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 linda.brissette@maine.gov

For More Information:Susan Lieberman, Director, Keeping Maine’s Children Connected207-822-0172susan.lieberman@maine.govwww.maine.gov/education/speced/kmcc/index.htm

Virginia Marriner, Maine DHHS, Director of Child Welfare Policy and Practice

207-624-7931 virginia.marriner@maine.govwww.maine.gov/dhhs

Linda Brissette, Maine DHHS, Children Services Program Specialist

207-624-7964linda.brissette@maine.gov