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Spotlight on: Advocacy for Outcomes

Treehouse

The Challenge

In Washington there are approximately 5,500 school-aged children in foster care. Educational outcomes for these children and youth are dismal. Only 30% of Washington’s foster youth graduate from high school with a diploma while another 10% obtain their GED. Foster youth must change schools frequently when their foster home placement changes and are less likely than their peers to progress to the next grade level. Often there is no one advocating on the behalf of foster children to make sure they receive the educational supports and services they need in order to succeed. Foster youth need assistance in accessing educational services, enrolling promptly in a new school after moving from one foster home to another, and gaining information about college preparation and post-graduation opportunities.

What They Do

Treehouse makes a difference in the lives of foster children by providing services that enhance their ability to succeed in their educational pursuits. Tutoring, educational advocacy, and college preparation help foster youth overcome the obstacles they face every day.

The newly implemented Educational Advocacy Saturation Project is developing a cadre of educational advocates for foster children and youth across Washington. The specialized curriculum is used to train and support networks of trainers, who in turn share the tools, information and strategies of educational advocacy for foster youth with foster parents, CASA volunteers and interested community members.

Progress to Date

• 24 diverse and experienced trainers from across the state have been hired and trained.
• Trainings for educational advocates were launched in February 2009 at foster parent support groups and a statewide education conference.
• At a recent Educational and Vocational Summit, 85 caregivers were trained as educational advocates.

 

Click on the video below to view a Channel 5 news story highlighting the work of Treehouse:

 

Three Grades in One Year: Fostering Educational Success

by New Day Producers

 

Foster youth Tyler Cormier, 16, talks to "New Day" about making up three grades in one year with the help of his educational advocate, Rob Credle. Wash. State Rep. Ruth Kagi (D) of the 32nd Legislative District talks about her quest to fund it.