This course is designed for school district foster care liaisons, school counselors and other staff who work with students in foster care. The training will provide an overview of the ESSA requirements related to school stability for students in foster care, including collaboration between school districts and child welfare. Participants will also learn about additional supports with presenters from Treehouse, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), Mockingbird Society and Apple Health Coordinated Care. This free workshop will include presentations from OSPI staff.

Peggy Carlson is currently serving as the Foster Care Program Supervisor at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Portland State University and has over twenty years’ experience advocating for vulnerable youth. Her previous roles include District McKinney-Vento Liaison, Foster Parent Recruitment/Retention Specialist, and Director of a nonprofit camp for foster youth. Peggy is certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid and trained in School Mobilization Assistance Response.