Many foster children have missed a lot of school for a variety of reasons, before even coming into foster care. Once in foster care it seems like they can miss a lot more as they have several appointments during the week. One very important appointment is visitation with birth parents, which is essential for reunification.
Some social workers are receptive to hearing feedback from foster parents, while others are locked in by their own schedules, but if possible.
- Ask the teacher what time of day would be best. Because many foster children are behind, they would benefit from being in reading and math classes as much as possible.
- If a child returns to school after visitation and the child has problems adjusting, ask the teachers for specific behaviors. This feedback is very important to the social workers, the therapists and other members of the team.
- If the behaviors suggest that it is not a good idea for a child to return to school after a visit due to stress, ask the teacher to provide written documentation. This documentation will allow the workers to assist with ideas regarding what needs to be done after the visit or changing the time of the visit to after school or the weekend.
Also, don't forget to let the school know who will be transporting your foster child to and from school and include them on the child's enrollment form as someone who can pick up your child.
