Advocacy Services

For youth involved in the dependency system, having a solid education is their best hope - in some cases, their only hope - of achieving independence and success in adulthood.  A quality education builds on a foundation of educational continuity and school stability.  Unfortunately, too many children in foster care experience multiple placement changes, and changes in home placement frequently result in a change in school placement. Every school change has a significant impact on a student’s education.  Whenever students enter a new school, they must adapt to different curricula, different expectations, new friends, and new teachers. A stable school environment provides children with opportunities to develop positive relationships with supportive and caring teachers, school counselors, and classmates. These relationships, and an established school routine, often provide a measure of protection from the disruption and uncertainty associated with out-of-home care. Hence, both school stability and uninterrupted attendance are necessary.

The Educational Liaison works to address the educational issues involved with foster youth, assures that the foster youth gets the supports he or she needs in order to be successful in school, and ensures and facilitates the proper enrollment into appropriate educational programs in Riverside County (Ed Code 48853.5).

Educational Advocacy Volunteer Program

Anyone who is 18 years old or older and has no conflict of interest concerning the child’s education may serve as an educational representative. An interview, criminal record check and child abuse or neglect check are required. In addition the applicant must receive 20 hours of training in 10 different areas:  Orientation; Educational Advocacy; Child Growth, Development, and Learning; Cultural Diversity & Sensitivity; Special Education Law & Procedures; California Education Law; Educational Representative Reports & Procedures; CPS101; Educational Systems; and Outside Agencies and Community Resources.  Training is provided on a quarterly basis and volunteers are given the flexibility to schedule training opportunities around their personal schedules, thus allowing for convenient access to complete pre-service requirements. 

• Educational Representative FAQ Brochure
• Educational Representative Program Brochure
• Educational Representative Training Requirements
• Educational Representative Training Schedule and Registration 
• RCOE Educational Liaison Pyramid of Services
• Volunteer Application

For more information please contact:
Marcella A. Tarpley, Foster Youth Educational Liaison
951-358-7008
Fax:  951-358-5606
mtarpley@rcoe.us