Major school transportation pilot to benefit foster youth

More than 20,000 children in foster care will attend their school of origin and enjoy a stable education as LACOE rolls out a partnership with the Department of Children and Family Services to pilot a countywide transportation system.

"Students in foster care face multiple and sometimes ongoing trauma, including removal from their homes," said Rachelle Touzard, LACOE project director. "Keeping them in their school with familiar teachers and friends can help to minimize that secondary trauma and dramatically increase their potential for academic success."

The pilot is funded by DCFS and LACOE's Foster Youth Services. It will run through June 2018 and provide a temporary service for transporting students when it is in their best interest.

Once completed, it will provide the logistical model for coordinating and cost sharing among all 80 Los Angeles County school districts. Costs for the long-term implementation of the program can be covered by federal Title I or Local Control Funding Formula funds.

This service to foster children is part of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. It provides key protections for students in foster care and requires collaboration between child welfare agencies and schools.

More details from the California Dept. of Education about transportation requirements for students in foster care can be found here.

For more information, contact Project Director Rachelle Touzard at (562) 922-6234 or at ESSA_Transportation@lacoe.edu