamless educational transitions for children and youth when education changes do occur
High quality educational experiences, expectations and aspirations for young people in foster care
Greater national attention to the disparate educational outcomes for young people in foster care, particularly children and youth of color

Immediate priorities

Advance knowledge of emerging state policies and strategies designed to improve educational outcomes for children and youth in foster care.
Promote best and promising practices and cross-system collaboration.
Heighten visibility of the education issues for children and youth in foster care in publications, on the web, at key national conferences, and through training and technical assistance.
Disseminate members' tools and resources in the field.

Resources

Tools and Resources Postcard

Fostering Success in Education: National Factsheet on the Education Outcomes of Children in Foster Care: This 34-page document summarizes research and studies related to the education of children in foster care and highlights data driven promising interventions and programs.

Research Highlights of Education and Foster Care: This 2-page Data at a Glance excerpt from the National Factsheet summarizes national and regional fast facts about education and foster care.