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Child Welfare, Education, and The Courts: A Collaboration to Strengthen Educational Successes of Children and Youth in Foster Care Conference
November 3, 2011Susan Lieberman, Keeping Maine’s Children Connected
Strategies for Ensuring Immediate Enrollment for Youth in Care
Shared Vision: Connecting Schools, Youth, Families, Agencies and
Communities to Support Youth in Care
“I didn’t drop out,I just stopped going andno one asked me why.” Cassie, 15
“For youth like me, interruptions in our education often result in academic skills
that are below our classmates. It's easy for us to become frustrated and so
discouraged that we end up dropping out of high school. A good education is especially critical for me. I see my
education as the tool that can allow me to become the adult I want to be.”
-Mariah, a 15 year old youth in foster care who moved 4 times in two years
• Silos exist
• Gap between what we say and what we do –“We already do that” Syndrome
• No contact or link with school or agency to assist with transitions
• HIPPA, FERPA, Providers and Kids say we can’t communicate
Barriers: Major Themes
Maine Model: Making Connections
• Enhance Existing Resources, Working Relationships and Connections Locally and Statewide
• Provide Access to Statewide Liaison Network
• Sustain and Support Connections: Trainings and Regional Meetings
• Offer Alternative Options: Maine DOE Diploma
• Utilize Data to Guide Planning
• Establishes KMCC Liaisons, utilizing existing agency and school personnel, in each:
• Regional state agency office• School district• Juvenile correctional facility • Residential facility• In-patient psychiatric hospital• Court Administrative Office
• Creates Links Across Systems
• Utilizes Electronic Access to Liaison’s Contact Information– www.maine.gov/education/speced/kmcc/index.htm
Keeping Maine’s Children Connected Statewide Liaison Network
• Facilitates communication among school and state agency staff in order to support youth
• Increases effective utilization of school and agency resources
• Contact liaison to facilitate:– Timely enrollment– Connection and communication with school staff – Records transfer– Assistance with transportation– Access to timely and appropriate services and supports
Keeping Maine’s Children Connected Statewide Liaison Network
Role of the KMCC Liaison
Connect• Link to existing natural communication channels
Communicate• Identify the best person/team within district, agency or
facility to assist with the student’s support plan.
• Assist with the process if there is a breakdown in communication.
Collaborate:
• Work together to facilitate successful transitions and support for the youth
Sustain and Support Connections:Keep on Talking
• Initial Integrated Trainings in Fall
• Regional Liaison Network Meetings Statewide 2 to 3 times a year
• Integrated Trainings at Schools, Agencies and Facilities
• Orientation Trainings for Case Workers on Strategies to Maintain Educational Stability
Alternative Options: Maine Dept of Education Diploma
PL 451: An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Task Force to Engage Maine’s Youth Regarding Successful School Completion
Enacted in 2007
Key Components• 5 Day Transmittal of Educational Records
• School Work Recognition Plan– Plan developed no later than 10 days after interim placement
• Academic Programming Waiver– In lieu of transmitting work, a waiver may be agreed upon by which
the work done in the interim placement will be recognized and documented
• Department of Education Diploma– Students who have experienced educational disruptions of more
than 10 days and have been recommended by the State Review Team to receive a Maine DOE Diploma will be issued a diploma by the Commissioner upon satisfactory completion of the content standards of the Maine Learning Results in addition to any other diploma requirements applicable to secondary students as set forth in their school work recognition planhttp://www.maine.gov/education/disruption/law.html
Additional Resources from Maine
• Youth Developed Checklist for Youth and School Staff to Assist with Transitions to New Schoolhttp://www.maine.gov/education/speced/kmcc/yac/resources.html
• Checklist for DHHS Caseworkers to assist with transitions*
• Athletics and Field Trip Release Form*– Blanket Release form signed annually by the DHHS caseworker
which authorizes the foster parent to sign individual permission forms to ensure the child is allowed to participate in school outings and activities
*Copies can be accessed by contacting Linda Brissette, Maine DHHS at [email protected]
For More Information:Susan Lieberman, Director, Keeping Maine’s Children [email protected]/education/speced/kmcc/index.htm
Virginia Marriner, Maine DHHS, Director of Child Welfare Policy and Practice
207-624-7931 [email protected]/dhhs
Linda Brissette, Maine DHHS, Children Services Program Specialist