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A Young Person who is “ Connected by 25” Is Educated, Housed,

Education Services for Youth in Care Presenter: Kelli Stocker, LMHC Guidance Counselor on Special Assignment Hillsborough County Public Schools: Florida. A Young Person who is “ Connected by 25” Is Educated, Housed, Banked, and Connected to “permanent” supportive adults [Family].

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A Young Person who is “ Connected by 25” Is Educated, Housed,

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  1. Education Services for Youth in CarePresenter: Kelli Stocker, LMHCGuidance Counselor on Special AssignmentHillsborough County Public Schools: Florida

  2. A Young Person who is “Connected by 25” Is Educated, Housed, Banked, and Connected to “permanent” supportive adults [Family] www.youthtransitions.org

  3. Creation of Guidance Counselor • In 2005, Cby25 collaborated with Hillsborough County Public Schools to establish and fund guidance position • Position funded by Lumina Foundation grant for two years Cby25 Initiative

  4. High School Guidance Counselor remains employee of Hillsborough County Public Schools • Hillsborough County Public Schools now funds position; local child welfare agency (Hillsborough Kids) and Eckerd Family Foundation fund Middle School Guidance Counselor Cby25 Initiative

  5. Role of Foster Care Guidance Counselor • Assist with enrollment and maintaining students at schools of origin • Support students when transitioning to new schools • Establish system to monitor and track student data • Meet individually with students at school for academic planning, support, and consultation Cby25 Initiative

  6. Guidance Role • Liaison between school system, student, guardians, and child welfare system • Resource for school personnel in regards to child welfare system • Resource for child welfare personnel and guardians to assist in understanding and navigating the school system and academic requirements Cby25 Initiative

  7. Guidance Role • Provide training to various stakeholders in student’s life: educators, child welfare personnel, guardians, court personnel • Assist with post-secondary goals: planning, applications, and Financial Aid applications (FAFSA) Cby25 Initiative

  8. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) • Hillsborough County Public Schools interprets FERPA to state that the foster parent is the student’s parent (guardian), not the local child welfare agency • Foster parents sign a Release of Records annually to allow Guidance Counselors to share specific written information with the child welfare agency, in accordance with FERPA Cby25 Initiative

  9. Special Needs and Challenges • Aging out of care at 18, still in high school • Transportation across a large county is not always available Cby25 Initiative

  10. Successful System Outcomes • Established Middle School Guidance Counselor Position • On-site, underage ABE/GED program for youth in care/aged out of care • School District DJJ Transition Department housed in same office • Principals Handbook (enrollment procedures and recommendations) • Student Registration Form Cby25 Initiative

  11. Successful System Outcomes • School Social Workers trained as school liaisons • Transportation services • Eckerd Family Foundation Scholarship Fund: club fees, athletic fees, drivers ed fees, senior yearbooks, etc. • Collaboration with School District Information Systems for data compilation and access to current student progress (EdLine) Cby25 Initiative

  12. Keys to Success • School District employee: knowledgeable of school system; welcomed and trusted by schools • Provided child welfare system email account and access to case manager information • Recognized and trusted by both systems Cby25 Initiative

  13. Thank You! For more information: Kelli Stocker@sdhc.k12.fl.us Ken.Gaughan@sdhc.k12.fl.us Diane M. Zambito:Info@Cby25i.org Unified Family Court:www.fl.jud13.org

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