Powerful Partnerships: How Local Systems Can Work Together to Create Educational Stability for Kids...

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Powerful Partnerships:How Local Systems Can Work Together to Create Educational Stability for Kids

Presented at: “Child Welfare, Education and the Courts: A Collaboration to Strengthen Educational Successes of Children and Youth in Foster Care”

November 4, 2011

Workshop Learning Objectives:Participants will learn strategies to:

Our Panel Anne Comstock (Moderator), Associate Director, National

Child Welfare Resource Center for Organizational Improvement

The Honorable Suzanna Cuneo, Commissioner, Pima County Juvenile Court

Carol Punske, Assistant Program Manager, Pima County Juvenile Court Child Protective Services

Elaine E. Fink, Managing Attorney, Children’s Advocacy Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio

Carla Guenthner, Administrative Magistrate, Hamilton County Juvenile Court

Pima County Juvenile Court Committee Pima County Juvenile Court Committee to Improve Education Outcomes to Improve Education Outcomes

for Court-Involved Youthfor Court-Involved Youth

• Established January 2003 as Established January 2003 as Model Dependency Court SubcommitteeModel Dependency Court Subcommittee

• Began with 12 members representing Child Began with 12 members representing Child Protective Services, several school districts, Protective Services, several school districts, Casey Family Programs, Juvenile Court Staff, Casey Family Programs, Juvenile Court Staff, CASA Program and the Attorney General’s Office. CASA Program and the Attorney General’s Office.

Pima County Juvenile Court Committee to Pima County Juvenile Court Committee to Improve Education Outcomes Improve Education Outcomes

• Initial focus was education issues affecting youth Initial focus was education issues affecting youth in foster care primarily in the areas of education in foster care primarily in the areas of education records, enrollment and school stability.records, enrollment and school stability.

• Committee expanded its focus in 2005 to include Committee expanded its focus in 2005 to include all court-involved youth, including delinquencies.all court-involved youth, including delinquencies.

• Currently has approximately 100 participants Currently has approximately 100 participants representing numerous school districts, Pima representing numerous school districts, Pima Community Superintendent’s Office, Pima Community Superintendent’s Office, Pima Community College, County Attorney’s Office, Community College, County Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, group care facilities, Public Defender’s Office, group care facilities, attorneys, Child Protective Services, CASA, attorneys, Child Protective Services, CASA, Attorney General’s Office, Probation and Attorney General’s Office, Probation and Detention.Detention.

• Following a community-wide education summit Following a community-wide education summit in October 2007, the committee converted its in October 2007, the committee converted its format to an education forum which meets 3-4 format to an education forum which meets 3-4 times per year and focuses on cross training times per year and focuses on cross training and collaboration in two areas: Keeping kids in and collaboration in two areas: Keeping kids in school and alternatives to school and alternatives to suspension/expulsion/arrest.suspension/expulsion/arrest.

Past Projects Addressing School Past Projects Addressing School Stability and ContinuityStability and Continuity

• School records: Created court order for release of School records: Created court order for release of school records to child welfare case managers. school records to child welfare case managers. Order signed by dependency judge same day Order signed by dependency judge same day dependency petition is filed.dependency petition is filed.

• Linking with McKinney-Vento: Ensure school-aged Linking with McKinney-Vento: Ensure school-aged children placed out of home remain in their home children placed out of home remain in their home schools when appropriate.schools when appropriate.

• Training community educators focusing on McKinney-Training community educators focusing on McKinney-Vento liaisons and unique educational issues affecting Vento liaisons and unique educational issues affecting children in out-of-home care (Endless Dreams).children in out-of-home care (Endless Dreams).

• Training child welfare case managers on the rights of Training child welfare case managers on the rights of children in out-of-home care to remain in their home children in out-of-home care to remain in their home schools or to immediate enrollment if there is a change in schools or to immediate enrollment if there is a change in school placement (McKinney-Vento).school placement (McKinney-Vento).

• Development of an Education Advocacy Manual.Development of an Education Advocacy Manual.

• ““Accountability Conferencing” as alternative to suspension Accountability Conferencing” as alternative to suspension and expulsion.and expulsion.

• Training on modified version of “Judicial Checklist” in Training on modified version of “Judicial Checklist” in dependency cases commencing with first Preliminary dependency cases commencing with first Preliminary Protective Hearing.Protective Hearing.

• Training out-of-home placement units to locate emergency Training out-of-home placement units to locate emergency placements for children within their home school district or placements for children within their home school district or as close geographically to that district whenever possible at as close geographically to that district whenever possible at the time of the child’s removal.the time of the child’s removal.

Past Projects Addressing Past Projects Addressing School Stability and ContinuitySchool Stability and Continuity

• Development of the position of Juvenile Court Development of the position of Juvenile Court Education Programs Coordinator within the Education Programs Coordinator within the Juvenile Court to assist both Child Protective Juvenile Court to assist both Child Protective Services case managers and Probation Officers on Services case managers and Probation Officers on education issues primarily in the area of education issues primarily in the area of enrollment and school records.enrollment and school records.

Child Protective Services Working Child Protective Services Working Collaboratively with the SchoolCollaboratively with the School

• Develop relationshipsDevelop relationships• Recognize the expertise of each Recognize the expertise of each

system partnersystem partner• Meet regularlyMeet regularly• CPS staff meet quarterly with the CPS staff meet quarterly with the

School District Homeless Liaisons and School District Homeless Liaisons and periodically conduct trainings periodically conduct trainings together.together.

Key Partners for CollaborationKey Partners for Collaboration

School staff,School staff,teachers, teachers, principals,principals,social workers,social workers,nurses, etc.nurses, etc.CPS case workersCPS case workersFoster parentsFoster parentsRelative caregiversRelative caregivers

Attorneys, Attorneys, guardians ad litem, guardians ad litem, CASAs, surrogate CASAs, surrogate parents,parents,juvenile judges and juvenile judges and court personnel, court personnel, post secondary post secondary educators and educators and administratorsadministrators

Talk About Education from Day OneTalk About Education from Day OneTeam Decision MakingTeam Decision Making

• Team Decision Making is a strength based Team Decision Making is a strength based process addressing the safety and placement of process addressing the safety and placement of children.children.

• Meetings include:Meetings include:a)a) Family, CPS staff, family support, Family, CPS staff, family support,

community members, partnering agencies community members, partnering agencies and, as applicable, tribal representativesand, as applicable, tribal representatives

b)b) If children/youth are attending school, a If children/youth are attending school, a teacher, counselor or school teacher, counselor or school representative may be invited to the representative may be invited to the meeting.meeting.

Talk About Education from Day OneTalk About Education from Day OneTeam Decision Making MeetingsTeam Decision Making Meetings

Emergency removal orEmergency removal or Considered removalConsidered removal• A report is given to participants at the A report is given to participants at the

conclusion of TDM meeting and includes the conclusion of TDM meeting and includes the name of the school that the child attends.name of the school that the child attends.

• Report identifies if the child is receiving Report identifies if the child is receiving exceptional education services.exceptional education services.

• CPS can work to keep the child in same CPS can work to keep the child in same school and identify special needs.school and identify special needs.

Critical Issues: Provide SchoolCritical Issues: Provide SchoolPlacement StabilityPlacement Stability

Allow youth placed Allow youth placed in out-of-home in out-of-home care to attend care to attend home school when home school when it is safe to do so it is safe to do so and in the child’s and in the child’s best interest.best interest.

Critical IssuesCritical Issues

Records and School EnrollmentRecords and School Enrollment Ensure youth in out of home care are Ensure youth in out of home care are

not denied school enrollment because not denied school enrollment because their records are not immediately their records are not immediately available (including immunization records available (including immunization records and birth certificates)and birth certificates)

Ensure that records and information Ensure that records and information are promptly obtained/exchanged are promptly obtained/exchanged between CPS and the schools, whether between CPS and the schools, whether case is still under investigation or child is case is still under investigation or child is already receiving CPS servicesalready receiving CPS services

ChallengesChallenges

• Challenges faced by Challenges faced by foster when foster when changing schoolschanging schools

• All youth face All youth face challenges in challenges in adjusting to different adjusting to different curricula, teacher, curricula, teacher, peers, and peers, and expectations, yet…expectations, yet…

Foster Youth ChallengesFoster Youth Challenges

• Missed school days due to enrollment delays Missed school days due to enrollment delays because of lack of information/records (some because of lack of information/records (some students may initially be denied enrollment)students may initially be denied enrollment)

• Missed school days due to appointments for Missed school days due to appointments for social or medical services or even courtsocial or medical services or even court

• Lack of consistent advocacy for education Lack of consistent advocacy for education needs, including special educationneeds, including special education

• Simultaneously dealing with significant Simultaneously dealing with significant personal and familial issuespersonal and familial issues

SuccessesSuccesses

• Agree that children removed form their homes Agree that children removed form their homes will generally qualify under the McKinney-will generally qualify under the McKinney-Vento Act for the remainder of that school yearVento Act for the remainder of that school year

• Agree that the Homeless Liaison will consider Agree that the Homeless Liaison will consider children to be eligible for transportation if children to be eligible for transportation if there is a planned placement move during the there is a planned placement move during the current school yearcurrent school year

• Exploring how Title 4-E funds can be used to Exploring how Title 4-E funds can be used to provide transportation for children after the provide transportation for children after the first year following removal, with a focus on first year following removal, with a focus on older youtholder youth

SuccessesSuccesses• School Districts are providing school supplies School Districts are providing school supplies

for the children/youth who are living in for the children/youth who are living in shelters and group homesshelters and group homes

• CPS staff are trained and periodically reminded CPS staff are trained and periodically reminded to contact the School District Homeless Liaison to contact the School District Homeless Liaison as soon as a dependency petition is filed, even as soon as a dependency petition is filed, even if transportation is not immediately neededif transportation is not immediately needed

• Developed a collaborative relationship with the Developed a collaborative relationship with the School District Homeless Liaison and the staff School District Homeless Liaison and the staff at the state Department of Education for at the state Department of Education for problem solving and educationproblem solving and education

Education = future

Their future is in our hands.

It is imperative that CPS continues to work collaboratively

with schools and the court system to promote the

educational well-being of all the youth in our care.

ResourcesResources

• Casey Family ProgramsCasey Family Programs

• National Council of Juvenile and Family Court JudgesNational Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency PreventionOffice of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

ContactsContacts

Judge Suzanna CuneoJudge Suzanna Cuneo Pima County Juvenile Court CommissionerPima County Juvenile Court Commissioner sue.cuneo@pcjcc.pima.govsue.cuneo@pcjcc.pima.gov

CPS: Carol PunskeCPS: Carol PunskeAssistant Program ManagerAssistant Program Managercpunske@azdes.govcpunske@azdes.gov

Court: Cathleen FitzgeraldCourt: Cathleen FitzgeraldEducation Programs CoordinatorEducation Programs Coordinatorcathleen.fitzgerald@pcjcc.pima.govcathleen.fitzgerald@pcjcc.pima.gov

Questions and Comments?

IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL

OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE

Elaine E. FinkCarla Guenthner

Hamilton County Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati Public Schools

57 schools High Schools: 16

Elementary Schools: 38

Combined: 3

Race African American: 68.8%

Caucasian: 23.7%

Multi-racial: 4.6%

Hispanic: 1.9%

Free lunch: 68.7%

Cincinnati Public Schools Special Education Work Group

A grassroots and multi-disciplinary community group

Works collaboratively to address systemic gaps and barriers

Focus is on students with special needs

A sub-committee was created to examine and improve foster care outcomes

Key Stakeholders

Hamilton Co. Dept. of Job & Family

Services

Cincinnati Public Schools

Hamilton Co. Juvenile Court

Legal Aid Society of SW Ohio

Public Defender: GAL Office

ProKids: CASA Agency

Traveling Road Show

A Multi-Disciplinary Team

delivers information

about the child welfare system

to teachers and administrators

through participation in staff

meetings at individual schools

Two Way Process is Required

SCHOOLSCHILD

WELFARE

Why did Cincinnati Public Schools Participate?

Involved from the beginning School district input and

feedback was valued All parties remained flexible Had little to lose Willing to take a risk

Role for the Project Champion

Understands both systems Demonstrates fairness Defends each system to the other Holds each system accountable Identifies problems without

blaming Suggests solutions

Building a CollaborationStaged Process for Creating Systemic Change

Establish a sense of urgency

Develop and communicate a vision for change

Create a guiding coalition

Agree upon shared priorities and strategies

Generate short term wins

Consolidate gains and work toward long term

goals and outcomes

Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good

Hamilton County Child Protection Report Card

Children in Care or Under Agency Supervision: 1732

Placements: 60% experience one or more placements

Grade Level: 32% at appropriate grade level

Mental/Behavioral Health: 48% diagnosed

Target Population

Kindergarten through 12th grade Children in agency custody Children attending one of the

22 participating schools (identified through mapping)

Minimum of 100 children in the pilot

Prioritize Education

Steering Committee Execution of a MOU Inclusion of Schools/Education

Representatives on Model Court Team

Cross-Training Judicial Checklist Court Reports on Education Youth Engagement

Improve Communication and Systems Coordination

Immediate School Enrollment 2 child protection caseworkers

serve as Education Specialists to the participating schools

One representative at each school serves as the School Liaison to Children’s Services

Access to Power School: a web-based parent communication tool

Create School Stability Development of strategies for

maintaining stability in school and substitute care placements (e.g. prioritization within UM/UR; trauma informed services)

Creation of plans for maintaining school stability if agency placement disrupts (e.g. Project Connect-McKinney Vento liaisons)

Development of seamless transition plans when change in school placement cannot be avoided

Reform Policies and Practices

Create visitation plans/policies that avoid school disruption

Implement case plan services during non-traditional hours or access school-based services to minimize school disruption

Enhance Supportive Services

Education Advocacy and Legal Representation

Interventions and Supports to Promote Academic Success and Achievement Tutoring Mentoring Higher Education Mentoring Initiative Extracurricular Activities Summer Reading Program

Collect Data and Measure Program Outcomes

Key Outcome Measures:

1. Youth in foster care will experience increased stability in their placement and at school.2. Youth in foster care will demonstrate improved school attendance.3. Youth in foster care will achieve school promotion and grade advancement.4. Youth in foster care with identified special needs will receive appropriate and supportive educational services.5. The public and private partners will create a collaborative structure that enhances the coordination and implementation of plans designed to achieve education success for youth in foster care.

Data/Evaluation (continued)

Critical but often elusive Persevere Document small successes You can do it!

Looking Ahead….

Staged Expansion All Cincinnati Public Schools (district-wide) Youth in custody AND under agency supervision Inclusion of Dually Involved Youth

Crisis Intervention Services and Consultation

Local Training and On-Site TA regarding Fostering Connections

Enhanced data collection and exchange Program Evaluation

Supported by HHS funding

Nine tenths of education is encouragement.

Anatole France, writer

He who opens a school door, closes a prison.

Victor Hugo, poet

Contact InformationElaine E. FinkManaging Attorney, Children’s AdvocacyLegal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC215 E. 9th Street, Suite 500Cincinnati, Ohio 45202513.362.2821efink@lascinti.org

Carla GuenthnerChief MagistrateHamilton County Juvenile Court800 BroadwayCincinnati, Ohio 45202513.946.9381Carla.Guenthner@juvcourt.hamilton-co.org

Questions and Comments?

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