Resources and Links
American Bar Association Center on Children and Law
The ABA Center on Children and the Law has demonstrated a long standing interest in the issues specific to older youth in and transitioning from foster care. On October 7, 2008, President Bush signed the “Fostering Connections to Success Act” (P.L. 110-351) into law. Find relevant publications about youth transitioning out of care, as well as relevant ABA Policy at www.americanbar.org
Or at:
http://www.americanbar.org/groups/child_law/what_we_do/projects/empowerment/fosteringconnections.htmlFor the PDF of the Blueprint for a Change document click here.
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
CASA stands for the basic human rights of a child. A Court Appointed Special Advocate or CASA is a volunteer assigned by a judge to a case within the dependency and neglect (D&N) system. Children in such cases are the victims of abuse and neglect and are removed from their homes and families during the process. D&N cases are civil proceedings that aim to find permanency for the child or children involved. www.coloradocasa.org
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well-being of children, youth, and families by connecting child welfare, adoption, and related professionals as well as the general public to information, resources, and tools covering topics on child welfare, child abuse and neglect, out-of-home care, adoption, and more. www.childwelfare.gov
Casey Family Programs
Casey Family Programs is the nation's largest operating foundation focused entirely on foster care and improving the child welfare system. Founded in 1966, we work to provide and improve – and ultimately prevent the need for – foster care in the United States. As champions for change, we are committed to our 2020 Strategy for America's Children – a goal to safely reduce the number of children in foster care and improve the lives of those who remain in care. www.casey.org
Colorado Children’s Caucus
The Children’s Caucus provides a forum for all members of the Colorado General Assembly to discuss the challenges facing Colorado’s youth and work together to develop policy recommendations to strengthen families and improve the lives of children. http://cochildrenscaucus.weebly.com
Educational Law in the Child Welfare System
The Colorado Court Improvement Program created training around Educational Law in the Child Welfare System. Educational Law in the Child Welfare System is a Multi-disciplinary Curriculum for Improvement of understanding the Child Welfare System. Click here for the curriculum.
Fostering Connections Act of 2008
Click here for a PDF copy of the Implementation Toolkit Improving Education Outcomes for Children and Youth in Foster Care. This publication offers assistance for those who seek to learn from other states and advocates about the tools, resources, and best practices that can improve educational outcomes in their state.
Journey through Foster Care
For a better understanding of the journey through Foster Care click here for a visual representation.
Legal Center for Foster Care & Education
Legal Center for Foster Care & Education serves as a national technical assistance resource and information clearinghouse on legal and policy matters affecting the education of children in the foster care system. Click here to visit the center's website.
Meeting the Educational Needs of Students in the Child Welfare System
A Tool for Teachers
Juvenile Law Center and Education Law Center of Pennsylvania have developed a set of tools to help educators and administrators understand the issues youth in the foster care system face, and to identify simple interventions that can make a difference helping youth in care succeed in school. These tools are supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council. Visit their website to download the tool now at www.juvenilelawcenter.org
Mile High United Way
Mile High United Way lives at the intersection of the private, public, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. Today we work with hundreds of local nonprofit partners, government agencies, policy-makers and businesses to deliver services in three key areas of investment: School Readiness, Youth Success, and Adult Self-Sufficiency. Visit their website for additional information and resources at www.unitedwaydenver.org
National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators (NAPCWA)
The National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators is committed to ensuring that children in the public child welfare system have safe, permanent homes by supporting and enhancing the system’s ability to successfully implement effective programs, practices, and policies. www.napcwa.org
The Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center
The mission of the Children’s Law Center is to change the lives of abused and neglected children through compassionate legal advocacy, education and public policy reform. www.childlawcenter.org
Program Contact
Sheree Conyers
Phone: (303) 561-2192
Mobile: (303) 501-4031
E-mail: Conyers_S@cde.state.co.us