COVID-19 Information – Educational Stability for Children and Youth in Foster Care in Pennsylvania

COVID-19 Information

Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, expiring September 30, 2021, current and former foster youth may be eligible for pandemic relief funds. Visit Check for Us for more information, guidance, and eligibility. 

State and National Resources

On this page, the Center for Schools and Communities has compiled a listing of state and national resources to assist youth in foster care during the COVID-19 response.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education

2021 Back to School Newsletter – Educational Stability for Children and Youth in Foster Care in PA

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund

Pennsylvania ARP ESSER State Plan

Ensuring Educational Stability and Supporting the Education of Youth in Foster Care – Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Guide for the 2020-21 School Year

Ensuring Equity for Vulnerable Youth-Vulnerable Students Discussion Guide

Ensuring Educational Stability for Youth in Foster Care During COVID-19-Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Families (Child Abuse, Child Care, Equity and Inclusion, Food Resources, KinConnector and More)

COVID-19: Guidance and Resources for School Communities

Promoting Positive Learning Climates Online and at Home

Other State Resources

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services COVID-19 Page

The Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 Page

Keep Kids Safe-Reporting Child Abuse

COVID-19 Planning Tool for Transition-Aged Youth in Foster Care in PA

COVID-19 Response for College Students Who are Homeless or With Experience in Foster Care

Federal Resources

U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 Page

U.S. Children’s Bureau: COVID-19 Resources

U.S. Department of Education American Rescue Plan 

U.S Department of Education FAQ for American Rescue Plan Funds

National Foster Care and Education Resources

The Legal Center for Foster Care and Education (American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law):

Preparing for the New School Year During COVID-19: A Checklist for LEAs and Child Welfare Agencies

Factsheet: How Can LEAs Support Students in Foster Care During COVID-19?

Factsheet: How Child Welfare Agencies Help Students in Foster Care During COVID-19?

Factsheet: How Can Courts Support Educational Needs of Students in Foster Care During COVID-19?

Planning Checklist: 2020-2021 Student Transportation (Hop Skip Drive)

Trauma and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Remote Learning Free SEL Resources

CASEL: SEL 3 Signature Practices Playbook 

Teaching Tolerance: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus

Harvard University Center of the Developing Child: COVID-19 Resources

Sesame Street in Communities: Caring for Each Other during COVID-19

Child Trends: COVID-19

Healthy Children: Caring for Children in Foster Care during COVID-19

Children of Trauma: What Educators Need to Know

Responding to ACEs with HOPE: Health Outcomes from Positive Experiences

School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth 

How Teachers Counteract Adverse Childhood Experiences with Positive Ones

TED Talk: How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime

National Foster Care Organizations and Websites

National Foster Youth Institute: National Coronavirus Resources for Current/Former Foster Youth

Think of Us: Child Welfare COVID-19 Command Center

Foster Club: The COVID-19 Emergency

One Simple Wish: COVID-19 Response

Together We Rise: Responding to Coronavirus Impacting Foster Youth