This page contains information and downloadable fact sheets that should be helpful for our foster parents, covering everything from recognizing signs of child abuse to understanding the education rights of children in foster care. If you have useful information of a similar type that you think other foster parents would benefit from, please let us know.
Child Health and Safety
Recognizing the Signs: The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring; however, when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination you should take a closer look at the situation and consider the possibility of child abuse. This April 2006 Factsheet from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides some helpful guidelines.
This 3-page document contains California’s Child Welfare Service Agency addresses and Child Abuse Reporting phone numbers by county (downloaded January 2011).
Child Passenger Safety Tips: From The Child Abuse Prevention Center: “According to statistics, 9 out of 10 car seats are NOT used correctly. It has been found that a properly installed car seat reduces a child’s risk of death or serious injury by up to 70%. The Center recommends that expectant parents have their seat checked before the baby is born. Remember when you take a car ride to a friend or any relatives, make sure you follow [these] guidelines based on your child’s age.”
Shopping with kids: handy list of suggestions for stress-free shopping with kids, from The Child Abuse Prevention Center.
When your baby cries: A tip sheet from The Child Abuse Prevention Center on things you can do when your baby cries for no reason (s/he isn’t wet, soiled, thirsty or hungry). Also, includes tips for keeping your sleeping infant safe.
Well-Baby Care: Here’s a handy immunization guide for parents, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (11/06).
Recommended Immunization Schedule: This schedule indicates the recommended ages for routine administration of currently licensed childhood vaccines, as of December 1, 2005, for children through age 18 years. Any dose not administered at the recommended age should be administered at any subsequent visit when indicated and feasible.
After the Shots: This guide provides information on what to do if your child experiences discomfort or becomes feverish after getting vaccinated (Spanish version).
Education
These fact sheets from the California Foster Youth Education Task Force can be helpful in understanding the educational rights of children in foster care:
- AB490: covers issues such as school stability, timely enrollment and transfer of records, and protection for grades and credits. A nice summary of AB490 is provided here, with more comprehensive coverage here.
- AB167: requires school districts to exempt a pupil in foster care from district graduation requirements that exceed state requirements except under certain conditions if the student transfers schools or districts in the 11th or 12th grade.
- Education Rights: information about who has the right to make educational decisions for a child in foster care.
- Special Education: what it is and who is eligible. Also here.
- Nonpublic schools: information about private, nonpublic school placements for individuals with exceptional needs.
- AB3632: information about mental health services provided as part of a student’s IEP.
- Functional Behavioral Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans: when these must be developed and what they must include.
- School discipline: suspensions and expulsions defined, and information about procedures, limits and exceptions.
- Special Ed Discipline: disciplinary procedures that maintain compliance with the student’s IEP.
Head Start Agency Roster (8/13/10): list of Head Start programs available statewide.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is an in-school academic support program for grades 4-12 that prepares students for college eligibility and success. This 2-page AVID at a Glance flyer provides more information, including current middle school and high school sites in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties which offer the program.
The US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid provides over $80 billion annually in financial assistance for college. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1st. There are three ways to complete the FAFSA:
- Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
- Download and complete a PDF version of the FAFSA atwww.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov or here (this will have to be mailed in for processing)
- Request a paper FAFSA by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 1-319-337-5665.
For more information, contact your agency social worker.
Independent Living and Beyond Foster Care
Stanislaus County’s Independent Living Program provides training and services to assist foster youth achieve self-sufficiency.
Pathways is a transitional living and employment development program that provides housing and support services to young adults ages 18-21. The program focuses on homeless, low-income and former foster care youth.
“The Band Together Campaign engages young people in efforts to improve life for children in foster care. Youth, both in and out of care, are being recruited to raise public awareness around the issues of foster care and to advocate for the resources needed to improve the system. The Campaign engages young people to take action in three ways to help improve life for children in foster care: understand, serve, and speak out. Collaboration between multiple youth-serving organizations provides avenues for participation by young people: schools, scouts, church youth groups, foster care youth leaders… all are invited to Band Together to raise public awareness and resources to benefit children in foster care.”
General
Stanislaus County Resource Directory: This 60-page directoryprovides addresses and phone numbers for a wealth of resources (agencies, programs, etc.) available in Stanislaus County: child care, community groups, education, employment, financial aid, family planning, health education and much, much more (Sept 2006).
Healthy Relationships
What makes a relationship healthy? Here are two great tip sheets for young people who are starting to date and want to know how to keep their relationships healthy. (This helpful information was provided by The Haven when they came to talk with Teen Connection).
The Do’s and Don’ts of Starting a Relationship
