SRI Education brief describing the benefits of quality early childhood education (ECE) and ECE stability for children in foster care, and sharing results from a survey of foster parents in Arkansas. The survey indicated that children in foster care are less likely to participate in higher quality ECE, foster parents struggle to find ECE that meets their child’s needs, and children in foster care are more likely to experience instability in ECE programs.

SRI Education brief explaining the importance of early childhood education for youth in foster care, and reporting barriers that foster parents in Arkansas identified in a survey that they face in accessing affordable, high-quality ECE.

This 2024 report, by Chantal Hinds, shares findings from a qualitative research study conducted with youth and parents experiencing the foster care system in New York. Recommendations include providing students in foster care with information about their rights and creating personalized education plans for students utilizing a collaborative team approach that involves students and is student-centered to help meet their “academic, vocational, behavioral, mental health, and social-emotional needs and goals.” (Pages 18-19)

This Child Welfare Information Gateway factsheet (2021) provides information about how youth can engage with the child welfare system and advocate for themselves and others. It includes specific suggestions for active youth engagement and participation in case planning, including educational aspects. Youth are encouraged to set expectations and build a relationship with their caseworker, as well as collect contact information from all planning team members. Youth can ask for what they need or want to know, request options, write letters, help set meeting agendas, make their case plan personal, utilize their support network, attend court hearings, ask for legal documents, and create a transition plan. (See pages 4-6.)

A Legal Center for Foster Care and Education brief highlighting key federal laws supporting students in foster care from early childhood to postsecondary, including data systems and information sharing.

A Legal Center for Foster Care and Education brief explaining the importance of foster care and education agency points of contact (POCs)-- a requirement for state and local child welfare agencies to designate an education POC would promote collaboration with education agency foster care POCs and enhance educational stability and success for students in foster care. The brief also highlights how Iowa, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin structure their child welfare agency education POCs.

Attendance Works has various resources about increasing high school attendance, including template Success Plans and promising mentorship models.  

A Legal Center for Foster Care & Education issue brief explaining early intervention services available for infants and toddlers with disabilities in the child welfare system, and listing tips for child welfare advocates for young children to help them access those services. 

A guide for attorneys to understand the early childhood education supports that are available for young children involved in the child welfare system.

A National Association of Education for Young Children resource that provides information and outlines strategies for early childhood educators to understand and address the unique needs of foster care families.  

The BUILD Initiative has a resource collection featuring written resources and webinars related to cross-system collaboration between child welfare and early childhood to improve outcomes for young children and their families.