Legal & Ethical Padlet: Working With Students in Foster Care by Kori Stewart https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax Kori Stewart en-us 2021-06-14 20:24:50 UTC 2026-02-20 09:57:02 UTC hello@padlet.com 1. Working With Students in Foster Care bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651522639 The perspective for this topic is that of a professional school counselor educating and informing teachers and other school staff of my campus Long Early Learning Center.  The Texas Education Agency (n.d.) reports that in the state of Texas approximately "16,000 school-age students are in foster care at any given time," suggesting that a large population of children in the public school system necessitate an understanding of the complex legal and ethical rights that accompany their circumstances (para. 1).  This statistic underscores the need for greater awareness of school staff regarding what working with students in foster care requires.

Reference
Texas Education Agency, (n.d.). Foster care and student success. Retrieved July 15, 2021 from https://tea.texas.gov/academics/special-student-populations/foster-care-and-student-success/foster-care-student-success

]]> 2021-07-15 19:13:08 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651522639 2. Professional in Practice Interview: Rosemary Hollingsworth, LPC bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651522992 Balancing legal and ethical obligations is not new territory for Rosemary Hollingsworth.  An established and long serving Licensed Professional Counselor, Hollingsworth only recently shifted her practice to school counseling.  Hollingsworth herself is an adoptive parent and a specialist in parenting and family conflict among other things, so she has a very unique and profound perspective with respect to working with children in foster care.  She points to the diverse neurodevelopmental challenges and experiences of adversity that affect the social and academic progress of this population and stresses that educators must be adept in meeting their needs in order for them to thrive in school and in life (R. Hollingsworth, personal communication, July 16, 2021).  She asserts that some best practices when working with these students include:training on trauma and trauma informed care, gaining awareness around how trauma impacts brain development, and developing consciousness involving adult  preparedness in educating and supporting children in foster care (R. Hollingsworth, personal communication, July 16, 2021).  A emerging issue identified by Hollingsworth that will continue to have a far-reaching and lasting effect on students in foster care and the broader scope of education in general is the COVID-19 pandemic (R. Hollingsworth, personal communication, July 16, 2021).  She states that consequences from the loss of or removal from primary caregivers will reverberate throughout students in foster care and the systems which they interact (R. Hollingsworth, personal communication, July 16, 2021).  Hollingsworth continues to grow in her work and her practice through providing and attending training relevant to working with students in foster care that encompasses trauma, trauma informed care, and legal and ethical duties (R. Hollingsworth, personal communication, July 16, 2021).  Moreover, she follows litigation such as the recent decision placing a third party representative in management of the oversight of a child once in placement that influences both the school and home life of the students in her charge (R. Hollingsworth, personal communication, July 16, 2021).  The insight provided by Mrs. Hollingsworth highlights the importance of continued recognition of relevant and timely issues, changing and evolving legal issues, best practices and effective classroom strategies, and a continuum of care that extends across the schools and communities.

Rosemary Hollingsworth, LPC
Mental Health Coordinator
Long Early Learning Center
rosemary.hollingswor@abileneisd.org
325 671-4594]]> 2021-07-15 19:13:43 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651522992 3. Professional Association Resource bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651525563 The following article by Martinez et al. (2020) illustrates how counselors utilize a trauma  informed care approach to best meet the needs of students in foster care through a multi-tiered system of support.  In this system, school staff receive training in creating trauma sensitive classrooms and gain awareness of how they can work cooperatively with counselors to improve academic performance and increase safety for students in foster care .

Reference
Martinez, R., Gavin Williams, R., & Green, J. (2019). The role of school counselors delivering a trauma-Informed care approach to supporting youth in foster care. Professional School Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X20947747

]]> 2021-07-15 19:17:33 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651525563 4. Current News bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651526116 In the article linked below K-12 Dive Senior Writer Linda Jacobsen (2018) identifies how specific and targeted support for students in foster care under the Every Student Succeeds Act is making an impact.

Reference
Jacobsen, L. (2018). States taking steps to improve services for students in foster care.  Retrieved July 17, 2021 from https://www.k12dive.com/news/states-taking-steps-to-improve-services-for-students-in-foster-care/515064/

]]> 2021-07-15 19:18:25 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651526116 5. Current News bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651526246 As mentioned by LPC and Mental Health Coordinator Rosemary Hollingsworth, the COVID - 19 pandemic has had damaging effects for all students and potentially even more damaging for students in foster care.  The following article demonstrates why in this moment prioritizing school stability for these vulnerable students is so vital.  The article further identifies key issues, gives effective strategies, and specifies key roles in meeting the critical growing needs of students in foster care during this time.

Reference
American Bar Association, (2021). Supporting school stability for children in foster care during covid-19 and beyond.  Retrieved July 17, 2021 from https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/child_law/education-stability.pdf

]]> 2021-07-15 19:18:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651526246 6. Statutory Law bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651526940 Texas Education Code, 2 Tex. Educ. Code § 29.153
  • This code is especially relevant early childhood as it stipulates cost free pre-kindergarten to all children in foster care services (Texas Education Code, 2 Tex. Educ. Code § 29.153)

Reference
Texas Education Code, 2 Tex. Educ. Code § 29.153 (2019).
]]> 2021-07-15 19:19:35 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651526940 7. Judicial Law bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527115 Fulton v. City of Pennsylvania, 593 U.S. __ (2021)
  • The Supreme Court ruled in this case that the city of Philadelphia violated the free exercise clause of the First Amendment in their refusal to contract with foster care provider Catholic Social Services because of their refusal to place children with same-sex parents (Walsh, 2020)
  • Educationally, this creates discord between the laws that protect against LGBTQ+ discrimination and religious institutions that seek exemption from these laws because of their religious beliefs (Walsh, 2020).
  • This decision could have implications for religion based private schools (Walsh, 2020).

References
Fulton v City of Pennsylvania, 593 U.S. __ (2021) https://www.oyez.org/cases/2020/19-123
Walsh, M. (2020).  Supreme court leans toward support for catholic agency in foster care case.  Retrieved July 17, 2021 from https://www.edweek.org/education/supreme-court-leans-toward-support-for-catholic-agency-in-foster-care-case/2020/11



]]> 2021-07-15 19:19:49 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527115 8. Administrative Law bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527526 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1611
  • This code specifically addresses transition assistance for students in foster in care (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1611).

Reference
19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1611 (2020).
]]> 2021-07-15 19:20:11 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527526 9. Constitutional Law bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527840 Tex. Const. art. 7 § 1
  • Article 7, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution calls for the Texas legislature to create and develop sufficient provision to maintain a free public school system for all (Tex. Const. art. 7 § 1).

Reference
Tex. Const. art. 7 § 1

]]> 2021-07-15 19:20:36 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527840 10. Local Administrative Law/Policy bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527943 The Abilene Independent School District Student/Parent Handbook (2020) asserts the rights of students in foster care to have district assistance throughout registration and the duration of their enrollment with access to pertinent educational services. 

This policy was chosen as it directly impacts students in foster care and demonstrates to them the district's intention to be involved and invested in their outcomes, both academically and in terms of their well-being, from their entry into AISD forward.

Reference
Abilene Independent School District. (2020). Abilene independent school district 2020-2021 parent/student handbook. Retrieved July 15, 2021 from https://www.abileneisd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-2021-Parent-Student-Handbook-1.pdf]]> 2021-07-15 19:20:44 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651527943 11. Ethical Principle bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651528808 American School Counselors Association (2016) code A.10.f. states that counselors must "Advocate for the equal right and access to free, appropriate public education for all youth, in which students are not stigmatized or isolated based on their housing status, disability, foster care, special education status, mental health or any other exceptionality or special need" (p. 5). 

This particular standard affirms the ethical duty of a school counselor to ensure that students in foster care understand their rights and to support them in navigating  transitions and placement.  It further asserts that school counselors must also work as facilitators and collaborators in connecting and communicating with relevant agencies and resources in service of these students.

Reference
American School Counselors Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school standards. Retrieved July 15, 2021 from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf.]]> 2021-07-15 19:21:47 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651528808 12. Personal Connection bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651529052 After a thorough study of legal and ethics it is clear that every step in my academic journey has been shaped by some form of educational law, and that it continues to do so today.  From being a student, to being a professional, taxpayer, and now even as a parent of school age and college students it is inextricably woven throughout my life.  Now, with a greater awareness of how important it is to have knowledge of and consciousness around the four types of law and their evolving issues I know better how to source it and apply it in my work and in my life.  Ethical and legal comprehension essentially  serves as the foundation for the education system.  I feel as though this makes me a more complete professional.  In this exercise I have learned that this knowledge will serve me as I work in my role as a campus leader and facilitator. with students, such as those in foster care, families impacted by separation, staff who might have been in the system or care for foster children, and the community. resources that provide for the education, health, and mental health of students in foster care.]]> 2021-07-15 19:22:08 UTC https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651529052 13. Recommendations bradnkori https://padlet.com/bradnkori/ixxw2u5xcbw4lax/wish/1651529894 Some best practices when working with students in foster care include:
  • Developing  a classroom environment that creates a felt sense of safety (Alber, 2019)
  • Providing students with opportunities for choice and autonomy (Alber, 2019)
  • Strengthening connections through your interactions (Alber, 2019)
  • Integrating opportunities for social emotional learning and self-regulation practice (Alber, 2019)
  • Not asking, but being open to their disclosure of being in foster care and responding with attentiveness and empathy (Alber, 2019)
  • Being knowledgeable about current issues facing students in foster care and how they are impacted 
  • Understanding legal and ethical duties and responsibilities in the service of students in foster care
  • Pursuing opportunities for training and professional development related to working with children in foster care

Reference
Alber, R. (2019). Supporting students living in foster care. Retrieved July 17, 2021 from https://www.edutopia.org/article/supporting-students-living-foster-care 



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