Educational Advocacy Webinars

The following are online training modules to learn more about various educational topics for young people in foster care. The following webinars have been developed by SFCASA and outside agencies.

To receive Continuing Education (CE) credit per, please view the webinar and email your responses to the following four questions to our Training Specialist:

1. Which training did you view?

2. What are the three most important things you learned from this training?

3. How will you apply the knowledge from this training to your CASA case?

4. Do you have any further questions around this topic after viewing this training?

Holding Education Rights for Foster Youth

This training provides an overview of the following in regards to holding education rights for a youth in foster care through the SFCASA office: who may/may not hold rights, legal rights and responsibilities, and requirements of the SFCASA office. 1 hour CE.

Getting Started with education rights

This training details how to get started with holding education rights through the SFCASA office, including who to talk to, documents to gather, and information regarding monitoring the educational progress of the youth. 1 hour CE.

Secondary Education Achievement (High School and Equivalency Tests)

This training provides an overview of different educational options for youth to complete secondary education, as well as information about rights for young people in foster care related to high school graduation. 1 hour CE.

Financial aid for postsecondary education

This training covers different applications and processes for applying for financial aid, differences between various types of aid, different sources of financial aid, and the requirements to maintain eligibility for financial aid. 1 hour CE.

Improving Educational Outcomes for children with disabilities in foster/kinship care

This webinar is led by Cheryl Theis, Education Advocate at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. This webinar is broken into two parts (feel free to view in two sessions!) and details different strategies to support youth in foster care with disabilities. Topics covered include, but are not limited to: the special education assessment process, IEPs, 504 Plans, and other services that exist to support the educational success for youth that may have a disability in schools. 2 hour CE. Click here to view the webinar.

Foster and Probation Youth Education Needs and How to Address Them

This webinar comes from Kids Alliance. This webinar shared the most recent statewide data on foster youth education outcomes, and discussed how that data helps determine starting points for improvement. We reviewed foster youth education rights and highlighted the most recent developments in state and federal law meant to help bridge the gaps that foster youth experience. Finally, we provided participants access to comprehensive toolkits and model policies designed to address these issues. Each topic focused in on best practices and challenges, as well as the impact of the changing child welfare options under the Continuum of Care Reform. 2 hours CE. Click here to view the webinar.

Step-By-Step Guide to Completing the FAFSA for Foster Youth

This webinar comes from John Burton Advocates for Youth. This web seminar provided step-by-step guidance on how to complete the FAFSA for foster youth as well as tips on what to do after the FAFSA to ensure students get maximum aid awards. Panelists discussed how to help foster youth fill out their financial aid applications accurately and ensure that they get every dollar to help them succeed in college. 2 hours CE. Click here to view the webinar.

School-Based Advocacy for LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care

LGBTQ foster youth experience higher rates of bullying and are more likely to drop out of school – but positive, affirming school environments can truly be a lifeline for this population. In this webinar, you will learn about the risk factors for LGBTQ youth in education settings and how this intersects with their out-of-home care status. You will also explore best practices to help ensure that LGBTQ foster youth have a welcoming and supportive school experience; and learn about school resources, behaviors and policies that can encourage the healthy development of LGBTQ youth and create the building blocks for their lifelong opportunities and academic success. Co-Presented By: Tracy Flynn, M.Ed., Management and Education Consultant/Coach & ACAF Expert Trainer Seattle, WA & Emma Ledford, Communication Specialist & LGBTQ Staff Advocate, TX CASA, Austin, TX. 1 hour CE. Click here to view the webinar.

Financial Aid & Foster Youth, Part 1: Completing the FAFSA

This web seminar featured Marisol Ramirez, Financial Aid Technician and Guardian Scholars Coordinator at Pierce College and Simone Tureck of the John Burton Foundation. The goal of this web seminar was to familiarize attendees with the various types of financial aid current and former foster youth may be eligible for, share what typical award packages consist of, and instruct attendees on how to assist current and former foster youth with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 2 hours CE. Click here to view the webinar.

Financial Aid & Foster Youth, Part II: After the FAFSA

This web seminar featured Yvonne Borrego with UC San Diego, Ernesto Nery with Merritt College and Simone Tureck with John Burton Advocates for Youth. Attendees learned about all of the steps that take place after the FAFSA is submitted, as well as how to support youth in maintaining their financial aid, specifically discussing Satisfactory Academic Progress and preventing and managing student debt. 2 hours CE. Click here to view the webinar.

How to Help Foster Youth Avoid the Remediation Trap & Achieve College Success

This web seminar featured Jessica Petrass with John Burton Advocates for Youth, Dr. Katie Hern with Chabot College and the California Acceleration Project, and Ken Sorey with Educational Results Partnership. Attendees learned about the college matriculation process, how to assist youth with avoiding unnecessary placement in remediation, and some promising practices for addressing remediation needs. 2 hours CE. Click here to view the webinar.

On-Campus Support & Resources for Foster Youth in College

This web seminar featured Deborah Pruitt with John Burton Advocates for Youth, Jessica Smith, the Statewide FYSI Liaison with the Foundation for California Community Colleges; Kalynda Webber McLean, Dean of Student Success at Pierce College; and Kizzy Lopez, the Renaissance Scholars Program with CSU Fresno. Attendees learned about the support and resources available to current and former foster youth on college campuses, including the various types of campus support programs, priority enrollment, student housing, tutoring, counseling and mentoring. 2 hours CE. Click here to view the webinar.

Career Technical Education: Short-Term Programs into Living Wage Employment

This web seminar featured Lynell Wiggins, Strong Workforce Technical Assistance Provider with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and Career Technical Education (CTE) Counselor with Pasadena City College. Mr. Wiggins synthesized some of the systemic changes occurring within the state’s community college system impacting CTE, and shared with attendees several new tools to assist youth in navigating the range of CTE options and determining their education and career path. 2 hours CE. Click here to view the webinar.