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Points of contact in K-12 education, child welfare agencies, and higher education reduce both academic and non-academic barriers for youth in foster care.
In K-12 education, school and child welfare partners need to work together frequently regarding school placement best interest determinations (BIDs), transportation coordination, and enrollment and records transfers. Routine collaboration and joint decision making between education and child welfare partners is critical to the educational stability and success of K-12 youth in foster care.
In higher education, single points of contact are designated safe and supportive college administrators committed to helping foster care youth successfully navigate the college-going process.
Most recently, links to neighboring state and local education and child welfare point of contact directories can be found here as collaboration with partners outside of Pennsylvania is sometimes necessary to ensure school stability for youth in foster care.
State Education Agency Point of Contact (SEA POC)
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has established a State level Point of Contact to address issues related to the education of children in foster care. You may contact the SEA POC, Matthew Butensky, Youth Development Managing Coordinator, Center for Schools and Communities, [email protected] or Office: (717) 763-1661 ext. 171 / Cell: (570) 238-0258.
(K-12) Local Education Agency (LEA) School Point of Contact
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires Pennsylvania's LEAs receiving Title I funds to identify and register a Foster Care Point of Contact (POC). This includes public school districts, charter schools, and cyber charter schools. Search the LEA Point of Contact Directory.
State Child Welfare Education Point of Contact
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth, and Families has established a State level Point of Contact to address issues related to the education of children in foster care. Child welfare professionals with questions that cannot be resolved on the local or regional level may contact [email protected].
County Children and Youth Agency (CCYA) Education Liaison Directory
County children and youth agencies (CCYAs) in Pennsylvania have designated an Education Liaison or have identified other staff responsible for education related issues. Search the CCYA Education Liaison Directory.
Regional Foster Care Office Directory
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has established eight foster care regions throughout Pennsylvania. Foster Care Regional Offices are available to assist with questions pertaining to ESSA's foster care provisions and to provide guidance and professional development. Search the Regional Foster Care Office Directory.
Higher Education Point of Contact Directory
Act 16 of 2019 requires higher education institutions to designate an appropriate staff person or persons as the point of contact for students eligible for Pennsylvania's Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd). Search the Higher Education Point of Contact Directory. Search the Higher Education Single Point of Contact Directory.
Neighboring State and Local Education and Child Welfare Points of Contact
The Every Student Succeeds Act's provisions for youth in foster care extend beyond Pennsylvania's borders. We have added links to neighboring state and local education and child welfare point of contact directories when collaboration with other states is necessary to ensure school stability for youth in foster care. Search for neighboring state and local education and child welfare points of contact.