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Foster Care

Students in Foster Care

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, outlines that State Educational Agencies (SEA) hold specific responsibilities aimed at supporting the educational rights and opportunities of students in Foster Care; this also falls within requirements established under Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). 

Foster Care student rights include:

  • access to immediate enrollment in schools regardless of access to records or additional requirements;
  • free transportation to and from school;
  • access to free meal services, and
  • support engaging in academically and socially enriching activities offered by their school district.

Within this context, Foster Care is defined as substitute care for children placed by the Department of Human Services or a tribal child welfare agency away from their parents and for whom the department or agency has placement and care responsibility, including:

  • Placements in foster family homes,
  • Foster homes of relatives,
  • Group homes,
  • Emergency shelters,
  • Residential facilities,
  • Child care institutions and
  • Pre-adoptive homes

State School District Foster Care Contacts

The Every Student Succeeds (ESSA) Act requires that all school districts identify a Point of Contact assigned to work with staff and provide assistance for students in Foster Care. Each school district in Oregon must also have a designated liaison tasked with overseeing the coordination and application of these supports. This is done through collaboration with caseworkers and other human services representatives, training staff within their districts on the unique needs of students in Foster Care, and engaging with community organizations and agencies to ensure that students and families receive adequate services under ESSA/ESEA. See ODE's ESSA webpage for more details.

​ODE ​

​The Foster Care support team runs a Contact list generated from the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget Narrative (BN) monthly to maintain accuracy to the fullest extent possible. . 

​Districts

  • Districts must submit their Program Contacts on the CIP BN via the Central Login Application on the ODE District Website at the beginning of each new school year. It opens for updates 8/1 and is due by 10/1. 
    • ​Any updates made between the end of the prior school year and August 1st will not be reflected in the new SY contact report.
  • ​Districts are responsible for updating the contact information as staff changes occur and ensuring assigned Points of Contact / Liaisons are aware of their role. 
  • For CIP Budget Narrative permissions and updates please connect with your District Security Administrator (DSA). 

Public/Community Partners 
For additional information or support, please contact the Foster Care team by email at fostercare@ode.oregon.gov.


Support for Districts, FC Point of Contacts, & ESDs

Office Hours

State Foster Care and Transportation Point of Contacts are welcome to join us for Office Hours (OH). This forum offers the opportunity to receive updates to share across the district, connect with other districts to learn about their best practices, and ask questions about the work.

Schedule

Office Hours take place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 1:00 - 2:00 pm PT

Newsletter

The Foster Care newsletter is sent to state points of contact after each OH and includes:

  • Office Hours meeting slide deck
  • Links referenced
  • Q & As (questions and answers) from the meeting
  • Important updates and the topic for the following month
  • Past newsletters can be found in the archive on ODE's Key Messages webpage by entering 'Foster' in the search box
  • The ODE Federal Programs team sends a weekly Office Hour reminder on multiple topics to subscribers of the Title I-A newsletter
​

Support Requests

Due to the high volume of incoming requests for support across the state, we have recently implemented an inquiry tracking system to ensure all requests receive a thorough and timely response. We encourage district contacts to complete the McKinney-Vento / Foster Care Program Support Request Form for Foster Care related questions or concerns, such as services, district responsibilities, rights of students, etc. The form allows districts to provide context and assist in the preparation and prioritization of responses. 

Districts can also email requests and schedule a time to connect via the Foster Care Booking link. 

Foster Care Resources


 
 

Foster Care Transportation

​ODE implemented a new Foster Care Transportation Reimbursement Submission Portal, effective SY 2024-25, Q3, which replaced the Secure File Transfer process. This process ensures that all file submissions receive a confirmation of receipt and date stamp, and improves the review process of data received. 

PROCESS:
  1. ​Districts must complete the most current form: SY 2025-26 Foster Care Transportation Reimbursement Form 
  2. Districts must attach the form in the NEW ODE Foster Care Transportation Reimbursement Submission Portal
  3. A confirmation of receipt will be provided. You may also check the box at the bottom of the form to receive a copy of what was submitted.
REMINDERS: 
  • ​​DO NOT EMAIL or send Forms via Secure File Transfer 
  • Please refer to the References above for guidance on determining the School District of Origin and creating a district transportation plan. 
  • Late submissions are subject to denial 
    • ​Exceptions may be considered when an extension has been requested and pre-approved, but are not guaranteed. 
      • Considerations include a history of past submissions. 
  • ​Forms should only include the service dates outlined in the relevant quarter 
  • Previous quarter reimbursements are unable to roll over.

QuarterService DatesDue Dates for SY 2025-26
Q1Jul 1 - Sep 302nd Friday in Nov (11/14/2025)
Q2Oct 1 - Dec 312nd Friday in Feb (02/13/2026)
Q3Jan 1 - Mar 312nd Friday in May (05/08/2026)
Q4Apr 1 - Jun 302nd Friday in Aug (08/14/2026)


Oregon Specific Support


ORS 329.451 has been amended by the State Legislature in 2017 in such a way to allow students who have been in foster care, at some point during grades 9 to 12, to earn a high school diploma by meeting the high school diploma standards established by the State Legislature. In order to do this, the local school district must grant a waiver of diploma requirements established by the LEA board of education. In this situation, the definition of foster care student would include those students in DHS Child Welfare custody as well as those foster students placed in Development Disability foster home. These changes take place on 7/1/17.

​

Adolescents face a range of developmental issues, and as teens approach adulthood, living independently becomes a significant goal. While youth with intact families may struggle to achieve self-reliance, youth in foster care face formidable obstacles. The following resources provide information on helping teens in foster care transition to adulthood and live independently.

ODHS' Community Developmen​tal Disabilities Program​ (CDDP) offers 24-hour out of home services for children with developmental disabilities who can no longer continue to live in their family's home. These services are accessed through your local The local CDDP determines an individual's eligibility. The various service sites are located in communities throughout the state and are operated under contracts with state or county government.

Certified and trained foster families assist children with their activities of daily living, providing supervision and guidance in a nurturing setting to maintain the child's health and safety while working to increase levels of self-confidence and independence. Foster providers support children in their school programs, in community activities, in adult transition planning and when it is a part of the child's individual plan, maintaining connection with the child's family. Each child in foster care has an Individual Support Plan (ISP) which is updated annually.

Additional resources: 

    • ​Are for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (AFH-IDD). Individuals range in age from those just turning 18 to those facing end-of-life decisions. 
    • Are single-family residences that offer 24-hour care in a home-like setting that is safe and secure.​
    • Offer a wide range of support and develop individuals plans to address the specific needs of the individuals in care.
    • Serve five or fewer individuals.​

​ODE Special Education has the primary responsibility for assuring that young children and students with disabilities receive an appropriate education program in the least restrictive environment. This happens through collaboration with families, districts, agencies, and programs to ensure quality services. ​

Their website is a resource to parents, teachers and administrators and provides access to available information, documents and guidelines.​

Oregon Laws


Oregon Administrative Rules:​​​​
  • OAR 581-015-2320 Chapter 581, Division 15
    SPECIAL EDUCATION - Surrogate Parents

  • ​​ OAR 581-015-2760 Chapter 581, Division 15
    SPECIAL EDUCATION - Surrogate Parents Early Intervention (EI) / Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)​

  • OAR 581-015-2005 Chapter 581, Division 15
    SPECIAL EDUCATION - Criteria for Approving School District Special Education Programs

Oregon Revised Statute:

  • ​ORS 419B.220 Vol. 11, Title 34, Chap. 419B. Juvenile Code: Dependency - Appointment of Surrogate

Oregon Administrative Rule:

​​Oregon Administrative Rule:

  • ​​​OAR 581-022-0103 Chapter 581 - Division 22
    STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
    (11) Student safety​
    ​

Oregon Revised Statutes:

  • ​​​ORS 336.187 Vol. 9, Title 30, Chap. 336.                Conduct of Schools Generally
    ​Oregon Student Information Protection Act
    When school authorized to disclose information about student - immunity of recipient ​
  • ​ORS 419B.020 Vol. 11, Title 34 Chap. 419B. Juvenile Code: Dependency - Duty of department or law enforcement agency receiving report

or 

  • ​ORS 419A.170 Vol. 11, Title 34, Chap. 419A.                       Juvenile Code: Gen. Provisions & Definitions                               COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES - Appointment; duties; immunity; access to information; CASA Fund​

​Oregon Revised Statute:

Oregon Administrative Rule:

​Oregon Revision Statute:

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