Foster Youth

FOSTER EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS

In accordance with AB 490 foster youth have the right to:

• Remain in their school of origin for the duration of the school year.
• Immediately enroll in school even if they are missing records normally needed for school enrollment.
• Attend a regular, mainstream school unless they have an IEP requiring a different educational placement, or the person with educational rights determines that it is in the child's best interest to attend a different educational program or remain in his/her school of origin.
• Have their school records transferred in a timely manner (2 days).
• Have their grades protected. A youth's grades cannot be lowered due to absences caused by a change in placement, attendance at a court hearing, or a court ordered activity.
• Receive partial credits.  Schools must award all students credit for full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed at another public school, a juvenile court school, or a non-public, non-sectarian school.

SERVICES

Ensure that the rights of foster youth are being protected in accordance with AB 490, VVUHSD provides:

• Immediate enrollment in school
• Support and advocacy
• Assist with prompt transfer of educational records
• Collaborate with Child Protective Services, Probation, transitional housing, County Office of Education, and other school districts
• Tutoring
• Workshops (financial aid, career exploration, life skills, postsecondary education, self-advocacy)
• Support youth in completing their high school education
• Coaching support
• Transportation assistance
• Assistance with the transition from high school to post-secondary education
• Provide backpacks, chromebooks, hotspots, school supplies and resources necessary for successful educational outcomes

If you have any questions or need any services listed above, please contact:

Rachel Storch
rstorch@vvuhsd.org
(760) 955-3201 x10429