In the brief video below, Vanessa, age 21 and a college student in Connecticut, tells her courageous story. Vanessa was a foster child since she was four months old, and experienced over 20 placements and 10 school changes during that time. Her story illustrates why providing school stability for foster children is so crucial.

Watch the Windows Media video  if you have any trouble with the "flash" video below.

Please support the implementation of school stability this session!

As Vanessa's story demonstrates, foster children in Connecticut are frequently uprooted from their schools when they are removed from their families or shuffled between foster homes or institutions. These frequent changes are traumatic for foster children. When a foster child changes schools, not only does this child lose his or her parents and possibly siblings, but also the connections to classmates, teachers, coaches and school activities -- the aspects of life that create a sense of security, self-worth and belonging.
 
In October 2008, Congress passed federal legislation that requires states to provide school stability to foster youth by July 1, 2010.  DCF and child advocates have developed consensus language implementing the federal law. This law needs to be enacted this year so that implementation is as efficient and cost-effective as possible.

School disruptions have devastating short and long-term effects on the education, mental health and eventually, the life outcomes of foster children. Studies have shown that it takes a child approximately three to six months to recover academically from each school transfer, and some foster youth have more than 10 changes. When youth leave care without a diploma they are at great risk for joblessness, homelessness and perpetuating the cycle of poverty which puts so many children in foster care in the first place.

For more information on the issue please read:

• Our issue brief on school stability
• Our testimony on the issue
  • Education Committee testimony (PDF)
  • Human Services Committee testimony (PDF)