Family Resources: Child Welfare System

CFSA Information for Parents and Caregivers

By: Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)

A list of frequently asked questions is provided on the following topics:

• "When Child Welfare Investigates your Family"
• "When Child Welfare Must Take your Child From Home"

Printable versions are provided at the end of the pages.

CFSA Information for Foster Parents

By: Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)

This page is designed for resource parents to find pertinent information—including CFSA’s Fostering Connections Newsletter (which is updated on a monthly basis).

This four page “important facts for resource parents” document may also be useful and contains contact information.

The District's Grandparent Caregiver Program

By: Children and Family Services Agency (CFSA) | April 2020

"The Grandparent Caregiver Program (GCP) helps low-income District residents who are raising their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-nieces, or great-nephews. Those who qualify may get money every month to help care for children living with them." This resource answers questions relating to this program. Additional information, including an application, can be found here.

Information & Resource Guide for Birth Parents Following the Removal of a Child

By: Children and Family Services Agency (CFSA)

The document begins with an overview of how and why CFSA removes children from their homes and a clickable table of contents is on page iii. The tools provided are clear and centered around providing tips and guides to birth parents. Contact information for supports and services begins on page 30.

Educational Stability for Foster Care Youth in the District of Columbia: Point of Contact Directory 

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) | Updated November 2019

OSSE provides a point of contact directory for the state agency points of contact at CFSA and OSSE and then LEA specific contacts.

Resources for Foster Parents

By: Annie E. Casey Foundation | May 2018

"There is no master playbook for foster parenting, but the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Child Welfare Strategy Group has identified 10 online resources aimed at helping caregivers succeed in this critical role."

Foster Care Transition Toolkit

By: U.S Department of Education | May 2016

“This toolkit serves to inspire and support youth currently in foster care and young adults who have aged out of care to pursue college and career opportunities.” Page 5 of the document provides a table of content to easily jump to a relevant topic. Information related to educational opportunities, job and career support, money management, housing, and taking care of one’s mental and physical health are collected.

Appendix A (page 58) lists national foster youth serving agencies and Appendix B (page 59) shares links to each state’s tuition waivers and vouchers (DC’s is on page 63).

Navigating the Child Welfare System as a Foster Parent

By: Child Welfare Information Gateway | May 2019

"Foster parents receive extensive training and guidance for their role — serving as caretakers and supporting the families of the children in their home. Still, the child welfare system is complex and can be difficult to navigate, even for seasoned resource parents. The following resources provide information that supports foster parents as they partner with caseworkers and birth parents to provide consistent care for children in their homes."

Resources for Early Learning

By: The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) | February 2021

The Resources for Early Learning provides extensive educational resources related to early child development to help "support adults who teach, nurture, and care for children from birth to age five." There are resources specific to educators, parents, and children. Each page will direct one to specific topics and skills that will have additional activities when clicked. The children’s section has “kid-approved” playlists which includes videos and interactive games.

Every Day Counts! For Community Members

By: Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education (DME)

The EDC! is designed to identify, address, and find solutions to improving attendance and reducing truancy across the District. They also provide four recorded informational tutorials on chronic absenteeism in D.C., citywide attendance policies, strategies to support improved attendance, and family engagement. This webpage also provides lists of resources related to a variety of topics.

Kids Ride Free Program

By: District Department of Transportation (DDOT) | 2020-2021

The Kids Ride Free (KRF) program allows students to ride for free on Metrobus, Metrorail, and the DC Circulator while traveling within the District.

To be eligible for participation in the KRF program, each student must be:

• A resident of the District of Columbia, and
• Age 5 through 21, and
• Enrolled in an elementary or secondary public, charter, private or parochial school located within the District, or a ward of DC through the foster care system.

Students will receive their cards from their LEA.

Practice Kit 06, Education Toolkit

By: DC's Children's Law Center | Updated August 2018

This practice kit contains a lot of information for D.C. and Prince George’s County Schools, including regulations, policies and practices related to enrollment, transportation, attendance and truancy, graduation, special education and more. Browse the main page to find relevant chapters.

Attendance and Truancy Resources

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

This document clearly outlines the D.C. Code, regulations, and protocols as it relates to attendance and truancy concerns. Commonly asked questions are dispersed throughout the document. Pages 8-9 provide parents tips for improving attendance issues with their student and the school, and page 12 shares a list of resources for parents and caregivers.

Students & Families

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

“OSSE is the state education agency for the District of Columbia. Among other roles, OSSE supports and oversees DC Public Schools and public charter organizations, administers District-wide assessments, transports students with disabilities to and from school, and provides leadership and coordination to ensure our earliest learners have access to a great early childhood education.”

Use this page to explore a variety of different topics.

Parent & Family Go-To-Guide

By: Office of the Student Advocate | 2019

This easy to navigate guide is a perfect resource for families across the District in becoming well informed about terminology, achievement and testing requirements, behavior, attendance, enrollment, special education and more. Pages 29-30 provide additional links to the State Board of Education's (SBOE) 400 additional resources and contact information.

Pre-K to Graduation: A Policy Guide for Families

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) | 2019-2020

“The Pre-K to Graduation: A Policy Guide for Families provides answers to frequently asked questions about topics including attendance, discipline, grading and promotion, credit recovery, and graduation.”

One may jump to the appropriate section by clicking on the items outlined on page 2.

DCPS Parent Resources

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) 

Visit DCPS’ page for resources on school and enrollment information, curriculum, immigration information, student athletics and activities, transportation, and policy and knowing your rights documents.

DCPS College Prep Programs

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS)

Use this page to navigate information about the college application process and financial aid information. See also this DCPS College Prep Checklist.

Online Education and Community Resource Guide

By: State Board of Education (SBOE) | Updated 2019

This webpage lists all the topics outlined in the complete Education and Community Resource Guide, which is a robust 85 pages. One is encouraged to browse through the topics of relevance where they will find lists of agencies and organizations, descriptions, and contact information.

Special Education Resource Hub: What Families & Students Need to Know this Year

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

OSSE has gathered resources and guidance for students and families in DCPS, DC Public Charter Schools and Nonpublic Special Education Schools. This guidance is available in seven different languages.

Rights of Parents of Students with Disabilities: IDEA Part B Notice of Procedural Safeguards

By: Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) | September 2018

This document (which comes in multiple languages) provides an array of details regarding a parent's or family's rights in ensuring their student's special education needs are met and in line with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and District of Columbia laws regarding special education. The document provides general information, complaint procedures, appeals information and other items that may be useful to parents and families.

This two-page brochure is a useful overview of the details outlined in the formal document and provides some key information regarding knowing your rights, the timeline for special education services, and other contact information. Further information and community resources are shared here.

Helpful Special Education Acronyms, Abbreviations and Definitions

By: Office of the Student Advocate

This two-page document is a great tool for students and families learning to navigate special education and related services in the District of Columbia.

Special Education Programs & Resources Guide for Families: School Year 2020-2021

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) | 2020

DCPS has prepared a useful document for parents with students who they believe would benefit from special education services. This document includes a timeline and expectations of the referral process and some commonly asked questions. Use the table of contents on page 3 to find the appropriate section. Contact information for the self-contained program types can be found on page 18 and related services on page 23. For additional information visit their webpage here.

Parent Guide to Independent Services

By: District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) | August 2020

This guide is designed to assist parents in understanding the necessary steps they must take in obtaining an independent educational evaluation (IEE). The guide also provides an overview of what parents and their student can expect during the evaluation process. Providers with their specific discipline are listed starting on page 10.

Advocacy Tips for Resource Parents

By: Foster and Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC)

This webpage provides a bulleted list of tips and contacts for resource parents.

A more thorough PDF on “how to advocate and get the help you need” can be accessed here.

Information and Advocacy Resources and Tools

By: State Board of Education (SBOE)

The main portal for the State Board of Education (SBOE) provides a plethora of resource topics, ranging from enrollment and graduation requirements to school discipline to advocacy.

Making Mental Health a Priority 

By: Children's Law Center (CLC) | May 2020

This brief blog post shares the work that CLC has been focusing on as it relates to supporting resource parents and families during the public health emergency. CLC, along with DC Map, and DC Behavioral Health Association, have created a COVID-19 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Resource Guide. 

There is a lot of information on this resource. The best way to navigate it is by choosing the appropriate "resource category" on the top (For example, Family Supports is located as number 5), this will then present a list of nonprofits and agencies and their COVID-19 specific supports. This document is regularly updated.

Special Education and Early Intervention Tips During COVID-19 Pandemic 

By: Alliance for Children's Rights

This brief five-page document provides tips for parents to advocate for their children's IEP needs during the public health emergency. Specific bulleted tips for speech and language therapy services (page 3), occupational therapy services (page 3), behavioral needs (page 4) and specialized academic instruction (SAI) (page 4) are shared.

Everybody Wins DC: COVID-19 Resources

By: Everybody Wins DC

This D.C. based organization has created a virtual shared reading library great for younger-aged students. They also share additional reading and writing activities, resources specifically for parents and guardians juggling COVID-19, and tools to promote socioemotional health during this challenging time.