4302A. Educational Services and Planning: Early Childhood Development, K-12 and Post-Secondary

Applies To:  This policy applies to child welfare employees.

Policy Number & Title:  4302A. Educational Services and Planning: Early Childhood Development, K-12 and Post-Secondary

Effective Date:  June 9, 2022

Purpose 

Ongoing educational progress is vital to support early childhood development and school success for all children in the care or custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Authority 

PL 110-351  Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008

RCW 13.34.045  Education liaison-Identification

RCW 28A.150.510  Transmittal of education records to department of children, youth, and families-Disclosure of educational records-Data-sharing agreements- Comprehensive needs requirement document-Report

RCW 28A.225.010  Attendance mandatory-Age-Exceptions

RCW 28A.225.350  Students in out-of-home care-Best interest determinations

RCW 74.13.550  Child placement-Policy of educational continuity

RCW 74.13.560  Educational Continuity-Protocol development

RCW 74.13.631  School aged youth-school placement options

Policy 

  1. Children and youth who enter out-of-home care or change placements will remain at the school they were attending, whenever it is practical and in the best interest of the child or youth.
  2. All school-aged children or youth in out-of-home placement will attend public school, unless they are court approved for home schooling, private school or to participate in an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) instruction conducted 100% on-line in the child‘s or youth’s placement setting. Children or youth placed under a Voluntary Placement Agreement only require DCYF approval.
  3. The ongoing educational needs of children or youth in out-of-home care will be addressed with the child or youth and caregiver at each placement. This includes completing and updating the education information on the Child Information and Placement Referral DCYF  15-300 form at each placement change.
  4. All school-aged children or youth in out-of-home care will have a completed Education Plan in FamLink that is updated at least every six months and attached to the court report.
    1. The Education Plan will address the child’s or youth’s physical, emotional, or behavioral needs and any issues that impair their learning abilities. The plan should be reviewed at each placement change.
    2. The request and receipt of academic records must be documented in the education plan and attached to the court report.
  5. DCYF will facilitate post-secondary education planning for children or youth in out-of-home care.
  6. All children will be referred for services when a developmental concern is suspected. Refer children:
    1. Birth through two years of age to the appropriate early intervention agency within two working days of the concern being identified.
    2. Three through 17 years of age to the Child Find program or local school district for an assessment.
  7. An Educational Liaison will be identified for children and youth grades six through twelve at shelter care and subsequent dependency review hearings if:
    1. Parental rights have been terminated;
    2. Parents are unavailable because of incarceration or other limitations;
    3. The court has restricted contact between the youth and parents; or
    4. The youth is placed in a behavioral rehabilitative setting and the court has limited the educational rights of the parents.

Forms 

Child Information and Placement Referral DCYF 15-300

Resources 

Court Report policy

Educational Services and Planning: Early Childhood procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Original Date:  July 28, 2013

Revised Date:  June 9, 2022

Review Date:  June 30, 2026

Approved by:  Frank Ordway, Chief of Staff