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Students are returning to school with excitement and the possibility of new opportunities. For a student in foster care, this could also be a time of uncertainty. Additional steps and guidance may be needed to ensure a positive experience and educational success for students who are experiencing the child welfare system. Below are several resources to help guide child welfare professionals, caregivers, attorneys, and judges through intersecting issues in child welfare and education from pre-kindergarten through higher education.
Foster Care and Student Success Guide
The Texas Education Agency (TEA), in collaboration with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Children’s Commission, updated the Foster Care & Student Success Guide. The 2022 guide contains resources and materials and includes new chapters on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Trauma-Informed Education. The TEA website includes a broad overview of each chapter for easy navigation and exploration of specific topics along with a detailed training series.
Local Points of Contact
DFPS Education Specialists help students in foster care and serve as resources for DFPS staff, caregivers, and community stakeholders. DFPS has a resource page that includes contact information for the DFPS Regional Education Specialists.
School district Foster Care Liaisons facilitate student enrollment and encourage best practice strategies for serving students in foster care. For more information, please visit the TEA webpage on Foster Care Liaisons.
Higher Education Foster Care Liaisons bridge the gap for students who want to pursue higher education and need additional support to obtain a certificate or degree. For contact information, please visit List of Higher Education Foster Care Liaisons.
Foster Care Summit
In partnership with TEA, DFPS, and the Children’s Commission, a Foster Care and Education Summit will be held on September 26-27, 2024 at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. This training aims to provide guidance, resource tips, and tools to professionals who work with school-aged students to address the educational needs and requirements of students in foster care, as required by ESSA. Registration for the Foster Care and Education Summit is now available.
Driver Education Funding Program
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) launched a new Driver Education Funding program that will pay for driver’s education classes for qualified applicants. The program covers the costs for training and related fees. For more information and program details, see TWC’s Driver Education Funding Program or email DriverEducationProgram@twc.texas.gov.
Postsecondary Education
For students with experience in foster care who pursue postsecondary educational paths, Education Reach for Texans offers resources and guidance for financial and other supports.
For youth ages 16 to 25, Transition Centers operate as local one-stop service centers to help youth with job readiness and job search assistance, higher education enrollment assistance, food and housing assistance, and mentoring.
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