In this section

Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (Fostering Connections) and the Title I, Part A provisions in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to ensure school stability for students in foster care.

This guidance applies to:

All children and youth in foster care who attend preschool programs administered by local school divisions or the Virginia Department of Education and public K-12 education programs that are administered by local education agency (LEA) or state education agency (SEA) assigned to foster care under any of the following conditions:

  • court commitments (e.g., abuse, neglect);
  • voluntary entrustment agreements when the parents request the Local Department of Social Services (LDSS) to assume custody of the children temporarily or permanently; or
  • voluntary noncustodial agreements with the parents to place the children in foster care while the parents retain legal custody and LDSS assumes placement, care and case management responsibilities.

Services Provided by LDSS:

  1. Residence Determination: The LDSS case worker determines the most appropriate residence for the child.
  2. School Placement Determination: The School Division foster care liaison and the LDSS case worker jointly determine the student’s best interest for school placement.
  3. Subsequent Actions: The LDSS or the school division provides transportation to remain in current school or immediately enrolls the student in the new school of residence.
  4. (Please link the Foster Care Placement Process Document that is attached to this email here)

WJCC Schools are committed to:

  • providing a continuity in education;
  • maintaining important relationships at school;
  • providing stability during a traumatic time for the children; and
  • improving educational and life outcomes. 

Contact information for your School Social Worker

Margaret Schiefer

Foster Care Liaison

P: (757) 634-9227

E-mail Ms. Schiefer

Resources