Back-to-School for Foster Kids: Checklist to Make a Difference
The start of the school year is a time of excitement and new beginnings for many children. But back-to-school for foster kids can also bring challenges. With an estimated 16,700 children in foster care in Ohio and just over 7,000 licensed family homes to meet this need, many foster children face instability that affects their educational experience. You can help bridge this gap by supporting foster youth as they head back to school. We’ve got some great ideas for how you can help, including a downloadable back-to-school (BTS) checklist at the end of this article. First, a little BTS pop quiz on why “back-to-school" for foster kids is such an important subject.
Pop Quiz: Why Is Back-to-School Different for Foster Youth?
No matter how much loving care is in the mix, change is hard and inevitably comes with an adjustment period. It's also a reality that resources may be constrained for foster kids and families. Here’s your pop quiz with some challenging facts about “back-to-school" for foster kids.
Question 1: How Many School Changes Does a Foster Child Experience Each Year?
Answer: On average, foster children experience 1–2 school changes per year, often due to placement changes. These disruptions can hinder academic progress and emotional stability.
Question 2: True or False – Every Child in Foster Care Is Guaranteed Access to a Backpack and School Supplies
Answer: False. Many foster children start school without the essential supplies they need, which can affect their confidence and ability to participate in class.
Question 3: How Many Days of School Can Be Lost When a Foster Child Changes Placements Mid-Year?
Answer: Studies estimate that foster children can lose up to 4–6 months of academic progress per move. This highlights the importance of providing consistent support to help them catch up.
Practical Ways for Anyone to Support Foster Youth This School Year
With those sobering facts in mind, here are some practical ways to support foster families in their effort to create a smooth and productive return back-to-school for foster kids. We see the opportunities in three categories:
- Donate: Contribute school supplies or funds to organizations supporting foster youth, like Adriel (here’s how).
- Volunteer: Offer your time to mentor, tutor, foster, or provide respite care for foster children. By getting trained and licensed to provide short or long-term temporary care you provide invaluable support for children in need. Get started.
- Advocate: Support policies that ensure educational stability for foster youth.
Donate School Supplies to Support Back-to-School for Foster Kids
As we shared in the pop quiz, many foster children lack basic school supplies. Some of the highest demand items include:
- Backpacks
- Notebooks and binders
- Pencils, pens, and highlighters
- Crayons and markers
- Calculators
- Lunch boxes
Organizations like ours accept donations of new school supplies to help youth transition out of foster care and provide necessary resources for foster parents.
Volunteer Your Time to Help Foster Youth Thrive During BTS Season
There are several ways you can offer your personal time –or even your professional time if your employer supports it – to help foster youth prepare for school. For example:
- Tutoring: Assist with homework or reading skills.
- Mentorship: Provide guidance and support. You can get started by becoming a respite care provider.
- Organize Drives: Coordinate school supply collections in your community and donate them to an organization that helps kids.
- Become a Foster Parent: Find out how.
Advocate for Educational Stability
Ohio Department of Education offers information and specific ways to support policies that prioritize the educational stability of foster youth during the back-to-school season and beyond. Here are two key initiatives to support:
- School of Origin: Advocate for laws that allow foster children to remain in their school of origin, even if they change placements.
- Best Interest Determinations: Support practices that ensure decisions about school changes are made in the best interest of the child.
Here’s just a bit more about each initiative:
School of Origin: Why Does It Matter?
School of Origin refers to the school a foster child was attending at the time of placement or the last school they attended. Federal and Ohio state laws prioritize maintaining a child's enrollment in their school of origin to ensure educational stability. This continuity helps foster youth maintain relationships with peers and educators, which is crucial for their emotional and academic well-being. However, if remaining in the school of origin is deemed not in the child's best interest, they may enroll in a new school.
Best Interest Determinations: What Are They?
A Best Interest Determination (BID) is a collaborative process involving the child welfare agency and the school district to decide whether a foster child should remain in their school of origin or transfer to a new school. Factors considered include the child's academic needs, emotional ties, safety, and the length of the commute. Transportation costs cannot be a factor in this decision. Ohio law mandates that this determination be made within five school days of a foster placement change.
The Ultimate BTS Checklist for Foster Parents: Back-to-School for Foster Kids
The checklist for foster parents supporting back-to-school for foster kids goes far beyond the basics of school supplies by addressing emotional well-being, logistical concerns, and educational readiness. As a foster parent, your involvement can make a huge difference in your child’s experience this school year.
Download your comprehensive BTS Checklist
If you're interested in making an in-kind donation of school supplies for foster kids, please email us at foundation@adriel.org to confirm current needs and coordinate drop-off or delivery details.
If you’re looking for additional resources or ways to get involved, reach out to local community organizations, schools, or foster care agencies like us for school supply donations or support programs.
