The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Treehouse Educational Advocacy Program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Educational Interventions for Children and Adolescents in Foster Care, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

The Treehouse Educational Advocacy Program provides educational advocates who work with schools, social workers, relatives, foster families and foster youth to resolve difficult issues and remove barriers to foster youths’ school success. Advocates are co-located in child welfare offices around the state, which enables them to work directly with public child welfare social workers to include education in the daily case-planning of foster children. Educational Advocates:

• Help students access education-related support services, including special education.
  
• Prevent school changes when students’ home placements change.
  
• Pave the way for seamless transitions when school changes are unavoidable.
  
• Minimize the effects of disciplinary actions that keep students out of school.
  
• Assist high school youth in making up credits when necessary and identifying alternative high school programs to stay engaged and on track to graduate.
  
• Train caregivers, social workers and students themselves to advocate for students’ educational rights.

Target Population: Foster youth living in out of home care, PreK through 12th grades.

For children/adolescents ages: 0 – 19