This FosterClub toolkit provides a comprehensive, youth-led approach to developing a unique transition plan. It includes planning worksheets, record keeping, detailed maps, and resources to help youth with their journeys. Of note, there is an education planning sheet for students (p. 23) and a message to supportive adults (p. 6). 

This ABA factsheet (2019) provides tips on how attorneys can meaningfully engage youth in foster care case planning and court hearings. The information is based on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Brain Frames resources, which utilize adolescent brain research to help child welfare professionals create positive interactions with youth in foster care. It is essential for attorneys to listen to what youth want in order to support school stability, youth-driven case planning and decision making, and advocacy regarding academic services and extracurricular activities. Moreover, attorneys should educate their youth clients about extended foster care, high school graduation, and post-secondary opportunities. 

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.)

The Children’s Bureau (CB), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, released an Information Memorandum (IM) in 2023 regarding interagency collaboration between child welfare and educational agencies to support the academic success of children and youth in foster care, including federal law, state and local POCs, data sharing and reporting, school enrollment and  school stability, B.I.D.s, transportation, and social emotional well-being.

U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released updated Joint Guidance in November 2024 with critical new information about how federal laws support students in foster care, including ESSA, Fostering Connections, and disability rights law. The guidance covers a range of topics, including school stability (A-H), academic success (I-K), special populations (L-Q), funding (R-V) and data collection (W-Z)

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 toolkit for ESSA implementation, including Q&As, federal law and guidance, checklists, tools, templates, and resources.

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.

U.S. Department of Education website with tools and resources about supporting student attendance, reducing chronic absenteeism, and formula grants to support attendance.

U.S. Department of Education webpage with links to webinars and other resources to encourage student engagement and attendance.

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. 

This Child Welfare Information Gateway factsheet is designed for young people who have experienced foster care to learn why campus support programs are important, the types of supports they offer, and how to find them. It was developed in partnership with young people with lived experience in foster care who have used campus support programs.  

For advocates looking to support youth in foster care plan for and pursue postsecondary education and training, see these tips from Journey to Success and Youth Law Center.

To see a full state-by-state list of college-based support programs for youth with foster care experience, visit the National Research Collaborative for Foster Alumni & Higher Education’s Campus Based College Support Program Guide. 

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

There are various federal programs that might be available to support youth at-risk of dropping out of school, including the TRIO Programs and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).