Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Foster Care

Students in Foster Care

Per the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, State educational agencies (SEA) hold specific responsibilities aimed at supporting the educational rights and opportunities of students in Foster Care; this also falls within requirements established under Title I, Part A (Title I) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). 

Foster Care student rights include:

  • access to immediate enrollment in schools regardless of access to records or additional requirements;
  • free transportation to and from school;
  • access to free meal services, and
  • support engaging in academically and socially enriching activities offered by their school district.

Within this context, Foster Care is defined as substitute care for children placed by the Department of Human Services or a tribal child welfare agency away from their parents and for whom the department or agency has placement and care responsibility, including:

  • Placements in foster family homes,
  • Foster homes of relatives,
  • Group homes,
  • Emergency shelters,
  • Residential facilities,
  • Child care institutions and
  • Pre-adoptive homes

State Foster Care Liaisons / Points of Contact

The Every Student Succeeds (ESSA) Act requires that all school districts identify a Point of Contact assigned to work with staff and provide assistance for students experiencing houselessness. Each school district must also have a designated liaison tasked with overseeing the coordination and application of these supports. This is done through collaboration with caseworkers and other human services representatives, training staff within their district on the unique needs of students in Foster Care, and engaging with community organizations and agencies to ensure that students and families are receiving adequate services under ESSA/ESEA. See ODE's ESSA webpage for more details.

  • District contact information is due at the beginning of each school year (see Updating District Contact Information below for further details).

Roles and Responsibilities

  • Districts

Districts must submit their Program Contacts at the beginning of each new school year (due 10/1) and are responsible for maintaining current information with ODE as staff changes occur. They must also ensure that assigned Points of Contacts are aware of their role. 

  • Foster Care Point of Contact / Liaison

Each district Foster Care POC / Liaison must:

    • Collaborate with caseworkers, Resource parents, Tribes, and community partners;
    • Train school staff on their role in supporting students in Foster Care; and
    • Engage with ODE for updates, professional development, and technical assistance (see Office Hours information below).

  • ODE

ODE runs a Contacts report monthly. The information is generated from the data provided on the current school year's Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP) Budget Narrative (BN). To make updates, see Districts above.


2024-25 Foster Care Contact Lists
List Headers
  • HL - Homeless Liaison
  • HDA - Homeless District Administrative Contact
  • FC - Foster Care
  • FCT - Foster Care Transportation
Questions regarding missing contact information should be directed at the district or ESD in question (see linked website for contact details). 

Office Hours

State Foster Care and Transportation Point of Contacts are welcome to join us for Office Hours (OH). This forum offers the opportunity to receive updates to share across the district, connect with other districts to learn about their best practices, and ask questions about the work.

Schedule

Office Hours take place on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, 1:00 - 2:00 pm PT

  • Zoom Meeting Registration is required, and attendance is limited to state education contacts
  • Emails that do not belong to a district are subject to removal (Email fostercare@ode.oregon.gov if you have a question about participation eligibility)

Newsletter

The Foster Care newsletter is sent to state points of contact within two weeks after each OH and includes:

  • Office Hours meeting slide deck
  • Links referenced
  • Q & As (questions and answers) from the meeting
  • Important updates and the topic for the following month
  • Past newsletters can be found in the archive on ODE's Key Messages webpage by entering 'Foster' in the search box
  • The ODE Federal Programs team sends a weekly Office Hour reminder on multiple topics to subscribers of the Title I-A newsletter

Contact us

If you need additional information or support, you may contact the Foster Care team by email: fostercare@ode.oregon.gov or 

Schedule a time to connect via the Foster Care Booking link. 

Foster Care Resources

 

Foundational Knowledge

 
 

Foster Care Transportation

Some foster students in the care and custody of ODHS Child Welfare will need transportation to remain in their school district/school of origin. To facilitate transportation for these students, a LEA must collaborate with ODE to ensure that transportation for children in foster care is provided, arranged, and funded. LEAs must develop and implement clear written procedures governing how transportation will be provided to maintain foster care students in their school district/school of origin.

NEW for 2024-25 Q3

Effective beginning SY 2024-25, Q3 ODE is implementing a new Foster Care Transportation Reimbursement Submission Portal to replace the Secure File Transfer process. 

 >>>>> ODE Foster Care Transportation Reimbursement Submission Portal <<<<<<<

References

Reimbursement Schedule

QuarterService DatesDue Dates for SY 2024-25
Q1Jul 1 - Sep 302nd Friday in Nov (11/15/2024)
Q2Oct 1 - Dec 312nd Friday in Feb (02/14/2025)
Q3Jan 1 - Mar 312nd Friday in May (05/09/2025)
Q4Apr 1 - Jun 302nd Friday in Aug (08/08/2025)

REMINDERS:
  • DO NOT EMAIL or send Forms via Secure File Transfer
  • Please refer to the References above for guidance on determining the School District of Origin and creating a district transportation plan.
  • Late submissions are subject to denial
    • Exceptions may be considered when an extension has been requested and pre-approved, but are not guaranteed
  • Forms should only include the service dates outlined in the relevant quarter
    • Previous quarter reimbursements are unable to roll over

Oregon Specific Support


ORS 329.451 has been amended by the State Legislature in 2017 in such a way to allow students who have been in foster care, at some point during grades 9 to 12, to earn a high school diploma by meeting the high school diploma standards established by the State Legislature. In order to do this, the local school district must grant a waiver of diploma requirements established by the LEA board of education. In this situation, the definition of foster care student would include those students in DHS Child Welfare custody as well as those foster students placed in Development Disability foster home. These changes take place on 7/1/17.

​

Adolescents face a range of developmental issues, and as teens approach adulthood, living independently becomes a significant goal. While youth with intact families may struggle to achieve self-reliance, youth in foster care face formidable obstacles. The following resources provide information on helping teens in foster care transition to adulthood and live independently.

ODHS' Community Developmen​tal Disabilities Program​ (CDDP) offers 24-hour out of home services for children with developmental disabilities who can no longer continue to live in their family's home. These services are accessed through your local The local CDDP determines an individual's eligibility. The various service sites are located in communities throughout the state and are operated under contracts with state or county government.

Certified and trained foster families assist children with their activities of daily living, providing supervision and guidance in a nurturing setting to maintain the child's health and safety while working to increase levels of self-confidence and independence. Foster providers support children in their school programs, in community activities, in adult transition planning and when it is a part of the child's individual plan, maintaining connection with the child's family. Each child in foster care has an Individual Support Plan (ISP) which is updated annually.

Additional resources: 

    • ​Are for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (AFH-IDD). Individuals range in age from those just turning 18 to those facing end-of-life decisions. 
    • Are single-family residences that offer 24-hour care in a home-like setting that is safe and secure.​
    • Offer a wide range of support and develop individuals plans to address the specific needs of the individuals in care.
    • Serve five or fewer individuals.​

​ODE Special Education has the primary responsibility for assuring that young children and students with disabilities receive an appropriate education program in the least restrictive environment. This happens through collaboration with families, districts, agencies, and programs to ensure quality services. ​

Their website is a resource to parents, teachers and administrators and provides access to available information, documents and guidelines.​

Oregon Laws


Oregon Administrative Rules:​​​​
  • OAR 581-015-2320 Chapter 581, Division 15
    SPECIAL EDUCATION - Surrogate Parents

  • ​​ OAR 581-015-2760 Chapter 581, Division 15
    SPECIAL EDUCATION - Surrogate Parents Early Intervention (EI) / Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)​

  • OAR 581-015-2005 Chapter 581, Division 15
    SPECIAL EDUCATION - Criteria for Approving School District Special Education Programs

Oregon Revised Statute:

  • ​ORS 419B.220 Vol. 11, Title 34, Chap. 419B. Juvenile Code: Dependency - Appointment of Surrogate

Oregon Administrative Rule:

​​Oregon Administrative Rule:

  • ​​​OAR 581-022-0103 Chapter 581 - Division 22
    STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
    (11) Student safety​
    ​

Oregon Revised Statutes:

  • ​​​ORS 336.187 Vol. 9, Title 30, Chap. 336.                Conduct of Schools Generally
    ​Oregon Student Information Protection Act
    When school authorized to disclose information about student - immunity of recipient ​
  • ​ORS 419B.020 Vol. 11, Title 34 Chap. 419B. Juvenile Code: Dependency - Duty of department or law enforcement agency receiving report

or 

  • ​ORS 419A.170 Vol. 11, Title 34, Chap. 419A.                       Juvenile Code: Gen. Provisions & Definitions                               COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES - Appointment; duties; immunity; access to information; CASA Fund​

​Oregon Revised Statute:

Oregon Administrative Rule:

​Oregon Revision Statute:

​