Foster Care Program
Mrs. Niki Mincey
Dawson County Schools Foster Care Contact
(706) 265 - 3246 Ext. 1736
[email protected]
The Georgia Department of Education is required to ensure the educational stability of children in foster care. (ESEA section 1111(g)(1)(E)). In coordination with state and tribal child welfare agencies, the Department must ensure that it's Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) implement the Title I educational stability requirements for children in foster care, including ensuring that:
- A child in foster care remains in his or her school of origin, unless it is determined that remaining in the school of origin is not in that child's best interest;
- If it is not in the child's best interest to stay in his or her school of origin, the child is immediately enrolled in the new school even if the child is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment; and
- That the new (enrolling) school immediately contacts the school of origin to obtain relevant academic and other records. (ESEA section 1111(g)(1)(E)(i)-(iii)).
An LEA must implement its plan to ensure educational stability for children in care. For the best interest of the children in care, LEAs follow all mandated regulations under FERPA and keep the status of these children confidential.