Stars next to the workshop title means the
Learning Session would be of interest to Students
 

A1     Best Practices and Tools Utilized for Effective Education Case Management

Brian Burke, Sacramento County Office of Education, FYSCP

Sal De Leon, Sacramento County Office of Education, FYSCP

Maya Webb, Elk Grove Unified School District, Foster Youth Services

Mai Vang, Elk Grove Unified School District, Foster Youth Services

Jessica Larsen, Elk Grove Unified School District, Foster Youth Services

Student Speaker, EGUSD Foster Youth

 

The Sacramento COE Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program and Elk Grove Unified School District’s Foster Youth Services (FYS) Program have partnered to highlight best practices in case management for meeting the academic and behavioral needs of preschool through 12th-grade students in foster care. Come to this workshop and learn how to use Foster Focus Case Management tools and education plans to address both the academic and social-emotional needs of individual students. Staff will showcase how individualized case management, academic interventions, trauma-informed training, and relationship-focused support contribute to improved educational outcomes. Additionally, we will have time to explore how Foster Focus can support the various transitions youth in foster care experience, including school-to-school transfers and the transition from high school to college or career.

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A2     Bridging the Gap: Collaborative Efforts for Alternative Transportation for Foster Youth

Jennifer  Rios-Zambrano, Morgan Larkin and Colynn Bloch-Rodrigues

Los Angeles County of Education

 

Join us for a dynamic session on "Bridging the Gap: Collaborative Efforts for Alternative Transportation for Foster Youth." Attendees will explore the critical role of collaboration between the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and County Educational Offices in addressing transportation challenges faced by foster youth. Learn about innovative funding opportunities and alternative transportation solutions that can enhance educational stability and access for foster youth. Through case studies and success stories, you will gain practical strategies for initiating and sustaining these collaborative efforts. You will leave with actionable insights and resources to advocate for and implement transportation solutions in your communities.

 

A3     Building Resilience Through Storytelling

Esheonn Conner, GEAR UP 4 LA

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Storytelling not only encourages the imagination it aids in forming lifelong bonds, changing lives, all while allowing us to reflect, express, and connect with students. Storytelling can be used to build strong relationships and share experiences that will help build a culture of trust and support. This tool supports students in realizing they are not alone, gaining a stronger sense of self, while also supporting brain development. In this session we will discuss research with practical application, ensuring that you leave with a clear understanding of how to lead effectively amidst change by harnessing innovation, fostering collaboration, and empowering you to inspire and motivate those around you.

 

A4     California Department of Education: 2024 Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs

         and Student Outcomes for Foster Youth

Amy  Fowler, California Department of Education

Bridget Stumpf, Sacramento County Office of Education

Izamar Ortiz-Gonzalez, California Department of Education

 

The CDE is required to report the activities of California’s Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program (FYSCP) and student learning outcomes of foster youth to the Governor’s Office, Legislative Analyst’s Office and Legislature every other year. In this workshop, we will help you understand the data collection and Legislative reporting process that has occurred for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 years.  We will also provide an overview of the Foster Youth outcomes (Graduation Rates, FAFA Completion, etc.), as well as FYSCP program activities and recommendations. You will leave with an understanding of  CDE’s recommendations and potential next steps for you at the local level based on reported outcomes.

 

A5     Creative Wellbeing: Healing-Centered Poetry Workshop with Street Poets, Inc.

Elisabeth  Nails, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture

Cameron Siebold, Arts for Healing and Justice Network

Matthew Cuban Hernandez, Street Poets, Inc.

 

Experience Creative Wellbeing through a session led by teaching artists from Street Poets, Inc., who harness the healing power of poetry and music to build community and inspire our next generation to write, rap and dream a new world into being for us all. In this experiential workshop teaching artists will share tools to inspire youth and adults to use the practice of poetry to bear witness to their own lives and the lives of those around them, and to speak their truth. This workshop is a living example of Creative Wellbeing, an approach that combines healing-centered arts with evidence-based mental health promotion practices to build communities of wellness. Leave with arts-based tools and activities that you can put to immediately use in your work/life.

 

A6     Education Rights for Young People and By Young People

Alaina Moonves-Leb and Barbara Lundqvist

Office of Child Protection, Los Angeles County

Lived Experience Expert TBD

 

Youth involved in systems face unique challenges to accessing their education. California has laws that give them special rights to address these challenges. However, for these rights to positively impact youth, youth must know about them. The Alliance for Children’s Rights and the Los Angeles County Education Coordinating Council have facilitated a group of lived experts to develop education rights training materials and short videos intended for an audience of young people in systems. These videos take the form of informational conversations, testimonials, and tips on how to advocate for oneself. These videos can be found on social media, posted on youth-facing websites, and can be used by school staff, social workers and other adults supporting youth. Learn about the videos from the lived experts who created them and see how you can use them to better engage young people about their education rights.

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A7      First Foundation to Supporting TAY to Increase Self-sufficiency Outcomes

Tempest  Smith, Ron Chand, and Elmer McDougal

First Place for Youth

 

First Place for Youth will share our award winning first foundation program. It is an outcomes-based program to increase the number of youth who complete HS, GED or HiSET and enroll into post-secondary education. We will share best practices utilizing and leveraging our relationships with youth to encourage school completion. We will also discuss various proven methods to supporting youth to remove barriers that hinder completion of secondary education. Leave with the knowledge on how to implement programs like this in your community.

 

A8     From Trauma to Triumph: Integrating Transformative Social-Emotional Learning (T-SEL) into

         Trauma-Responsive Practices to Empower Educators and Foster Resilient Students

Kimberly Faulkner-Camacho, Los Angeles County Office of Education

Rachelle Touzard, Los Angeles County Office of Education

 

This workshop is designed to provide educators with the tools and strategies needed to support students in foster care who have experienced trauma. As Educators, you can create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment that fosters resilience and academic success by integrating T-SEL into trauma-responsive practices. You will learn about the impact of trauma on students' social, emotional, and academic development, as well as effective strategies for addressing trauma-related behaviors. In this workshop, we will examine the core components of T-SEL: identity, agency, belonging, collaborative problem-solving, and curiosity, and explore how to integrate these components into trauma-responsive practices in schools.

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A9     Introducing the Pilot Surrogate Parent Program: Supporting Special Education for Foster Youth

Alejandra Chamberlain, Contra Costa County Office of Education

Rosie Reid, PhD, Mt. Diablo Unified School District

 

Discover our Pilot Surrogate Parent Program designed to support the educational needs of foster youth with special education requirements. In this workshop, we will provide an overview of the program, detailing how surrogate parents are identified, trained, and matched with foster youth to advocate for their educational rights and ensure compliance with their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). You will gain the skills needed to start your own surrogate parents program. Materials provided include MOU, training outline, and checklists to ensure thorough preparation. This session is ideal for district liaisons interested in piloting their own program.

 

A10     Students - Know Your Education Rights and Become Your Own Advocate

Joselin  Hernandez and Jill Rowland

Alliance for Children's Rights

 

If you are a student, come to this workshop to learn about your education rights guaranteed to you by law. As you know, being in foster care or on probation means you face many unique challenges in the education system. In this training we will discuss what the education rights of youth in foster care or on probation are, including: (1) who makes your education decisions; (2) your right to remain in your school of origin or immediately enroll in your local comprehensive school; (3) your right to partial credits when you change schools mid-semester; (4) your high school graduation options; and (5) your rights when subject to school discipline. Leave the workshop knowing your education rights and understanding how to advocate for yourself in your educational journey.

 

A11    Navigating Special Education: IEP Essentials for Supporting Students in Foster Care

Gwendolyn Baquiran and Victor Negrete
San Benito County Office of Education

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This breakout session offers participants a comprehensive overview of special education process, focusing on the specific challenges and needs of students in foster care. We will delve into the essential components of the IEP to ensure these students receive appropriate and effective support, as well as explore the legal frameworks governing special education. We will also highlight best practices for identifying and addressing the unique educational and emotional needs of students in foster care. Additionally, it will emphasize collaborative strategies that bring the IEP team together ensuring that students can progress effectively. You will leave with practical tools and knowledge to advocate for and support the educational success of students in foster care.

 

A12   Resilience: The Key To Overcoming Challenges

Dee Hankins, Conference Master of Ceremonies and Professional Speaker

 

Students and Adult Supporters – come join us for a transformative workshop where you'll discover the power of resilience and learn how to navigate life's challenges with strength and optimism. Through inspiring personal stories and practical strategies, you'll gain valuable insights into building resilience and turning adversity into opportunities for growth. We will discuss “Turning Trials into Triumphs” by exploring strategies for transforming negative experiences into positive life lessons.