Foster Care

The Foster Care Education program at OSPI helps students in foster care do better in school. It works to keep their education stable, avoid disruptions, and improve their learning. To make this happen, schools, child welfare workers, families, and communities need to work together. They must give these students fair chances, special help, and strong support so they can succeed in school and in life.  

This program is part of OSPI’s Student Engagement and Special Programs team. It partners with schools, foster parents, social workers, state agencies, and advocates to support every part of a child’s development using proven methods and teamwork. 

This page has the schedule and links for Foster Care Office Hours and Regional Meetings. You’ll also find links to other helpful foster care pages. 

Foster Care Office Hours

Please join us on the third Wednesday of every month, from 10:00-11:00 am, for office hours via Zoom. Drop in at any time during the hour to ask questions, and share ideas, concerns, or celebrations. This is a time for foster care liaisons and building points of contact to collaborate with OSPI and each other!   

Join Foster Care Office Hours!

Foster Care Regional Meetings

OSPI hosts Regional Meetings for the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) Regions 1 through 6. These meetings are a chance for school district and level staff, DCYF, Treehouse, and OSPI to come together. People can meet, share ideas, talk about what’s happening in their region, learn from each other, and work through challenges as a team. 

Use the DCYF Regional map to find your region and then see the regional meeting details listed below.

Region 1 

2nd Thursday in November, January, March, and May 

• January 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
• March 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
• May14th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

Region 1: Join via Zoom

Region 2

2nd Tuesday in November, January, March, and May 

• January 13th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
• March 10th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  
• May 12th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  

Region 2: Join via Zoom

Region 3

2nd Wednesday in November, January, March, May  

• January 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
• March 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
• May 13th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

Region 3: Join via Zoom

Region 4 

2nd Tuesday in December, February, April, June  

• February 10th 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  
• April 14th from 1:00 pm. to 2:00 p.m.  
• June 9th from 1:00 pm. to 2:00 p.m. 

Region 4: Join via Zoom

Region 5 

2nd Wednesday in December, February, April, June  

• February 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
• April 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
• June 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Region 5: Join via Zoom

Region 6 

2nd Thursday in December, February, April, June  

• February 12th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
• April 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 
• June 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

Region 6: Join via Zoom

Foster Care Liaisons, DCYF, and State-wide Contacts

Find contact information for school district liaisons and Department of Children, Youth and Families (FDCYF) staff who can help resolve issues and provide support.

Foster Care Building Point of Contact

Find building point of contacts for support with a specific school that a student attends.

State & Federal Requirements

Find state and federal laws that support students in foster care along with guidance to help with implementation and advocacy.

Resources & 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.

Postsecondary Education

Find information about helping students in foster care with financial aid and other post-secondary resources.