Statistics showing educational performance, attendance, suspension, and post-secondary success by foster students, consistently fall below the outcomes from almost every other student group in Riverside County and throughout California and the United States.
As a response, Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, has announced the new Foster Youth Success Initiative to address these challenges and help foster students move from surviving to striving to thriving.
From individual student support tools and foster parent resources to educator training tools and bridging programs to higher education, the Foster Youth Success Initiative fosters collaboration between schools, communities, and government agencies, and aims to ensure that students receive the essential services and support they need to be successful.
“When all the data points are revealing that outcomes for foster youth are lower in almost every measurable category—from academics and attendance to graduation and social-emotional wellness—we have an obligation as educators to ask ourselves whether we are doing everything we can to support our foster students,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez. “This new initiative is an outgrowth of our Equity & Inclusive Practices Initiative that is re-shaping mindsets and removing barriers that stand in the way of student success. I look forward to working with educators, civic leaders, community organizations, and government agencies to pave the way for a brighter future for foster youth in Riverside County.”
Data points showcasing the need for the Foster Youth Success Initiative include:
· Nearly 30,000 foster youth are enrolled in public schools in California—2,934 in Riverside County. (Dataquest, California Department of Education)
- Approximately 60% of California foster youth graduate from high school, compared with 86% of non-foster youth, according to the California Department of Education (CDE) Foster Youth Data and Statistics. They are also more likely to drop out, be chronically absent, be suspended, and switch schools frequently.
- Foster youth enrolled at college within a year of high school graduation nearly 20% less often than non-foster youth, (DataQuest, California Department of Education).
- Less than 4% of foster youth in California complete a four-year degree, according to the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study from 2021.
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PAGE 2 OF 2 – FOSTER YOUTH SUCCESS INITIATIVE LAUNCHES AT RCOE
Initiative launch efforts include the creation of a dedicated website (www.rcoe.us/foster-youth-success), communications materials, foster youth panel discussions, documentary film screenings about foster youth, and intra-divisional collaboration within RCOE to identify strategic direction and partnerships.
Initiative activities to improve outcomes for foster youth include seven areas of focus:
· Academic Support
· Support for Families
· Social and Emotional Support
· Interagency Communication and Collaboration
· District Support and Capacity Building
· Stability and Continuity
· Transition Planning
The Foster Youth Success Initiative will also supplement and expand RCOE’s existing Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program that provides direct support to school districts and foster youth in Riverside County as funded by a grant from the California Department of Education.
As the fifth initiative announced by Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Edwin Gomez, the Foster Youth Success Initiative joins four other initiatives that were launched in the fall of 2020, including the Equity & Inclusive Practices Initiative, Literacy by 5th Grade Initiative, Mental Health Initiative, and the Financial Literacy Initiative. More information on all five initiatives is available at www.rcoe.us/initiatives.
For community members or educators interested in being more involved in the Foster Youth Success Initiative, or any of the RCOE initiatives, please contact Dr. Jason Jones at jjones@rcoe.us or (951) 826-6054.
About the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE)
RCOE is a service agency supporting the county’s 23 school districts and 500+ schools that serve nearly 430,000 students—more than the student population of 17 states. RCOE services include administrative support to districts and charter schools, programs for preschool, special education, pregnant minor, correctional, migrant, and vocational students. In addition, the organization provides professional training, support, and resources for more than 18,000 teachers, administrators, and staff, throughout the 7,000 square miles of Riverside County. Learn more at www.rcoe.us.