Students in Foster Care
Students in foster care include all students who are the subject of a dependency proceeding as defined in RCW 28A.150.510. Through collaboration with state, local, and/or tribal child welfare agencies, the district will strive to minimize or eliminate educational barriers for students in foster care. The superintendent or designee will designate an appropriate staff member to serve as the district’s foster care liaison with local child welfare agencies. Each District school will have a building level point of contact that will be responsible for coordinating services and resources for students in foster care.
Who qualifies for Foster Care support?
Any student in foster care. “Foster care” means twenty-four hours per day temporary, substitute care for the child placed away from the child’s parents or guardians, and for whom DSHS or a licensed or certified child placing agency has placement and care responsibility. This includes any out-of-home care (including a relative or suitable person), so long as the child is under the placement and care responsibility of DSHS, and placed in out-of-home care by DSHS.
How does FPS assist students foster care?
- When in the best interest of the child, attend the school of origin (the school they attended at the time they entered care), or the school in which they were last enrolled.
- Best Interest Determination Meetings should be made as quickly as possible and should take into account the student-centered factors and input from appropriate persons listed in Procedure 3116.
- Immediate enrollment and support from district Foster Care Liaison in obtaining school records and coordinating services.
- Provide transportation to their school, when necessary.
- Free school meals.
- Support with credit retrieval and on-time graduation requirements.
Need additional support? Contact:
School Counselor
Kristen Smith, District Foster Care Liaison
(253) 298-3077
Stacey Klim, OSPI Foster Care Education Program Supervisor
(360) 725-6505