Getting foster children into early intervention programs

Wendy Wagner, a foster and adoptive parent, sent the following note to NFPA regarding early intervention programs for foster children:

"I would like to know how other communities around the country are handling discrepancies of the social workers not getting preschool-aged foster children into early intervention educational programs. 

These foster children are being 'pushed' into kindergarten, just because they are five, and having had NO preschool or other early intervention education! These foster children already have a 'full backpack' and then [when we] put them into kindergarten, not even knowing the basics, [we] are setting these children up for failure. 

Getting educational records in a timely manner

Dear foster parents,
The National Foster Parent Association is participating on the National Education Workgroup for Children in Foster Care. Our participation involves at least two national conference calls per month and information gathering for the workgroup. On our last call, we were asked to gather information on any concerns foster parents may have about receiving education records on children/youth placed into their care at placement or within a few days after placement.

Educating foster children with disabilities

Children with disabilities have specific rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other federal laws which require that children with disabilities receive special help to succeed in school. In addition, children in foster care are entitled to school stability under the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act (Fostering Connections Act).

View the new issue brief -- How the IDEA and the Fostering Connections Act Can Work Together to Ensure School Stability and Seamless Transitions for Children with Disabilities in the Child Welfare System -- to learn more about IDEA and the Fostering Connections Act.

The brief is authored by Legal Center for Foster Care & Education, which serves as a national technical assistance resource and information clearinghouse on legal and policy matters affecting the education of children in the foster care system.

If you need assistance, representatives at the Legal Center for Foster Care & Education are available, and want to know about progress or challenges in your state. Please send inquiries to ccleducation@americanbar.org.

Source: American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law

Sunny: A Book Review

By Theresa MacInnis Schimmel

Sunny was a treat to read. It is most appealing as the story is very well done and the artwork is beautiful. I applaud the author for writing a book to meet the needs of very young children as well as children of elementary school age. I experienced many different feelings as I read the book and I know others will experience the same thing.  The guide to further discussion at the end of the book will be most helpful as foster parents read this story to the children in their care.

Sunny is the story of Mandy, a foster child, who is given a puppy. Struggling with her own emotions of loss and belonging, Mandy tries to return the puppy to its mother, only to discover with the help of her kindly neighbor, Mr.  Johnson, that sometimes puppies, just like people, can find love, care and belonging with a foster parent.

Submitted by Irene Clements, NFPA President


Note: To read more about Sunny or to purchase a copy, visit the author's page here. NFPA receives $1 for every book sold.