Foster Care 101 – Part 1: Defining Educational Stability- ESEA Definitions and Requirements

This session is ****Tailored to new LEA Points of Contact****

The beginning of a school year can offer students in foster care a chance for a new beginning and an opportunity for a different story. For some students, the transition into a new school year may feel routine, while for others, it can bring significant changes and uncertainty. This makes educational stability an important responsibility for schools and districts serving students in foster care.

Building on last year's work to establish consistent processes and procedures for supporting students in foster care across Kansas, this Technical Assistance Series will continue to provide guidance, learning opportunities, and support throughout the school year. Sessions will cover key requirements, processes, and practices related to educational stability, school improvement, and effective systems of support, while giving participants opportunities to discuss challenges, ask questions, and share solutions.

Each session will follow a two-part structure:

• First Half – Main Content, Learning, and Discussion: Approximately 40–50 minutes focused on the session topic.
• Second Half – Content Questions and Open Office Hours: An opportunity to ask questions, discuss specific situations, and receive technical assistance related to educational stability.

*** Please note: You can register for single events by locating each event on the TASN calendar by date, or for the entire series by selecting the “Register for the event series” option above the course description***

Series Dates & Topics
Meeting topics are tentative and may be adjusted based on needs identified in the field.

• September 9 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Foster Care 101 – Part 1: Defining Educational Stability- ESEA Definitions and Requirements ****Tailored to new LEA Points of Contact****
• September 18 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Foster Care 101 – Part 2: Supporting Educational Stability: Supporting Educational Stability- Process and Procedures (Best Interest Determination Meeting)
• October 2 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Foster Care and Special Education: Ensuring Alignment with IDEA
• November 6 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — TBD: Looking Back and Looking Forward
• December 4 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Transportation and Records:  Problems of Practice
• January 1 — No Meeting
• February 5 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Neglected and Delinquent Children in Foster Care
• March 5 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — TBD: Looking Back and Looking Forward
• April 2 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Preparing for Summer Transitions: LEAs and DCF
• May 7 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. — Data Collection and Supporting Building Leaders

This series is intended to support LEA points of contact, special education administrators, building leaders, and other professionals involved in coordinating educational services and supports for students in foster care. Participants are encouraged to attend the sessions most relevant to their roles and take advantage of the open office-hour portion of each session for questions and technical assistance.