Foster Care Resources and Training

Tools and materials on this page are created to assist districts in the implementation of state and federal laws as well as to assist others in advocating for students in foster care.

Upcoming Trainings 

Best Interest Determination Meetings Training

Register for Wednesday, December 3, from 10 am to 11 am via Zoom.

If you would like clock hours, please register on pdEnroller.

Register for Wednesday, January 28, from 2 pm to 3 pm via Zoom.

If you would like clock hours, please register on pdEnroller.

Best Interest Determinations Meetings are required when a foster care student has a home placement change. These meetings are to determine the best interest of whether the student should stay in the school of origin or move to another school based on placement.  This training will be presented by the OSPI Foster Care team who will also be introducing the new Best Interest Determination Toolkit.  There will be time for problem-solving and questions from attendees.

DCYF Dependency Process and Programs Overview

Register for Tuesday, December 9, from 10 am to 11:30 am via Zoom.

Partners from DCYF will come to share a high-level overview of CPS and the Dependency Process. Come to learn what happens beyond mandatory reporting in the child welfare system, how child welfare programs work, and how to partner with child welfare to support children and families.

Foster Care Resources

• Foster Care Educational Stability Overview
• Foster Care Education in Washington Brochure
• Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
• Guidance for Sharing Records with DCYF and Treehouse
• Designating Foster Care Points of Contact
• Legal Representation for Students in Foster Care FAQ
• What's the Difference Between Foster Care and McKinney-Vento?
• Who is the IDEA Parent for Students in Foster Care?
• Technical Assistance PRS Item 17 - Foster Care

Foster Care Liaison Toolkit

• Foster Care Liaison and Building Points of Contact Training 2025-26
• Foster Care Liaison Training Video- Foster Care Education in Washington State | Presentation Slides
• Foster Care Educational Stability Overview
• Legal Review
• Foster Care Liaison Tasks and Responsibilities Overview
• Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
• Foster Care CEDARS Instructions
• Accessing Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
• Paying School Fees and Fines for Students in Foster Care
• Foster Care Transportation
• Foster Care Resources
• Post-Secondary Resources
• Foster Care Dispute Resolution Process
• Foster Care Dispute Resolution Flow Chart
• U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter 7-25-23
• Foster Care Guidance for Secretaries and Registrars

Building Point of Contact Toolkit

• Foster Care Liaison and Building Points of Contact Training 2025-26
• Building Point of Contact Overview and Responsibilities
• Building Point of Contact Checklist
• Legal Review
• Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
• Foster Care Resources
• Post-Secondary Resources
• Foster Care Building Point of Contact Training Video I Presentation Slides
• Best Practices: Foster Care Building Points of Contact

Best Interest Determination Toolkit

• Best Interest Determination: Process
• Best Interest Determination: Format and Participants
• Best Interest Determination: Student Centered Factors
• Best Interest Determination: Attendee Input Form (Fillable)
• Best Practices: Considerations for Best Interest Determination Meeting
• Best Interest Determination: Placement Decisions Fillable Form
• Example: Email for Scheduling of Best Interest Determination
• Example: Best Interest Determination Meeting Agenda
• Example: Best Interest Determination Tracking Database
• Best Practices: Foster Care and Immediate Enrollment
• Best Interest Determination: Tips and Troubleshooting
• Infographic: Best Interest Determination Meeting
• Infographic: Best Interest Determination Format and Participants
• Best Interest Determination Follow Up Checklist
• Foster Care Transportation
• Best Interest Determination Training Presentation Slides 12-5-2024

Bulletins

• Bulletin No. 037-25: Local Foster Care Liaison and Building Point of Contact Information/Training
• Bulletin No. 061-24: Local Foster Care Liaison and Building Point of Contact Information/Training
• Bulletin No. 034-22: New Foster Care Legislation
• Bulletin No. 050-21: New Legislative Requirement: Foster Care Building Points of Contact

Partner Organizations

State

• Treehouse
• Treehouse Resource Center for Caregiver, Youth, and Educators
• Office of Education Ombuds (OEO)
• Washington Association of Child Advocate Programs
• Court Improvement Training Academy (CITA)
• Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

National

• American Bar Association (ABA)
• SchoolHouse Connection