Residential Treatment Facilities

When a local county children and youth agency (CCYA) removes a child from their home, it is the CCYA’s responsibility to place them into a safe, appropriate environment. There are various placement options for children in foster care; however, certain placements may not always be suitable for all children. Aside from a traditional foster home setting or kinship care, other placement options include (but are not limited to) residential treatment facilities (RTFs) and hospitals.

Treatment in RTFs is a placement option intended for children who need intervention through a structured, therapeutic environment. Children and youth placed into RTFs may be experiencing difficulty functioning in either a family or community-based setting as a result of social, emotional, behavioral, or educational issues. The treatment at these facilities is meant to equip children with the skills necessary to readjust successfully in a family or community setting.

Regional Best Practices

Ensuring educational stability for foster care students in RTFs requires a collaborative approach among all involved agencies. The following tables outline best practices from the regional office for local education agencies (LEAs), CCYAs, and RTFs located within Region 2.

Best Practices: Local Education Agencies

Designate a schoolwide Foster Care POC who ensures collaboration between the LEA, CCYA, and RTF to support students in these facilities.*
Participate in school placement best interest determination (BID) meetings initiated by the placing CCYA. Assume it is in the student’s best interest to remain in the school of origin (SOO).*
During initial placement, make reasonable accommodations to enable students to remain in the SOO until a final school placement decision is reached (e.g., allow continuous use of school technology, and interim transportation).*
Ensure the immediate transfer of all school records when students transfer schools.*
Communicate with the school of foster residence as needed.
Provide appropriate transportation to and from school and communicate transportation arrangements/changes to all relevant parties.*
Initiate periodic reviews of educational progress and provide appropriate accommodations for students.
Participate in transition planning, including review of student credits.
Ensure students in facilitates are granted all rights/services under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Pennsylvania’s Act 1.*
Ensure that students and caseworkers are aware of all relevant school-based resources.

*LEA requirement under ESSA

Best Practices: County Children and Youth Agencies

Designate an education liaison who works directly with schools and RTFs.*
Immediately notify the SOO and the host district of the student’s placement in a facility.*
Initiate and participate in BID meetings. Assume that it is in the student’s best interest to remain in the SOO.*
Ensure and assist in a smooth transition to the school of foster residence if that is the outcome of the BID meeting.
Supply all pertinent student information promptly.
Ensure that there is an ongoing internal communication process.
Provide staff with the POC information for schools and RTFs.
Participate in check-ins regarding the education of students.
Ensure all agencies know the timeline and procedures for students placed into RTFs.
Implement a transition plan for changes in student placements.

*CCYA requirement under ESSA

Best Practices: Residential Treatment Facilities

Assign an education POC for inquiries from schools and CCYAs.
Make reasonable accommodations for students that favor their school stability and education.
Accommodate online learning if it is in the student’s best interest.
Ensure that students have an appropriate area to complete schoolwork while onsite.
Maintain regular communication with all agencies involved in the education of students.
Participate in check-ins regarding the education of students.
Participate in transition planning when a student prepares to exit their facility placement.

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