Updated Foster Care Guide Announcement

Date:  March 10, 2022
Subject: Updated Foster Care and Student Success Resource Guide Available
Category: Special Populations
Next Steps:  Share with appropriate internal staff for review and collaboration

 

The purpose of this notice is to inform you that the updated Foster Care and Student Success Resource Guide is now available on the TEA Foster Care and Student Success Resource Guide webpage

Overview/Background

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) worked collaboratively with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Supreme Court of Texas Children’s Commission to provide a comprehensive update to the Texas Foster Care and Student Success Resource Guide, originally released in 2013. This resource is used by both educators and child welfare partners. The guide is a one-stop shop to assist Texas schools in addressing the educational needs of students in foster care. The updated guide reflects changes from three Texas Legislative Sessions; changes to Federal education law (the Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA), including two new chapters, Introduction to ESSA, Chapter 8, and Trauma-Informed School Supports, Mental Health, and Discipline, Chapter 10. Additionally, the guide has been updated to be more reader friendly and includes various new resource links and callouts.

LEA Actions

  • Ensure that local educational agency (LEA) foster care Liaisons and appropriate staff (e.g., school counselors, student support specialist, Title I administrators, registrars, and at-risk coordinators) are informed of this resource and associated trainings. 
  • Ensure that the contact information for your LEA foster care liaison is up-to-date in AskTed. For more information visit: Foster Care Points of Contact 

 

Webinar Training Series *Additional training dates for other chapters will be forthcoming

 

Training Title Date 
Foster Care 101 Previously Recorded VideoSlide deck
Foster Care Guide Overview Previously Recorded VideoSlide deck 
Foster Care & Student Success Guide: Chapter 1-3 March 25, 2022, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.  Register
Foster Care & Student Success Guide: Chapter 4-5 April 22, 2022, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.  Register

 

To always have the latest information regarding supports for students in foster care, be sure to subscribe to TEA’s Foster Care and Student Success Listserv

For additional information to assist LEAs in supporting the educational success of students in foster care, visit TEA’s Foster Care and Student Success website. For additional technical assistance and support, contact fostercareliaison@tea.texas.gov.