Foster Youth Education Program
Foster Care Ombudsperson: Helping children and youth in foster care get the care, placement, and services they need.
Dear Students, Parents, Foster Parents, & Caregivers,
We want you to know that your school is a place where you are supported and valued. Our dedicated team of teachers, administrators, school social workers, school counselors, school psychologists, and other staff are here to help you achieve your academic goals and meet your individual needs. We understand that being in the foster care system comes with unique challenges, and we are committed to providing the support you need to succeed. Our school teams can connect you with resources and services beyond what is available at your school. Our school team works closely with Orange County Social Services staff, Orange County Department of Education staff, probation, and other community members who are dedicated to supporting the needs of foster youth. We are all here to ensure you have the tools and resources necessary to thrive.
To our foster parents and caregivers, supporting a foster youth is a team effort, and we are committed to providing you with the assistance and resources you need to help your child succeed. Please feel free to reach out to us with questions or concerns.
If you ever feel like you need additional support, don't hesitate to reach out to your district Foster Youth Liaison. See the contact information below.
Through our vision of "Unlimited You" together, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment where every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
AUHSD Team
To Know Is To Empower
You have the right to:
Remain in your school of origin
Immediate enrollment in school
Partial credits for high school students
Graduation requirements waiver rights (3rd or 4th year of HS)
College rights
School discipline rights
Access to your school records
Have and know your education rights holders
Receive assistance with transportation
Follow this link to learn more: Rights of Youth in Foster Care
Physical & Mental Health Rights
You have the right to:
Receive mental health services in California.
Know about your diagnosis and treatment options in a way that you can understand.
Help make all the decisions regarding your mental health, including treatment and services that meet your needs.
Promptly receive mental health services and treatment in a placement that meets my needs.
After your 12th birthday, if you are mature enough, you have the right to seek and consent to mental health counseling and treatment on your own (except psychotropic medication).
See a doctor, dentist, eye doctor, or talk to a therapist if you need to refuse to take medicines, vitamins or herbs (unless a doctor or judge says you must)
Follow this link to learn more: Rights of Youth in Foster Care
Additional Information
You have the right to:
Contact social workers, attorneys, probation officers, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), foster youth advocates and supporters, or anyone else involved with your case
Go to court and talk to the judge
See and get a copy of your court report and your case plan
Keep your court records private, unless the law says otherwise
Be told by your social worker or probation officer and your attorney about any changes in your case plan or placement
Follow this link to learn more: Rights of Youth in Foster Care
School Site Social Worker
Care / transition meeting for new student in the foster care system.
Care coordination intake meeting at the beginning of every school year.
Purpose of these meetings:
To help you develop a relationship with school site team.
Inform you of your rights and services available to you.
Give you a voice in meetings being held on your behalf.
Collaborate and communicate with your Social Services Agency staff, PO, CASA, and other outside providers
Serve as support for your parent(s), foster parent, or care giver in navigating the school and child welfare system.
If necessary support your mental health needs.
Support you with enrollment needs; set up a meeting with all stakeholders; and advocate for your needs.
School Counselor
Develop a 6-year graduation plan
Communicate with teachers and support you when you are having academic challenges
Inform you of Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways
Inform you and support with the Pledge, dual enrollment options, and guardian scholar programs in community colleges
Support with social emotional needs
"Unlimited You"
Explore Your Options Follow the links for more information:
Additional Resources
The Orangewood Foundation programs help foster youth their overall wellbeing and independence. The agency support services such as, food, groceries, life skills, resource center, laundry, etc.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
To learn more bout CASAs and how they can help youth in foster care follow this link.
Ask your county social services social worker about appointing a CASA for you.
UNDERSTANDING THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND HOW SCHOOLS SUPPORT YOUTH
What is Foster Care:
Foster care is a primary piece of the child welfare services system.
It is defined as the 24-hour out-of-home care provided to children in need of temporary or long-term substitute parenting because their own families are unable or unwilling to care for them.
The purpose of foster care is to keep children safe while child welfare services are provided so they can be reunited with their families.
Source: Foster Care Fundamentals: An Overview of California’s Foster Care System (12/2001)
AB 490 and AB 1933 - For mor information about AB490 visit this page: Frequently Asked Questions & About Foster Care Legislation
Foster youth educational placements to ensure:
Access to same academic resources as all students
Placed in least restrictive environment
Decisions and actions that are in the child’s best interest
Foster youth have a right to remain in “school of origin”
Right to Immediate Enrollment - Foster youth are required to be enrolled if missing records or owe fees
If a dispute arises regarding the request of a foster child to remain in the school of origin, the foster child has the right to remain in the school of origin pending resolution of the dispute. The dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the existing dispute resolution process available to a pupil served by the local educational agency. Cal. Ed. Code § 48853.5
School districts must have a Foster Youth Liaison. The educational liaison shall do both of the following:
Ensure and facilitate the proper educational placement, enrollment in school, and checkout from school of foster children. Cal. Ed. Code § 48853.5
Assist foster children when transferring from one school to another school or from one school district to another school district in ensuring proper transfer of credits, records, and grades. Cal. Ed. Code § 48853.5
California Education Code 48850, 48853, 48853.5, 51225.2
AB167 - Foster Youth Graduation Exemption. For more information about AB167 visit this page: AB 167/216 Graduation: Overview of the Law
Foster youth who transfer schools or districts in their 3rd or 4th year of high school may be exempted from local graduation requirements
Within 30 days of enrollment, district must determine if student qualifies for exemption
Exemption confers a regular high school diploma but impacts enrollment in UC/CSU and may impact acceptance into military
Education Code 51225.1, 51225.2, 51225.3 (Assembly Bills 167 and 216)
Additional Laws:
AB 1909 (Education Code 48918.1) - When recommend for expulsion for a discretionary act:
District must provide notice of expulsion hearing to the child’s legal counsel and social worker
at least 10 calendar days before date of hearing.
AB 216 (Education Code 49069.5 and 51225.2)
Requires partial credits for coursework completed
AB 12 (Welfare and Institutions Code 11403(v)). For mor information about AB12 visit this page: AB 167/216 Graduation: Overview of the Law
Non-minor foster youth may remain in the dependency system until age 21
Information for Parents, Foster Parents, and Caregivers
McKinney-Vento / Foster Youth District Liaison
Adela Cruz
Anaheim Union High School District
501 N Crescent Way, Anaheim, CA 92801
714-999-7734
cruz_ad@auhsd.us
OCDE Foster Youth Services Program
Integrated Student Supports Unit
714-966-4384
Orange County Social Services Agency
Adoption / Foster Care