Homelessness and foster care can create many barriers to accessing and participating in learning opportunities. But, with a knowledgeable and caring district support team, you can ensure that every child and youth experiencing homelessness in Washington state has access to the education and resources they need to end their homelessness and achieve their dreams. 

This foundational training is designed for Building Points of Contact who support students experiencing homelessness and/or students in foster care as well as school district McKinney-Vento and foster care liaisons. The session is open to all school staff who interact with students experiencing homelessness and/or students in foster care, and may be particularly helpful for principals, counselors, social workers, registrars, and administrative assistants. 

Participants will learn:

• The importance of building points of contact in program sustainability and strategies for selecting a building point of contact
• Resources for students of all ages experiencing homelessness and/or foster care
• Best practices in identification 
• Trauma informed approaches to cultivating connection and belonging for students experiencing homelessness and/or foster care
• Strategies for credit accrual
• Navigating FAFSA, graduation, and post-secondary education
• Where to go for help and other training opportunities 

According to state legislation, each K-12 public school in the state of Washington must establish a McKinney Vento and Foster Care building point of contact in each elementary school, middle school, and high school. These points of contact are responsible for identifying students experiencing homelessness or foster care and connecting them with the respective school district liaisons. (RCW 28A.320.142)

Please register for only ONE date, either February 1st or February 22nd (this training is being offered twice in order to accommodate the greatest number of participants)