DFPS is committed to meeting the educational needs and goals for children in substitute care. Education contributes to the overall well-being of a child academically, emotionally, and socially. Positive school experiences can help a child overcome some effects of abuse and neglect and in successfully transitioning to adulthood.
DFPS ensures each child’s educational needs and goals are met by:
- Maintaining educational stability for children by placing them in the neighborhood area where the child was enrolled at the time of placement, if it is in the child’s best interest.
- Identifying developmental delays in children ages 0-3 and referring them and their families to Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) services.
- Working with local school district staff, school district foster care liaisons, and community resources to immediately enroll students in foster care to avoid education disruption.
- Providing CPS regional education specialists to assist students in substitute care, and serve as an education resource to CPS staff, caregivers, and community stakeholders.
- Securing special education and other services for children so they can reach their learning potential.
- Directing students to programs that help them graduate from high school and plan for post-secondary education and career opportunities.
CPS Regional Consortiums
A consortium is a group of individuals from a cross section of community stakeholders who have identified a specific issue to address and to resolve this issue through meaningful collaboration. Regional CPS education consortiums focus on improving education outcomes for students in foster care.
Please contact your local education specialist for the location and dates of consortiums in your area.