Tools

• ABA Legal Center for Foster Care and Education
  The ABA Legal Center is a national leader and resource in the effective implementation of the education provisions of Fostering Connections. Here you will find the Legal Center's materials for Fostering Connections to aid states working on implementation.
• Fostering Connections Act - Implementation Checklists for Education Provisions
  These checklists produced by the ABA Legal Center for Foster Care and Education are designed to guide conversations and support thoughtful implementation of the important education provisions in Fostering Connections.
• Title IV-E Plan Pre-print
  The attached pre-print from the Children's Bureau incorporates the statutory provisions of P.L. 110-351 that are effective through FY 2010

Research & Reports

• Child Welfare Outcomes 2003-2006: Report to Congress
  Child Welfare Outcomes 2003–2006: Report to Congress is a report created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (the Department) to meet requirements of section 203(a) of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (ASFA).1 ASFA amended section 479A of the Social Security Act to require an annual report on State performance. Child Welfare Outcomes 1998 was the first report created in the Child Welfare Outcomes series of reports.
• "Green Book"- Child Welfare section
  The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee "Green Book" section on child welfare includes information on federal programs dedicated to child welfare purposes, including program requirements, spending and characteristics of children served.
• Addressing the Unmet Educational Needs of Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems
  Reviews educational barriers encountered by youth in the child welfare systems and describes recent legal and policy reforms. Includes promising practices and evidence-based interventions to improve educational outcomes.
• Improving Educational Continuity and School Stability for Children in Out-of-Home Care
  This report highlights the most promising practices developed by the participating teams where the focus was on improving educational continuity and school stability; these strategies influenced systems change by enhancing the way information is exchanged across systems and by coordinating resources and advocacy around educational issues.
• ESEA Letter to Chairman Miller
  A letter from Rep. McDermott to Chairman Miller. The letter requests that the Chairman include language promoting educational stability for children in foster care in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) .

Analysis

• Summary and Section-by-Section Description of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (H.R. 6893)
  This memorandum provides a section-by-section overview of major provisions included in the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.
• Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008: New Opportunities for Children in Foster Care and Beyond.
  This Powerpoint presentation provides an introduction to the new law, background on key provisions, the potential impact on children and families, and an information to guide implementation.
• Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act: Implementation Issues and a Look Ahead at Additional Child Welfare Reforms
  This brief summarizes the Fostering Connections Act and examines implementation issues.
• Testimony of Kathleen M. McNaught on the Implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act
  Testimony of Kathleen M. McNaught, Director of the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education, on behalf of the American Bar Association, before the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support Committee on Ways and Means of the United States House of Representatives on "Implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act." (September 15, 2009)
• The Fostering Connections Act Webinar: Ensuring Educational Success
  This webcast provides a detailed overview of the education provisions included in the Fostering Connections Act and an update on the national efforts to support implementation. It highlights Pennsylvania, a state that is moving forward with implementation of these provisions by engaging education, child welfare, and the advocacy community.
• Resources from CLASP on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act
  An array of resources by the Center for Law and Social Policy on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
• Resources from CWLA on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act
  An array of resources by the Child Welfare League of America on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.
• Resources from CDF on policies and programs related to Fostering Connections Act
  An array of resources by the Children's Defense Fund on policies and programs related to the Fostering Connections Act.

Training

• The Legal Center for Foster Care and Education Webinar: Clearing the Path to School Success for Students in Out-of-Home Care
  This interactive webinar provided a framework for liaisons, educators, and child welfare advocates to ensure immediate, appropriate school enrollment for students "awaiting foster care placement" under McKinney-Vento, as well as for other students in foster care.