Treehouse Survey: Disengagement in School Grows for Youth in Foster Care Despite Technology and Basic Needs Largely Being Met
PR Newswire
SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2021
SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Treehouse education staff reporting on the needs of 1,175 youth in foster care served by the organization statewide show almost half of students at least somewhat disengaged from school as we enter the third semester of remote learning. The nonprofit partners with more than 7,800 youth in care, providing access to childhood experiences and critical resources as they plan for the future.
"We're at risk of losing a generation of kids in foster care to the pandemic," said Lisa Chin, Treehouse CEO. "Disengagement is growing. Forty percent of students in care served by Treehouse are only somewhat engaged in school, and 9% are completely disengaged. Youth placement and school changes are now double their levels from the spring. If youth aren't engaged in school—they don't graduate—which is a necessary milestone for a successful launch into adulthood and independence."
The survey, conducted in late November, also found 44% of our students in foster care need academic remediation, tutoring or homework assistance, and 36% of foster and relative caregivers need more support in meeting their youth's educational needs.
"Technology access was a big concern at the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Overall, we're doing well in addressing the technology challenges and fairly well in addressing basic needs," Chin said. "Mental health concerns are significant. I don't think that is surprising given what we're all individually experiencing. Significant barriers continue to persist for emerging multilingual students and youth of caregivers who don't speak English, and there are worrying trends with escalating placement and school changes. School districts appear to be doing better in meeting the special education needs of our students than at the beginning of school building closures, but improvement is still needed."
Additional survey results by category:
Technology:
Basic Needs:
Mental Health:
Special Education:
Placement Changes:
Treehouse urges a coordinated response from government, school and the community, and has been working with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to provide guidance and support to school districts. Treehouse also has been coordinating with the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), caseworkers and caregivers to meet the educational needs of children and youth in foster care across the state.
This is the third survey Treehouse has conducted since the pandemic started.
About Treehouse
Founded in 1988 by social workers, Treehouse is Washington's leading nonprofit organization addressing the academic and other essential support needs of more than 8,000 youth in foster care. We're committed to youth in care statewide achieving a degree or other career credential, living wage job and stable housing at the same rate as their peers. With fierce optimism, we fight the structural inequities that impact all of us. Learn more at http://www.treehouseforkids.org.
Media Contact:
Desiree Lindsay
desiree.lindsay@treehouseforkids.org
206.767.7000
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SOURCE Treehouse