Educational Stability for Pennsylvania's Children and Youth in Foster Care

May 2022

May is National Foster Care Month!

Every May, we recognize the important role that supportive, caring adults play in the lives of children and youth in foster care during National Foster Care Month. The 2022 theme is “Relative and Kin Connections: Keeping Families Strong,” which aims to raise awareness about strengthening relative and kin connections, and the positive impact these relationships have on maintaining family ties for children and youth in foster care. We hope you will take a few minutes to read more about National Foster Care Month as well as other news and reminders here in Pennsylvania. Lastly, thank you for all you do to support children and youth in foster care all year long.

Happy National Foster Care Month!

Matthew Butensky, Youth Development Managing Coordinator, State Education Agency Foster Care Point of Contact, Center for Schools and Communities 

Jillian Schreib, Human Services Analyst Supervisor, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF)

Key Facts About Relative and Kin Connections

• In 2020 there were over 407,000 children and youth in foster care nationally, and 34 percent were placed with relatives.
• When children cannot remain safely in their home, placement with relatives and kin - both formally through the child welfare system and informally through family arrangements – can increase stability, reduce trauma, and help children maintain a sense of family, belonging and identity.
• Investing in culturally appropriate services and supports for relative and kin caregivers may help reinforce a child’s cultural identity and traditions.
• Relational permanency is fundamental to the well-being of children and youth. Maintaining relationships with relatives and kin can help provide a sense of belonging for young people in care.
• PA KinConnector provides guidance, advice, and support for grandparents raising grandchildren and other relative and non-relative kinship caregivers. PA KinConnector supports are available online at Kinconnector.org or by phone at 1-866-546-2111.

"Raising grandkids is busy and overwhelming. Having the help to navigate paperwork, uncovering resources in the community, and just walking alongside you as you embark on the journey is priceless."

"Many kinship families are not blood relatives but the bond and sense of familiarity they create makes them family.”

Did you know? 

In 1988, President Reagan issued the first Presidential proclamation that established May as National Foster Care Month. 

To learn more about National Foster Care Month and how you can get involved in your community, visit the official National Foster Care Month website.

National Foster Care Month Webinars

It's a Journey! Helping Children and Youth in Foster Care Reach Their Potential

Thursday, May 12, 2022, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET (U.S. and Canada) | Virtual

Motivational speaker and Founder of Clever Jam Communications Jamerika Haynes-Lewis will show how professionals can best support children and youth on their education journey. Using personal experiences and storytelling, Jamerika will describe the unique circumstances youth in foster care face and practical tips to help them develop and meet their goals. As a former foster youth, college graduate, business owner, and current national pageant titleholder, Jamerika will share her personal story on the challenges she faced and what led her to achieving her dreams in education and beyond.

Presenter: Jamerika Haynes-Lewis, Founder, Clever Jam Communications, Seattle, Washington

A native of Tacoma, Washington, Jamerika Haynes-Lewis has more than 10 years of experience as a journalist and advocate for children in foster care. While growing up in foster care, Jamerika was determined to have a different life than the one she experienced. She put herself through college earning a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Washington State University. As the owner of Clever Jam Communications, Jamerika offers strategic communications guidance, motivational speaking, and facilitation. Currently she is USA Ambassador 2021 Ms. national queen through the USA Ambassador Pageant. Her platform is “A Chance to Succeed: Empowering Youth in Foster Care.” Additionally, she is a commercial actress and model. 

Skill Builder - Learn the Lingo of Pennsylvania’s Foster Care System

Friday, May 20, 2022, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. ET (U.S. and Canada) | Virtual 

Let's demystify common terminology and procedures of the Pennsylvania child welfare and foster care system. Presented by Alyssa “AK” Holstay, Esq., attorney and legal training specialist with Voce/SWAN Prime Contract, the session will include discussions related to the relevant functions of individuals working with children and youth in foster care and associated vocabulary with the greater child welfare system. Attendees will receive unique insight into typical lingo and how its application is important to educators assisting students in foster care.

Facilitated by Matthew Butensky, Youth Development Managing Coordinator, Center for Schools and Communities, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania

Presenter: Alyssa “AK” Holstay, Esq., Attorney and Legal Training Specialist with Voce on behalf of the SWAN Prime Contract, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Alyssa H. ("AK") Holstay, Esq., currently serves as a legal training specialist with Voce through the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) Prime Contract. In this role, Alyssa authors the monthly legal report and designs and delivers training to the full spectrum of professionals in the child welfare system, concentrating her efforts in the Central and South Central regions of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining SWAN, Alyssa practiced several areas of law including criminal and family law. She also served as a parents' attorney in child welfare matters at both the trial and appellate court levels. Alyssa is a graduate of Shippensburg University and the Widener Commonwealth School of Law.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session(s).

Announcing Act 1 of 2022

Act 1 of 2022, known as “Assisting Students Experiencing Education Instability” was approved by Governor Wolf earlier this year. The Act strengthens school supports and increases education equity to foster academic achievement and graduation for students experiencing one or more changes in school entity enrollment during a single school year. This includes children and youth in foster care. The Pennsylvania Department of Education, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, will issue guidance for local education agencies prior to the 2022-2023 school year. Guidance to County Children and Youth Agencies (CCYA) is also forthcoming.   

TAKE ACTION

Coming Soon - Foster Care Point of Contact Survey

Deadline: July 1, 2022

Pennsylvania K-12 education Local Education Agency (LEA) Foster Care Points of Contact (POC) are asked to complete an annual school year survey reflecting on their work and experiences providing educational stability to children and youth in foster care. The survey asks LEAs to review and reflect on information around topics such as Best Interest Determinations (BIDs), transportation, enrollment of students, challenges, and successes. POCs can expect to receive access to the online survey in May and will be asked to complete the survey by July 1, 2022. 

For the 2021-2022 school year, a tool was developed to help LEA POCs track important information related to school stability. POCs are encouraged to use the tool throughout the school year, which will also assist in completing the annual survey.

Identification of Students in Foster Care to Local Education Agencies 

The Pennsylvania Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) recently issued a memo to advise County Children and Youth Agencies (CCYA) about information sharing with LEAs. CCYAs are encouraged to maintain continued communication and collaboration with LEAs to support students while maintaining that confidential information is kept confidential. CCYAs are advised to utilize the Identification of Students in Foster Care to School Points of Contact form to notify LEAs of a student’s entry into foster care or change in foster care placement. The form should be provided to LEA points of contact.  

If you have any questions or concerns related to the memo or form please contact RA-PWOCYFEDUCATION@pa.gov.

Need to update your Point of Contact/ Education Liaison?

• Review your Point of Contact/Education Liaison contact information.
• Send any updates to PA Foster Care.

NATIONAL NEWS

Foster Care to College

Application Deadline: Dec. 31, 2022

The application for the 2022-2023 Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG) Program is now open. This federally funded program offers grants to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an eligible postsecondary institution. Students with experience in foster care seeking Pennsylvania’s college tuition and fee waiver, the Pennsylvania Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver (FosterEd) Program, must apply for the Chafee ETG Program.

For a helpful college application timeline to guide Pennsylvania youth who have experienced the foster care system, visit this resource from the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice and Research. 

For a comprehensive guide to supporting higher education access and success for youth with experience in foster care in PA visit this resource from the Juvenile Law Center and the Hope Center for College, Community and Justice.  

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING/ TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

Save the Date!

2022 Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference 

Tuesday, Sept. 27 –Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 | Virtual and In Person (Location TBD)*

The Paving the Way to Educational Success Conference provides pre-K-12 educators and youth-serving professionals a variety of workshops, speakers, and other learning experiences to equip them in their roles working with students experiencing homelessness or in foster care.

At this time, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, the conference planning committee is preparing to offer attendees both in-person and virtual attendance opportunities. The 2021 conference feedback indicated that some attendees prefer the accessibility and convenience of a virtual conference and others value an in-person experience.

Stay tuned for a full announcement including the location for in-person activities this fall. 

*Select sessions will be available online.