THE iGRAD PROJECT

 

The iGrad program is designed to help students ages 15 and over in SRS custody and in out-of-home placements meet their educational goals including graduating with their peers. Education liaisons from Keys for Networking and Families Together work closely with foster care providers, schools, families (both resource and biological), and education advocates to obtain and have readily available educational records for  youth. These records will include all of the education paperwork need to enroll students in schools. The education liaisons are also available to advocate for the youth  to help support them in their education, if necessary.

 

ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED

Nationally, only 54% of youth in foster care of transition age obtain a high school diploma or GED (National Foster Care Month, 2006).  In September 2007, there were approximately 2,500 youth in foster care ages 15 and over in Kansas. If Kansas statistics mirror national norms, only 1,350 of these 2500 are expected to graduate or obtain a GED.

 Frequent school and placement changes make continuity of academic planning for high school challenging. There is a loss of supports and information each time a student changes schools or placements.   Important information, such as grade reports, school attendance records, assessments, Individualized Education Programs and Section 504 Plans are not always readily available when a student enrolls in a new school.

 By offering a clearinghouse of records, the iGrad program assists in these issues and also supports and advocates for youth to help them achieve their academic goals.

 

PROJECT FEATURES

The iGrad project features a partnership between Keys for Networking and Families Together, Inc. under the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

 Our goal is to inform and educate youth, advisors, and service providers from child welfare and the public education systems to work together to support the youth in Kansas. Keys for Networking and Families Together provide educational liaisons to assist youth by tracking credit histories, capturing missing transcript data, and training the youth to advocate for themselves.  Staff examine the array of federal and state supports and programs available in the area in which the student resides. Education liaisons work with planning teams for each youth to review the educational records. Keys for Networking and Families Together, Inc. are available to assist all parties involved in the youth's education.

FAMILIES TOGETHER & KEYS FOR NETWORKING

 

Serving youth in SRS Custody ages 15 and over. A partnership between Kansas Department of Social Rehabilitation Services, Keys for Networking, and Families Together, Inc.

Keys for Networking

1-800-499-8732

Youth in General Education

 

Families Together, Inc.

1-800-264-6343

Youth receiving special education services, Section 504 accommodations or in need of an initial evaluation to determine eligibility for services.

 PROJECT OUTCOMES

 

  • Increase graduation rates for youth in foster care.

  • Improve the timeliness of youth graduating from secondary schools.

  • Increase the percentage of youth in foster care who meet their educational goals.

  • Prepare youth for further education, employment, and independent living.