Foster Youth Services Program Resources

American Bar Association Toolkit
Developed by the American Bar Association, this Toolkit provides information for educators on the required elements and best practices regarding school stability for foster youth as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act. 

Assembly Bill 167 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Common questions about the implementation of the Assembly Bill (AB) 167 graduation requirements for students in foster care who transfer in grades eleven or twelve.

Assembly Bill 379
Legislation to amend Sections 48853, 48853.5, 49069.5, 51225.1, and 51225.2 of, and to amend the heading of Chapter 5.5 (commencing with Section 48850) of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the California Education Code (EC), relating to foster youth.

Assembly Bill 490 (PDF)
Legislation that addresses many of the barriers to equal educational opportunities for foster children and youth.

Assembly Bill 490 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Developed by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force to clarify foster youth's educational rights pursuant to AB 490.

Assembly Bill 854
Legislation that restructures the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program and places new requirements on current and prospective grantees effective in the 2015–16 fiscal year.

California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care
The charge of the California Blue Ribbon Commission on Children in Foster Care is to provide recommendations to the California Judicial Council on the ways in which the courts and their partners can improve safety, permanency, well-being, and fairness outcomes for children and families.

California Foster Youth Education Task Force
The California Foster Youth Education Task Force is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for foster youth in California by bringing together subject matter experts representing more than 35 organizations and agencies to engage in cross-systems collaboration. Membership is open to anyone interested in promoting improved educational opportunities and successes for California's foster youth.

California Legislature Bills Information
The full text of bills, resolutions, and constitutional amendments, and their status, history, votes, analyses, and veto messages are available.

California Youth Connection
Current and former foster youth working to improve foster care, educate the public, and policy makers.

Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators (PDF)
Developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Schools Committee, this Toolkit provides information for educators on the psychological and behavioral impact of trauma on children.

Child Welfare Services (CWS)/Case Management System
A statewide tool that supports an effective Child Welfare System of services.

Community College Foundation
Independent living program, campus peer mentoring program, Early Start to emancipation program.

COVID-19 Foster Youth Resources
Information and resources regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and California's Foster Youth.

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund Clearinghouse on Foster Youth and Transition
This Clearinghouse offers a variety of selected resources to help foster parents, kincare providers, child welfare workers, educators, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and other professionals to provide effective services and support for children with disabilities in foster care.

Foster Care Education Fact Sheets
Developed by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force, these fact sheets summarize the laws pertaining to foster youth in California.

Foster Youth Education Rights
Developed by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force, this summarizes the EC sections pertaining to foster youth.

FosterEd Connect
Free education resource is staffed by a panel of education experts who can answer programmatic issues with education laws that impact children and youth in foster care.

Foundation for California Community Colleges Foster Youth Services
The Foundation supports programs for foster youth students’ academic and emotional needs.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid
U.S. Department of Education free application for federal student aid.

Homeless Children and Youths Resources
The McKinney-Vento Act includes foster youth awaiting placement in a foster or group home in the definition of homeless.

Multi Tiered System of Supports
A framework that aligns Response to Instruction and Intervention with the Common Core State Standards and the systems necessary for academic, behavior, and social success.

National Center for Youth Law
A private, non-profit law office serving the legal needs of children and their families.

Non-Regulatory Guidance: Ensuring Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care (PDF)
U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Guidance on the Foster Care Provisions in Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015

Reopening School for Students in Foster Care and Students Experiencing Homelessness
This letters reminds local educational agencies that when reopening schools, special populations such as students in foster care and children and youth experiencing homelessness must be considered.

Tribal Foster Youth Guidance Document(DOCX)
The Tribal Foster Youth Guidance document was designed to provide guidance and support to local educational agencies regarding the addition of tribal foster youth to the Local Control Funding Formula definition of foster youth. The document provides guidance and resources around data collection and reporting requirements, guidance on how to ensure these youth are identified at the local level, and links to tools on a number of different resources and web pages.

University of California, Berkeley Center for Social Services Research
Timely and useful data about children in the California CWS.