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.

Resources for Foster Care Liaisons

• Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
• Guidance for Sharing Records with DCYF and Treehouse
• Guide to Supporting Students in Foster Care
• Designating Foster Care Points of Contact
• What's the Difference Between Foster Care and McKinney-Vento?
• Technical Assistance PRS Item 17 - Foster Care

Foster Care Liaison Toolkit

• Foster Care Liaison Training Video- Foster Care Education in Washington State | Presentation Slides
• Legal Guidance
• Foster Care Liaison Tasks and Responsibilities Overview
• Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
• Foster Care CEDARS Instructions
• Program Structure Considerations for Foster Care Services
• 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
• Treehouse Graduation Success and Education Advocacy - What's the Difference?
• 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

• 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

Best Interest Determination Toolkit

• Best Interest Determination: Process
• Best Interest Determination: Format and Participants
• Best Interest Determination: Student Centered Factors
• Best Practices: Considerations for Best Interest Determination Meeting
• Best Practices: School District Placement Decision
• 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 School Selection
• 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
• Foster Care Transportation
• Best Interest Determination Training | Presentation Slides

Bulletins

• Bulletin No. 034-22: New Foster Care Legislation
• Bulletin No. 050-21: New Legislative Requirement: Foster Care Building Points of Contact
• Bulletin No. 002-20: Regional Education Agreements

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

Past Training Materials

• Foster Care Building Point of Contact Training Video I Presentation Slides
• Suicide Prevention Training
• SchoolHouse Connection Webinars