Summer 2020 Justice Ed Initiative Updates

The JusticeEd Program in Santa Clara County has been working hard to support the education success of youth and families through the shelter-in-place order. See the newsletter below for a peek into how the work has transformed, and learn about some of our graduates! Author(s): JusticeEd Topic(s): Academic Skills, California, Career Success, Higher Education, Juvenile Justice Recommended Audience(s): Agency […]

Compassionate Systems CA, First Star, and United Friends of the Children have developed a best practice guide for supporting foster youth who are in the graduating class of 2020. According to the California Department of Education’s online database Dataquest, there are approximately 4,000 foster youth who are seniors in high school. The goal of the […]

Antelope Valley Region Community Resource Guide

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) has compiled a Community Resource Guide of available programming and services for young people in the Antelope Valley region of Los Angeles County. This guide can be utilized by community members or service providers to connect young people, especially those in foster care, with programs, services, and other […]

Santa Clara County Community Resource Guide

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) has compiled a Community Resource Guide of available programming and services for young people in Santa Clara County. This guide can be utilized by community members or service providers to connect young people, especially those engaged with the juvenile justice system, with programs, services, and other community resources. […]

Monterey County Community Resource Guide

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) has compiled a Community Resource Guide of available programming and services for young people in Monterey County. This guide can be utilized by community members or service providers to connect young people, especially those experiencing homelessness, with programs, services, and other community resources. Resources are categorized by type […]

Want to Help California Foster Youth Succeed in School? Start with SB 233

But foster parents shouldn’t be afraid of accessing educational information about the children in their care. Senate Bill (SB) 233, a bill now before the California Senate, helps clarify how foster parents who don’t necessarily hold educational rights can and should access their foster child’s educational records. Put forward by California State Senator Jim Beall […]

California has a responsibility to get foster kids to school

“We know that keeping kids in their schools of origin is really helpful for their chance to succeed,”said Lewis Cohen, communications director for the National Center for Youth Law. “The key is coming up with plans that really work for the kids.” Click here to read The San Francisco Chronicle article.

First look at test scores for foster youth reveals underachievement

Stuck in what has been called an invisible achievement gap, California’s foster youth finally have a place in school, district and state report cards. For the first time, the state has issued standardized test scores for foster youth, shining a light on the academic needs of some of the most disadvantaged students in public schools. […]

Bill Would Expand School Support for California Foster Youth

Many foster youth like Wagoner face similar educational hurdles. A 2013 study conducted by WestEd called The Invisible Achievement Gap found that foster youth change schools frequently. They also have low test scores and high dropout rates. These problems concern California Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego), a former school board member and college professor. Weber […]

Report: Districts ‘not yet making the grade’ regarding foster youth

School district accountability plans offered “slim evidence of districts’ attention to foster youth” as required under California’s new school funding law, according to a report released Monday by SRI International and J Koppich & Associates. The first round of local control and accountability plans – which describe the goals and actions districts plan to implement […]

Skip to content