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 

Foster Care Partner Organization Panel

Register Wednesday, March 25th from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm via Zoom

Join Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), Office of Civil Legal Aid (OCLA) and Treehouse for a panel session of foster care partner organizations. Each panel member will speak briefly about what their organization/agency does and how it serves students in foster care and then be available for questions from attendees. 

Resources

Foster Care Resources

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

Toolkits

The Foster Care Toolkits offer practical tools and guidance to help schools support students in foster care. They include step-by-step resources, training materials, and best practices to help improve school stability, meet legal requirements, and ensure students receive the support they need to succeed.

Foster Care Liaison Toolkit

Foster Care Liaisons provide district-level support for students in foster care. Below are descriptions of roles and responsibilities, support resources, and technical assistance. 

• 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 Flowchart
• Foster Care Education Legal Review offers an overview of federal and state laws that pertain to students in foster care.
• Foster Care Liaison Tasks and Responsibilities Overview
• Designating Foster Care Points of Contact
• Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
• CEDARS Foster Care Report instructions
• Accessing Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
• Paying School Fees and Fines for Students in Foster Care
• Foster Care Transportation offers an overview of transportation requirements, contacts, and frequently asked questions.
• Supporting Students After They Leave Foster Care
• Statewide and Local Resources to support Foster Care Students
• Federal and State Post-Secondary Resources for Foster Care Students
• Foster Care Guidance for Secretaries and Registrars
• Foster Care Dispute Resolution Process
• Foster Care Dispute Resolution Flow Chart
• U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter 7-25-23 outlines educational stability requirements for students in foster care. 

Building Point of Contact Toolkit

Building Points of Contact provide school-level support for students in foster care. Below are descriptions of roles and responsibilities, support resources, and technical assistance.   

• Foster Care Liaison and Building Points of Contact Training 2025-26
• Building Point of Contact Task and Responsibilities Overview
• Building Point of Contact Tasks Checklist
• Best Practices: Foster Care Building Points of Contact
• Supporting Students After They Leave Foster Care
• Foster Care Education Legal Review is an overview of federal and state laws that pertain to students in foster care.
• Foster Care Education Frequently Asked Questions
• Statewide and Local Resources to Support Foster Care Students
• Federal and State Postsecondary Resources for Foster Care Students
• Foster Care Building Point of Contact Training Video I Presentation Slides

Best Interest Determination Toolkit

A Best Interest Determination meeting is when schools, child welfare staff, and other important people in a student’s life come together to decide what’s best for the student—whether they should remain in their school of origin or change schools. The resources below can help you plan, take part in, keep records of, and follow up after these meetings.

• Best Interest Determination: Process
• Best Interest Determination: Format and Participants
• Best Interest Determination: School of Origin
• Best Interest Determination: Student Centered Factors
• Best Interest Determination: Tips and Troubleshooting
• Best Interest Determination: Attendee Input Form (Fillable)
• Best Interest Determination: Placement Decisions Fillable Form
• Best Interest Determination: Follow-up Checklist
• Best Practices: Considerations for Best Interest Determination Meeting
• Best Practices: Foster Care and Immediate Enrollment
• Example: Email for Scheduling of Best Interest Determination
• Example: Best Interest Determination Meeting Agenda
• Example: Best Interest Determination Tracking Database
• Infographic: Best Interest Determination Meeting
• Infographic: Best Interest Determination Format and Participants
• Foster Care Transportation offers an overview of transportation requirements, contacts, and frequently asked questions.
• Best Interest Determination Training Presentation Slides 2025-26

Bulletins

Program updates and guidance from OSPI.

• Bulletin No. 037-25: Local Foster Care Liaison and Building Point of Contact Information/Training

Partner Organizations

Below you can explore the different state and national organizations that OSPI partners with to offer foster care support and resources.

State

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

National

• American Bar Association Legal Center for Foster Care & Education