LCFF Priority 10 Statement of Model Practices

Collaboration and Capacity Building

Desired Results: County offices of education (COE) establish ongoing collaboration with child welfare services, probation agencies, local educational agencies (LEAs), and other organizations to coordinate services for foster children, establish a mechanism for efficient transfer of health and education records, and determine the proper educational placement of foster youth. COEs support other LEAs in the implementation of school-based support infrastructure for foster youth intended to minimize changes in school placement and improve educational outcomes for foster youth.

Model Practices: Model practices for COEs to coordinate Foster Youth Services may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Contribute to the design and implementation of plans to improve student outcomes, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), contracts and agreements for data and information sharing;
• Provide information and support to LEAs regarding the unique educational needs of foster youth through professional development and technical assistance;
• Assess the needs of the community through focus groups, surveys or other statistical methods to determine gaps in service delivery among LEAs in the county;
• Utilize a county-level Executive Advisory Council to serve as the decision making body to assist with the planning and delivery of support services to foster youth;
• Increase collaboration among schools and child welfare agencies under the Every Student Succeeds Act related to school stability and the provision of transportation for foster youth;
• Effectively engage in collaborative processes, capacity building, and other mechanisms for leveraging resources.

Direct Services to Foster Youth

Desired Results: Educational support services are provided to foster youth in LEAs or COE operated programs based on the needs of the LEA as identified through a collaborative process.

Model Practices: Model practices for the delivery of direct services may include but are not limited to, the following:

• Establish agreements with Foster Youth Services Coordinating (FYSC) Programs, schools, or community partners that commit resources to direct services for foster youth in schools.
• Provide direct educational services, such as case management, transition services, mental health support, trauma informed services and educational planning for foster youth.
• Ensure high-quality early care and educational services, including preschool, to foster youth.

Policy and Protocol Development

Desired Results: Establish policies and practices that will facilitate the timely and appropriate educational placement for foster youth.

Develop educational planning protocols for foster youth and coordinate the timely transfer of records and information to ensure all educational partners have access to accurate information regarding the unique needs of foster youth. Coordinate services with institutions of higher education, including colleges and universities, post-secondary training programs, and adult education programs.

Model Practices: Model practices may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Establish policies and procedures to ensure the timely, stable, and appropriate educational placement including postsecondary training program placement;
• Establish mechanisms for electronic sharing of data regarding education of foster youth that protect confidentiality;
• Establish education planning protocols for foster youth;
• Help foster youth and Education Right Holders understand the rights of foster youth.
• Design and implement infrastructure for school based supports to stabilize school placement and improve student outcomes.
• Develop formalized information sharing agreements with LEAs, child welfare, the courts, and other organizations to support the delivery of proper educational placement and supports.
• Ensure that foster youth who are not making expected academic progress are assessed for a higher level of educational services and supports.

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