Resource Center

Guide to Supporting Students in Foster Care
Source: Treehouse
Digital guide containing numerous tips, tools and resources that promote best practices related to the education of Washington students in foster care.

Upholding Legal Rights with TeamChild
Source: TeamChild
Legal support for youth and assistance in accessing community services

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Information on K-12 education in Washington State

Office of the Education Ombuds
Source: Office of the Education Ombuds
Services to ensure every student can participate in public education in Washington State

Washington State Schools Achievement Index
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Performance statistics for all schools in Washington State

Trainings for Caregivers
Source: Alliance for Child Welfare
Catalogue of caregiver trainings on many topics related to youth experiencing foster care

Tips for Getting Involved at School
Source: Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds
Ways caregivers can contribute to children’s academic success by partnering with schools

Parent-Teacher Conference Planner
Source: Treehouse
Step-by-step guidance to get the most out of parent-teacher conferences

Important Safety Rules
Source: SafeHome.org
Teaching importance of safety at home and away.

Stop Bullying Now
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Guidance on bullying: who is at risk and how to prevent and respond

Guide to Supporting Students in Foster Care
Source: Treehouse
Digital guide containing numerous tips, tools and resources that promote best practices related to the education of Washington students in foster care.

Education Requirements for Youth in Foster Care
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Information regarding laws, procedures, and school resources specific to students experiencing foster care

The Journey of a Foster Child
Source: Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF)
Timeline of foster care legal process

Recommended Practices for Schools to Involve Families
Source: Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds
How schools can involve family members in students’ education and increase academic success

Stop Bullying Now
Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Guidance on bullying: who is at risk and how to prevent and respond

Bullying Children with Special Needs
Source: Cerebralpalsyguidance.com
Information and resources to help stop bullying of children with disabilities who are often the target of harassment, typically during school

Resources for Educators
Source: Kahn Academy
Free lessons and exercises in numerous subject areas and tools to track student progress

Guide to Supporting Students in Foster Care
Source: Treehouse
Digital guide containing numerous tips, tools and resources that promote best practices related to the education of Washington students in foster care.

The Family Guide to Working with Schools (pp. 31-37)
Source: Washington State Office of Education Ombuds, Treehouse, TeamChild
Guidance on how to enroll your child in a Washington State school

Best Practices: Immediate Enrollment for Students in Foster Care
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
In December 2015, Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and created new protections for children in foster care. These provisions, effective December 10, 2016, require school districts to work with child welfare agencies to ensure the educational stability of children in foster care.

Guide to Supporting Students in Foster Care
Source: Treehouse
Digital guide containing numerous tips, tools and resources that promote best practices related to the education of Washington students in foster care.

The Family Guide to Working with Schools – School Discipline (pp. 44-58)
Source: Washington State Office of Education Ombuds, Treehouse, TeamChild
Steps and students’ rights in the school disciplinary process

The Family Guide to Special Education Services
Source: Washington State Office of Education Ombuds, Treehouse, TeamChild
Guidance on the process of identifying and addressing disabilities in school

Discipline and Special Education FAQ
Source: Treehouse
Answers to common questions about discipline-related rights of students with disabilities

Special Education and 504 Accommodation Plans FAQ
Source: Treehouse
Answers to common questions about the rights of students with disabilities

Legal Information and Guidance Related to Special Education
Source: Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela Darr Wright
Information about education law and advocacy for children with disabilities

Information and Resources for Writing Transition Plans into IEPs
Source: Seattle University
How to tailor an IEP to support a student’s transition to postsecondary education

Examples of 504 Accommodations
Source: Lovejoy Schools and Casey Family Programs
Accommodations for students who do not qualify for special education but need extra help

Special Education Parent Liaison
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
How Special Education Parent Liaisons can assist caregivers in getting necessary supports

Graduation Pathways Toolkit
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Current Washington State graduation requirements

High School Credit Requirements
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Credit requirements based on graduation year

Washington State Exam Requirements
Source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
Required testing and approved alternate programs

Career Link High School Completion Program
Source: South Seattle College (SSC)
Free diploma completion through SSC

High School Equivalency Tests (GED)
Source: Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges
GED eligibility, practice, and testing requirements

WorkSource Washington
Source: WorkSource
Tools for finding employment

Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
Source: Department of Social & Health Services
Financial assistance to youth in foster care who attend accredited colleges, universities, or vocational or technical colleges

Governors’ Scholarship for Youth in Foster Care
Source: College Success Foundation
Financial assistance for youth in foster care interested in attending college

Washington State Opportunity Scholarship
Source: College Success Foundation
Support for low- and middle-income Washington State students to earn bachelor’s degrees in science, technology, engineering, math, and health care

Nitro College
Source: Nitro
An interactive tool that lets you sort through scholarships available for students with disabilities

American Indian Endowed Scholarship
Source: Washington Student Achievement Council
Educational scholarships for high-achieving, low-income Washington State students with close ties to an American Indian tribe or community

Foster Care to Success Casey Grant
Source: Casey Family
Undergraduate merit- and need-based scholarships for youth in foster care

theWashBoard.org Scholarship Match
Source: Washington Scholarship Coalition
Tool that connects Washington State students with scholarship providers

LGBTQ+ Scholarships
Source: Bestcolleges.com
A tool that connects LGBTQ+ students to possible scholarships

Transgender College Student Resource Guide
Source: EduBirdie.com
Resources that are specifically intended to help transgender students thrive.

Region 1: Spokane Public Library – Brainfuse HelpNow 

Free online tutoring for all ages. Get help with homework, submit a question, interact with a live tutor, form online study groups, practice standardized tests, send your paper to the writing lab and more. A Spokane Public Library card is required to access. You can apply for a SPL card here.  

Region 1: NCW Libraries (Wenatchee) – Help Now!  

Live tutors are available from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily to help youth ace their homework or prepare for the GED, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and AP exams. Tutores disponibles en español. Log in any time to access practice tests, submit your research paper or resume to the writing lab, prepare for the U.S. Citizenship test, advance your Microsoft Office skills, and more! También disponible en español.  Library card required, you can apply for one here.  

Region 3: Sno-Isle Libraries (Snohomish) – Brainfuse HelpNow  

Online tutors in every subject, writing help and more. Seven days a week, 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. A Sno-Isle Library card is required to access. You can apply for a Sno-Isle Library card here. 

Region 4: King County Library System – Tutor.com  

Get one-on-one, real-time tutoring. For students in grades K-12, entry-level college, and adult learners. Submit an essay, math problem, cover letter or resume for review. Prepare for the SAT, ACT, AP, or graduate school entrance exams. Get help with study skills for students and families. Available via chat and audio.  

Tutor.com is available 24/7 but real-time tutoring is only available from 2:00 p.m. to midnight daily. Access to Tutor.com requires a King County Library card. You can apply for a King County Library card here.  

Region 4: The Seattle Public Library – Tutor.com 

Live English and Spanish tutors are available from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Vietnamese tutors are available from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Log in to Tutor.com with a Seattle Public Library card or Library Link Number and PIN. To find out how to use your Seattle Public Schools student ID number, visit the Library Link page. You can apply for a Seattle Public Library card here.  

Region 5: Pierce County Library System – HelpNow Online Homework Help 

Online tutors are available every day from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., for one-on-one homework help. Live FAFSA help is also available. Go to Live Tutoring and under “select grade” choose FAFSA from the bottom of the list. The service is available in English or Spanish, for students of all ages. Online Homework Help requires a Pierce County Library card. You can apply for a library card here.  

Regions 1, 2, 3 & Region 6: If your local library does not offer free online tutoring, you can access Tutor.com by using the instructions provided here.