Providing Effective Financial Aid Assistance to Students from Foster Care and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

This guide provides information for anyone who helps youth from foster care and unaccompanied homeless youth to secure financial aid for postsecondary education or training programs.

A Look at Child Welfare from a Homeless Education Perspective [PDF]

Although navigating the child welfare system can be daunting for those working in the field of homeless education, local liaisons and others must determine whether children in the child welfare system are eligible for McKinney-Vento services and collaborate with child welfare staff. This document provides an overview of the U.S. child welfare system, the challenges children in care face, and practices to ensure their educational best interest.

Identifying Special Education Decision Makers for Children in Foster Care: State Law Questions [PDF]

This article from the The Legal Center for Foster Care and Education discusses federal special education law and identifies areas where states can determine how the federal law will be implemented in their state. This article can assist anyone who has wondered why states have different processes and procedures, or who wants to identify areas of state law or policy that need to be clarified to more effectively implement the federal law, and anyone who wants to engage in discussions in states and jurisdictions about what would be the right policy and practice for their state.

Mythbusting: Breaking Down Confidentiality and Decision-Making Barriers to Meet the Education Needs of Children in Foster Care[PDF]

This publication from the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law explains the importance of education needs of children in foster care; debunks myths about confidentiality and decision-making; explains the federal laws that affect confidentiality of education records and decision making; and suggests strategies to overcome confidentiality and decision-making hurdles when addressing the needs of children in foster care. Use this publication online and benefit from the interactive functions, including links between sections and to additional outside resources; or print a copy of the document to use offline.

Questions and Answers: What Child Welfare Professionals Need to Know about Awaiting Foster Care Placement and the McKinney-Vento Act[PDF]

This fact sheet from the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education clarifies how the McKinney-Vento Act applies to children in out-of-home care. It discusses the inclusion of the "awaiting foster care placement" phrase in the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless and explains how educators and child welfare professional can work together to serve these children best.

The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement[PDF]

This 2008 report from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), made possible with support from Casey Family Programs, describes how eight jurisdictions define awaiting foster care placement and how they are implementing the McKinney-Vento Act for youth in out-of-home care. It offers concrete strategies for building and maintaining effective collaborations between child welfare and education agencies and supporting the educational success of youth in care.

New York State Kinship Navigator [PDF]

New York State Kinship Navigator provides information, resources and referrals for grandparents and other relatives caring for children in New York. Visit the program's website for answers to frequently asked questions and region-specific materials, or call their toll-free number to speak with a Kinship Specialist.

When Working Together Works: Academic Success for Students in Out-of-Home Care [PDF]

This issue brief from the National Center for Homeless Education and the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education is designed to help educators and child welfare advocates in working together to support the academic success of children and youth in out-of-home care. This brief will assist educators and child welfare advocates in working together to support the academic success of children and youth in out-of-home care. The brief offers practical, proven strategies for implementing two federal laws collaboratively: The McKinney-Vento Act, which applies to state and local educational agencies, and the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, which applies to state and local child welfare agencies. Specifically, this brief will assist state and local agencies and staff in: Laying a foundation for working together; agreeing on requirements and expectations; promoting school stability; and incorporating children fully in classes and school activities.