The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth ... - State of Michigan
The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth ... - State of Michigan
The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth ... - State of Michigan
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
“ I had an amazing caseworker from junior year <strong>of</strong> high school until college, who<br />
empowered me <strong>and</strong> helped me find my voice. She listened <strong>and</strong> convinced me that I<br />
was significant in her caseload. With her support, I made foster care into a partnership<br />
instead <strong>of</strong> a system that defined me <strong>and</strong> controlled me. That was a turning point for<br />
me. It’s amazing what being acknowledged <strong>and</strong> being given permission to dream can<br />
do for a person.”<br />
— Lupe Tovar 58<br />
Getting direct input from youth who are or have been in out-<strong>of</strong>-home care<br />
can help schools <strong>and</strong> caseworkers be more responsive to youth’s needs <strong>and</strong><br />
goals. Young people are the most experienced <strong>and</strong> well-informed experts<br />
available regarding their own strengths <strong>and</strong> challenges. <strong>The</strong>y should be active<br />
partners in any efforts to support them.<br />
<strong>The</strong> most obvious way for schools <strong>and</strong> child welfare agencies to partner with<br />
youth is to engage in active listening <strong>and</strong> team planning with individual<br />
youth in their care. In this way, adults can work in partnership with young<br />
people to help them meet their goals. In addition, education <strong>and</strong> child<br />
welfare agencies should involve youth in broader policymaking. Foster Care<br />
Alumni <strong>of</strong> America is a national group <strong>of</strong> former youth from foster care<br />
whose mission is “to connect the alumni community <strong>and</strong> to transform policy<br />
<strong>and</strong> practice, ensuring opportunity for people in <strong>and</strong> from foster care.”<br />
FosterClub.com is another resource for connecting with youth currently <strong>and</strong><br />
formerly in care. Many states also have organized groups <strong>of</strong> youth <strong>and</strong> alumni<br />
from care who are actively informing policy <strong>and</strong> practice.<br />
Alumni can <strong>of</strong>fer important specific advice for schools <strong>and</strong> caseworkers, such<br />
as these suggestions from alumni groups in Alaska <strong>and</strong> Arizona. (See, Legal<br />
Center for Foster Care & Education, www.abanet.org/child/education for the<br />
full documents.)<br />
Facing Foster Care in<br />
Alaska, Education Concerns<br />
What supports do you need to<br />
succeed with your educational<br />
experience?<br />
• More teachers, more help<br />
during class<br />
• Bus pass or reliable<br />
transportation<br />
• Alumni mentor<br />
• Not repeating the same work<br />
because they don’t know you<br />
have already had it<br />
• Knowing other youth <strong>and</strong><br />
alumni in your school<br />
• Credit for school work<br />
completed in other<br />
placements<br />
• More preparation for exit<br />
exam (High School Qualifying<br />
Exam)<br />
• More privacy in school<br />
around personal life<br />
• Clothing or allowance every<br />
month<br />
• More support from foster<br />
parents<br />
• Better after-school programs<br />
• Help with homework<br />
• Foster parents who can help<br />
with school work<br />
• More underst<strong>and</strong>ing teachers<br />
Strategies for Improving Educational Outcomes through School Stability 51
Change language