Navigating the Educational System to Help Foster Youth. By Hannah Stombler-Levine.
As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in the city of San Francisco, Hannah has personally witnessed the immense need for advocates for foster youth in the educational system. Many people don’t know this, but depending on the county a person resides in, there is likely a program for individuals to become an Educational Rights Holder for a foster youth in that city. Often a volunteer position, these ERH are absolutely crucial to helping youth navigate the educational system and succeed academically. More importantly, having an ERH often helps youth who may struggle from behavioral or emotional issues avoid the school-to-prison pipeline, read more about that here.
Prior to becoming a CASA, Hannah Stombler-Levine was an Educational Rights Holder herself, here are some things she wishes she had known before starting the journey.
The Challenges
Educational Disruptions: Foster youth may experience frequent changes in placement, leading to disruptions in their education. Switching schools can result in missed classes, inconsistent curricula, and a lack of stability which affects their academic progress. Oftentimes when students switch schools, they have a hard time catching up, feel discouraged, or end up needing to repeat grades and fall behind with their peers socially. Some of the youth Hannah has worked with have reported that having to repeat a grade level left them feeling ‘stupid’ and ‘bad at school’.
Lack of Advocacy: Many foster youth may not have a consistent advocate in the educational system. This absence can contribute to a lack of communication between schools, caregivers, and the youth themselves, hindering the development of a supportive learning environment.
Unaddressed Trauma: Foster youth often carry the weight of past traumas, impacting their ability to focus and engage in a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, youth are more likely to engage in disruptive and often confrontational conflicts with peers, often resulting in disciplinary measures and suspension. Understanding and addressing these underlying issues is crucial for creating a conducive learning environment that may be causing learning difficulties.
Advice for Navigating the Educational System
Establish Consistent Communication: Foster youth benefit greatly from consistent communication between all providers involved in their education. As a CASA, Hannah works to bridge gaps between caregivers, teachers, and social workers to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the youth's educational needs.
Look for a Foster Youth Liaison: Most districts have a ‘Foster Youth Liaison’ who can be a great resource to help you navigate the educational system and help strengthen your advocacy with the school district directly.
Advocate for Stability: Stability is key for educational success. Encourage stable placements and minimize unnecessary school and placement changes. One youth Hannah advocated for experienced over 30 placements in 4 years - an unfortunately common experience for youth in the foster care system.
Understanding Educational Rights: Foster youth have rights within the educational system. Familiarize yourself with these rights and empower the youth to understand and assert them. Advocate for necessary accommodations and support services, such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans, if applicable.
Trauma-Informed Approaches: Recognize and address the impact of trauma on a foster youth's learning experience. Collaborate with educators to implement trauma-informed approaches in the classroom, creating an environment that fosters healing and academic success.
Encourage Extracurricular Involvement: Extracurricular activities provide foster youth with opportunities for skill-building, socialization, and a sense of belonging. Advocate for their participation in sports, arts, or other activities that align with their interests. Be advised that transportation is often a large obstacle for youth to participate in extracurricular activities.
Preparation for Transition: One of the most important parts of a foster youth’s life is when they are transitioning out of foster care into young adulthood. As a CASA, Hannah actively works on preparing foster youth for these transitions. This includes helping youth explore post-secondary education options, vocational training, and consistently helping them improve their independent living skills. Look for your county's ILSP office which can offer additional support for transitioning aged youth.
Conclusion
The educational journey of a foster youth is often plagued with ambiguity, inconsistency and confusion. As an Educational Rights Holder (ERH) within Court Appointed Special Advocates (more on that here), Hannah is devoted to advocating and overseeing the academic path of a youth in the child welfare system. The appointment of an educational rights holder serves a crucial purpose: to cultivate academic success and break the common cycle that leads vulnerable youth toward incarceration, commonly known as the school to prison pipeline (more on that here). By fostering open communication, understanding their rights, and addressing the impact of trauma, we can pave the way for a brighter academic future for every foster youth. Education is not just a right; it's a powerful tool for building a foundation of success and resilience.
