Page 78 - Superintendent Annual Report 24-25

SUPPORTING STUDENTS IN FOSTER CARE

The Foster Care Liaison Team, an integral component of the Department of Safe Schools, provides District-
wide support each year to over 1,100 students temporarily placed with a non-custodial parent, relative,
licensed foster home, temporary shelter, or one of twenty group homes. This support grants access to after-
school tutoring and targeted educational assistance, aimed at offering personalized supplemental instruction
that enhances academic achievement. District-certified teachers, serving as tutors, utilize effective strategies,
relevant materials, and data-driven approaches to improve student outcomes. Tutoring activities focus on skill
remediation and homework assistance through targeted instruction. Tutors also offer academic mentoring and
deliver computer-based lessons tailored to each student’s needs.

In FY25, the department provided academic support to Place of Hope and HomeSafe student residents through
its Foster Care Liaison Team. The department delivered educational assistance to eight group homes, four of
which were therapeutic. As a result, more than 100 student residents benefited from after-school tutoring facil-
itated by District-certified teachers. This comprehensive support, along with the distribution of backpacks,
uniforms, and supplies, ensured that the students fully participated in their educational experience.

TEEN MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID

Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) is an in-person training program that equips high school students with
the skills to identify and respond to mental health challenges and substance use concerns among their peers.
Students learn to follow a five-step action plan to support friends who may be experiencing crises. A central
component of the course emphasizes the importance of involving a trusted adult and addresses the impact
of school violence and bullying on student mental health. The program also teaches students to recognize
common signs and symptoms of mental health struggles and guides them in initiating supportive conversations
with their peers.

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing developed tMHFA training in response to research indicating that
adolescents are more likely to share personal challenges with peers than with adults. The course emphasizes
identifying patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that may suggest mental health concerns rather than
diagnosing specific conditions. As a result of a Department of Justice grant awarded in 2021, the Department of
Safe Schools successfully trained 4,370 tenth-grade students across 11 campuses in FY25. This initiative further
reinforces the District’s commitment to supporting student well-being; both academically and emotionally.