Navigating the Foster Care System

R1

Lake County DSS should continue its efforts to recruit resource families within Lake County. In addition to the county’s current usage of social media, it is recommended that DSS explore the possibility of radio announcements and newspaper advertisements. (F1) 2018-2019 Lake County, California Civil Grand Jury Final Report 55

R2

Lake County DSS should explore options for establishing a therapeutic group home in Lake County (e.g., a contract with a private firm/agency). (F2)

R3

Lake County DSS should actively utilize resources within the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program’s Executive Advisory Council to address the issues related to the overall needs of foster children and their parents. (F3)

R4

LCDSS should hire drivers to transport foster children to mandatory visits and appointments. (F4) Request for responses: Pursuant to Penal Code 933 (c) the following responses are required: The Lake County Board of Supervisors R1, R2, R3 (90 days) The Lake County Office of Education R3 (60 days) The Lake County Department of Social Services R1, R2, R3, R4 (60 days) 2018-2019 Lake County, California Civil Grand Jury Final Report 56 LAKE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION ABOUT HEALTHY START YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES Healthy Start Youth and Family Services is a statewide initiative placing comprehensive support services for children and families at individual school sites. It gives schools, in partnership with public and private service providers, a unique opportunity to restructure systems to better meet the needs of children and families. Healthy Start offers a wide variety of services that focus on supporting academic success, and building personal strengths for children, youth and families. We assist students so they can come to school ready to learn. LAKE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION FOSTER YOUTH SERVICES Lake County Office of Education Foster Youth Services strives to address the unique educational needs of foster youth by working collaboratively with youth, caregivers, schools, placing agencies, and other service providers. We are dedicated to improving the academic success of all foster youth by addressing their individual needs. The Foster Youth Services program was established to meet the unique academic, emotional and basic needs of foster children. Many foster children perform below grade level, are held back in school, and have lower graduation rates than their peers due to multiple school placements and complex family, social and environmental conditions. The Foster Youth Services Program: o Provides individualized case management to support academic achievement, attendance and positive school behavior o Provides high school to college transitional support services o Advocates for foster youths’ educational needs o Advocates locally and state-wide to improve school & child welfare policies o Facilitates communication and collaboration between school and county agency staff DISTRICT LIAISONS Each county in the State of California has a designated educational liaison for youth who are in foster care, or who qualify as homeless. The purpose of this work is to combine efforts with other county agencies to assist with the identification and services to these youth in order for them to succeed in school. Any foster or youth designated as homeless has a right to immediate enrollment in school, the right to a transfer of their educational records within 2 business days, and all of the same rights to an equal education as any other child in school. 2018-2019 Lake County, California Civil Grand Jury Final Report 57 2018-2019 Lake County, California Civil Grand Jury Final Report 58 2018-2019 Lake County, California Civil Grand Jury Final Report 59 2018-2019 Lake County, California Civil Grand Jury Final Report 60 2018-2019 Lake County, California Civil Grand Jury Final Report 61