Foster Youth

Foster Youth Resources for Education

In October 2006, the first center focused on the educational needs of foster youth with disabilities to be funded by the US Department of Education opened its doors. DREDF’s Foster Youth Resources for Education (FYRE) trains and provides follow up technical assistance and advocacy support to foster caregivers, family members, older foster youth, child welfare workers, and dependency personnel in Alameda County, California. The education advocates at FYRE work collaboratively with the Alameda County Office of Education’s Foster Youth Services program, local education agencies and the Alameda County Social Services Agency.

Clearinghouse on Foster Youth and Transition

Nearly half of all foster children require—and have a right to receive—special education and related services to succeed in school. However, most of these young people lack advocates or caregivers who are knowledgeable about their rights or can help them receive an appropriate education and plan for their transition to adult life, post-secondary education, and employment.

This Clearinghouse offers a variety of selected resources to help foster parents, kincare providers, child welfare workers, educators, CASAs and other professionals to provide effective services and supports for children with disabilities in foster care.

The Clearinghouse on Foster Youth and Transition is made possible through the generous support of the California Department of Rehabilitation. To suggest additional resources or give us feedback on the Clearinghouse, please send an email to Cheryl Theis at ctheis@dredf.org.

Resources by Subject Area

Resources by Stakeholder Group

Education

Higher Education

Transition

Fact Sheets, Policy Briefs, and Reports

Rights and Legislation

Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab)

For Child Welfare Workers and Advocates

Educators

Foster Youth

Justice System Professionals

For Foster Parents and Kin Caregivers