Foster Care Resources and Training
Contact Information
Stacey Klim
Foster Care Program SupervisorSavanna Cavalletto
Foster Care Program SpecialistTools 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
Post-Secondary Resources for Foster Care Students
Please join us on February 26, 2025, from 10 am to 11 am for a review of Post-Secondary Resources for Foster Care Students. Dawn Cypriano-McAferty, Assistant Director of the Passport to Careers Program at the Washington Student Achievement Council, will lead the review and answer any questions you may have.
This review will cover the various opportunities (i.e. grants, scholarships, support programs) available to youth in foster care. This review is especially beneficial to school-based staff that work with foster youth on their post-secondary education.
Resources for Foster Care Liaisons
- Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
- Guidance for Sharing Records with DCYF and Treehouse
- 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 and Building Points of Contact Training 2024-25
- 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
- Foster Care Liaison and Building Points of Contact Training 2024-25
- 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. 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
- 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)