“How can I be an advocate for these youth in my school?”
Notify the caseworker, parent, and out-of-home care provider of any programs - through WEOP and other resources - that may assist with postsecondary goals. Encourage them to take advantage of the programs for which they are eligible.
For students in high school, meet at least once each semester with the caseworker, out-of-home care provider and parent to review academic progress, including credit accrual toward graduation. Create a plan, if necessary, to have credits from a previous school recognized and accepted or make up needed credits. Consider summer, correspondence and online classes to help students in care who are behind in credits, and help the student access them if needed.
Advocate strongly for the student’s credits and partial credits from another school to be accepted. Be creative in allowing the schoolwork a student has done elsewhere count towards meeting graduation requirements. For example, if your high school offers classes in independent living and the student has taken similar classes through the county agency, collaborate with the county agency to award the student credit.
If the student has an IEP, coordinate training for independent living and transition planning with the student’s caseworker and out-of-home care provider.
Help out-of-home care students of all ages learn to speak up and advocate for themselves, set goals to direct and redirect their lives, solve problems, identify and act on their interests, and take part in their communities.