San Mateo County Foster Youth Services
A partnership between
San Mateo County Office of Education
and
San Mateo County Human Services Agency
Mission:
Foster Youth Services (FYS) is a program designed to serve the unique educational needs of children in foster care. Through our partnership with San Mateo Human Services agency, we seek to serve all youth in out-of-home placement including children living in foster homes, group homes, youth shelters, and residential treatment facilities.
FYS ensures that health and school records are obtained to establish appropriate placements and coordinate instruction, counseling, tutoring, mentoring, vocational training, emancipation services, training for independent living, and other related services.
FYS seeks to improve the children's educational performance and personal achievement, increasing the stability of placements for foster youth.
Welcome
This site is specifically designed for San Mateo foster parents, social workers, group home providers, CASAs, and shelter-care staff in San Mateo County to provide information and resources to support our foster youth's education.
We provide an Educational Success Handbook which serves as a layman's guide to enrolling your child in school, supporting them while in care, and preparing them for transition should they move to another placement.
Foster Youth Services is a program of the California Department of Education, resulting from Assembly Bill (AB) 490, effective 1/1/2004. Our Program seeks to improve educational outcomes for foster youth by establishing a level of collaboration and communication between schools, social service agencies, and foster youth caretakers that previously did not exist.
Educational liaisons are advocates who work to address the educational issues involved with foster youth, and who ensure and facilitate the proper enrollment into appropriate educational programs (Ed Code 48853.5). Additionally, liaisons provide the following services:
- Consultation regarding educational issues
- Gather educational records
- Evaluate transcripts
- Advocate for foster youth and their families on educational issues
- Assist with educational transitions
- Provide resources and referrals
- Provide training to local education agencies, group homes, social services, and probation on educational issues affecting foster youth
Foster Youth Services in San Mateo County is a partnership between San Mateo County Office of Education and Human Services Agency, and works in collaboration with multiple agencies and non-profit organizations across our county. See a list of county partners here.
Dorothy Burge, M.Ed., P.P.S.
Educational Liaison
dburge@co.sanmateo.ca.us
Phone: 650-312-5573
Fax: 650-571-9316
Renee Vorrises, M.S.W., P.P.S.
Educational Liaison
rvorrises@co.sanmateo.ca.us
Phone: 650-312-5585
Fax: 650-571-9316
For more information:
San Mateo Foster Youth Services