Ensuring Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth: - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Ensuring Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth: Transportation Procedures

October 26, 2016

Today’s Presenters

Carmen M. Medina, Chief Student Services Division, Bureau of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction PA Department of Education Matthew D. Butensky, SEA POC Youth Development Coordinator Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth Center for Schools and Communities

2

Today’s Discussion

1 2 3

Provide an overview of the federal framework for ensuring educational stability for children in foster care. Review key Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements for children in foster care. Explain the transportation procedures required by ESSA for children in foster care. Review next steps and responsibilities in order to fulfill ESSA requirements by December 10, 2016.

4

3

Three Key Takeaways

1 2 3

ESSA establishes, enhances, or formalizes collaborative working relationships between county children and youth agencies (CCYAs) and local education agencies (LEAs). By December 10, 2016, LEAs should designate a foster care point of contact (POC) for CCYAs to fulfill the educational stability requirements outlined in ESSA. By December 10, 2016, LEAs must collaborate with CCYAs to develop and implement clear written procedures for how transportation will be provided, arranged, and funded for the duration of a child’s time in foster care.

4

Key Resource: Federal Guidance

• On June 23, 2016, the U.S. Departments of Education (ED)

and Health & Human Services (HHS) issued joint non- regulatory guidance on ESSA’s provisions for Ensuring Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care.

• Today’s webinar relies heavily on this guidance, and we’ll

mark specific areas of the guidance and flag other relevant federal resources using this marker:

5

See joint guidance for more information about ESSA’s provisions for Best Interest Determinations (page 11). More information is also available on ED’s Students in Foster Care resource page.

Education Outcomes for Foster Youth

Foster youth represent one of the most vulnerable student subgroups in the United States.

• Approximately 270,000 of the 415,000 children in foster

care were in elementary and secondary schools (2014).

• 65% graduation rate compared to 86% graduation rate.
• A study found that 75% of foster youth made an

unscheduled school change in one school year compared to 40% for children not in foster care.

6

See ED/HHS joint guidance (page 3, Introduction).

Federal Milestones for Children in Foster Care

2008 The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act December 2015 The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) June 2016 U.S. Depts. Of Education and Health & Human Services Release Joint Guidance December 10, 2016 ESSA Foster Care Provisions Take

• Effect. Protections for children in foster care now found

exclusively under Title I, Part A (not McKinney-Vento). 2013 Uninterrupted Scholars Act

7

Framework of ESSA’s Foster Care Provisions

“Dual-agency” vision, establishing state and local points

• f contact between LEA & CCYA

Staff & Collaboration

Best interest determinations, transportation, immediate enrollment and transfer of records, considerations for students with disabilities and English learners

Ensuring Educational Stability

Reporting graduation rates and academic achievement

• f foster students in annual State Report Card

Data Collection & Reporting

Removing “awaiting foster care placement” from definition of homeless children and youths

McKinney- Vento Updates

8

Key ESSA Provisions for Children in Foster Care “Dual-agency” collaboration

• LEAs should work closely with CCYAs to tailor processes

and procedures to the unique local context (i.e. enrollment protocols, transportation agreements, best interest determinations, and records transfers).

1

9

See ED/HHS joint guidance (page 7, Frequently Asked Questions, Question 4 – “What are the responsibilities of an LEA for ensuring the educational stability of children in foster care?”).

Key ESSA Provisions for Children in Foster Care

Best Interest Determination (BID)

• A child in foster care remains in his or her school of origin,

unless it is determined that remaining in the school of

• rigin is not in that child’s best interest. ESEA section 1111

(g)(1)(E)(i)

• The child remains in their school of origin until a final

determination is made.

• A sample Best Interest Determination Form template

will be distributed in early November for LEA/CCYA use.

2

10

See ED/HHS joint guidance (page 11, Frequently Asked Questions - Best Interest Determination) for more information.

Key ESSA Provisions for Children in Foster Care Immediate Enrollment

• If not in their best interest to remain in school of origin,

student must be immediately enrolled in new school and records must be transferred. ESEA section 1111 (g)(1)(E)(ii-iii)

3

11

See ED/HHS joint guidance (page 20, Frequently Asked Questions – Immediate Enrollment and Records Transfer) for more information.

Key ESSA Provisions for Children in Foster Care Points of Contact (POCs)

• Each state education agency (SEA) must designate a point of

contact (POC) for child welfare agency (CWA). ESEA section 1111 (g)(1)(E)(iv)

• LEAs must also designate a POC for CCYAs if the CCYA notifies

the LEA, in writing, that it has designated a POC. ESEA section 1112 (c)(5)(A)

• A LEA Foster Care POC Directory will be created after POCs

have been designated.

4

12

Please see SEA, LEA and CCYA Roles and Responsibilities Guide, and ED/HHS joint guidance (page 21, Frequently Asked Questions – State and Local Points of Contact).

Examples of Potential Roles of the Point of Contact

• Coordinating with the corresponding CCYA POC;
• Leading the development of a process for making Best Interest

Determination (BID);

• Documenting the BID (sample form from PDE/DHS);
• Facilitating transfer of records and immediate enrollment;
• Facilitating data sharing with CCYA, consistent with FERPA;
• Ensuring that students are enrolled in and regularly attending school;
• Providing professional development and training to school staff;
• Developing/coordinating local transportation procedures; and
• Managing BIDs and transportation cost disputes.

13

Please see ED/HHS joint guidance (page 22, Frequently Asked Questions – State and Local Points of Contact, Question 35).

Key ESSA Provisions for Children in Foster Care Transportation

• By December 10, 2016, LEAs must collaborate with

CCYAs to develop and implement clear written procedures for how transportation will be provided, arranged, and funded for the duration of a child’s time in foster care. ESEA section 1112 (c) (5)(B)

• A Transportation Agreement Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU) and a sample transportation plan will be provided in early November for LEA/CCYA use.

5

14

Please see ED/HHS joint guidance (page 15, Frequently Asked Questions – Transportation).

Transportation Procedures: What is an LEA’s role?

By December 10, 2016, LEAs must make assurances in their local plan they will develop and implement:

• Clear written procedures for how transportation will be

provided, arranged, and funded for the duration of time in foster care;

• Procedures to ensure prompt and cost-effective

transportation services.

15

Please see ED/HHS joint guidance (Frequently Asked Questions – Transportation, Questions 22 and 26) for more information, including a definition of “cost-effective.”

Transportation Procedures: What is an LEA’s role?

• When additional costs are incurred in providing transportation

to the school of origin, LEAs will provide if: – They are reimbursed by the child welfare agency; – The LEA agrees to pay the costs; or – The LEA and the child welfare agency agree to share the costs.

16

Please see Question 22 of the ED/HHS joint guidance for more information on an LEA’s role in providing transportation; “additional costs” are defined in Question 27 of the guidance. In addition, see § 299.13 of ED’s proposed regulations related to foster care transportation requirements and State Plans.

Developing a Transportation Plan (Due: December 10, 2016)

LEAs and CCYAs have a dual responsibility to collaboratively design a formal, written transportation plan by December 10, 2016.

• PDE and DHS will release a sample, joint Memorandum of

Understanding Transportation Agreement in early November.

• Transportation MOU establishes an agreement between the

LEA and the CCYA to jointly design a comprehensive transportation plan by December 10, 2016.

17

Looking Ahead: Resources & Deadlines

18

Sample Transportation MOU (PDE & DHS)

• Early November
• Transportation MOU provided

to LEAs and CCYAs is modifiable to address unique, local needs.

Transportation Plan Guide (PDE & DHS)

• November
• A sample transportation

plan guide will be provided in early November to assist LEAs and CCYAs to collaboratively design a local transportation plan.

LEAs Submit MOUs & Transportation Plans

• December 10, 2016
• Submit MOU and joint local

transportation plan to PDE no later than December 10, 2016.

• pafostercare@csc.csiu.org

Reviewing Next Steps

1

2

LEAs designate a LEA point of contact (POC) in an expedited manner given that educational stability requirements and transportation plans for foster youth must be implemented by December 10, 2016. By December 10, 2016, LEAs must collaborate with CCYAs to develop and implement clear written procedures for how transportation will be provided, arranged, and funded for the duration of a child’s time in foster care. (via completion/submission of Transportation Agreement MOU and local transportation plan) ESEA section 1112 (c)(5)(B)

19

Technical Assistance for LEAs

Pennsylvania SEA POC: Matthew Butensky, Youth Development Coordinator Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth Center for Schools and Communities Phone: (717) 763-1661 Ext.171 mbutensky@csc.csiu.org Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth Regional Coordinators: Contact information will be forthcoming

• Provide professional development opportunities and technical assistance to

ensure ESSA requirements are met by December 10, 2016.

• Review of MOUs and transportation plans to ensure ESSA compliance as they are

received.

• Monitoring LEAs to ensure compliance with the Title I requirements at the local

level.

20

Helpful State Resources

• Please visit https://www.pafostercare.org for resources, guides, best

practice, news and sample templates.

• PDE’s “Every Student Succeeds Act” webpage:

http://www.education.pa.gov/Pages/Every-Student-Succeeds- Act.aspx#tab-1

• PDE and DHS Webinar: “Every Student Succeeds Act: Supporting

Students in Foster Care”- September 15, 2016 http://www.pafostercare.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2016/10/PDE- WEBINAR_9.15.2016-ESSA-Webinar-ESSA-Foster-Care.pdf

• PDE and DHS “Frequently Used Terms: ESSA’s Provisions for Ensuring

Educational Stability of Students in Foster Care”- September 2016 http://www.pafostercare.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2016/10/Cheat- Sheet-ESSA-Foster-Care-Provisions-Webinar-9-2016-final.pdf

21

Additional Resources

• Joint U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services Guidance: “Ensuring Educational Stability for Children in Foster Care”-June 23, 2016 http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/edhhsfostercarenonregulatorguide .pdf

• The School Superintendents Association (AASA) and National Association

for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY): “Considerations for LEA in Developing Transportation Procedures for Students in Foster Care Under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015” http://naehcy.org/sites/default/files/dl/legis/Transportation%20plan%20guide %20August%209.pdf

22

Ensuring Educational Stability Webinar Series

Joint ED/HHS Webinars Webinar Topic Location/Link An Overview of the ED/HHS Joint Guidance https://www.google.com/url/ed/hhs joint guidance Points of Contact https://1sourceevents.adobeconnect.com/p9u646jave i/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal Best Interest Determination & Immediate Enrollment https://1sourceevents.adobeconnect.com/p5a1t0r4b8 f/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal Transportation http://www.pafostercare.org/16/2016/10/TRANSPOR TATION_08-31-16_ESSA-Educational-Stability- Webinar_Transportation.pdf Effective Collaboration https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/essaeffecti vecollaboration090716.pdf

23

For more information on Ensuring the Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth please visit PDE’s website at www.education.pa.gov

The mission of the department is to academically prepare children and adults to succeed as productive citizens. The department seeks to ensure that the technical support, resources and opportunities are in place for all students, whether children or adults, to receive a high quality education.

Questions?

Please submit all questions to pafostercare@csc.csiu.org and RA-edESSA@pa.gov

24