|
Back-to-school season is here! Big thanks to Ticket to Dream, local Starbucks stores, our great friends like Marlo are bringing smiles to our kids' faces. The entire KIDS MATTER team has been working hard to ensure every foster and kinship child we serve is ready to return to the classroom with the supplies they need. While celebrating the joy and supporting the nervous butterflies of back to school season, the truth is that we can use school supplies all year long.
Children in foster care switch schools twice as often as their peers, which can disrupt learning and vital social connections. 30 to 50% of foster youth receive special education services – nearly three times the rate of other students. While 99% of our KIDS MATTER CASA youth graduate from high school, the overall foster youth graduation rate is still too low. Fewer than 65% of foster youth graduate from high school by age 21. Foster and kinship kids are as talented and smart as all other children.
The lack of stable placements and high rates of school disruption have a serious impact on our kids. As Amanda M. told our Executive Director, “How many times can anyone read “To Kill a Mockingbird?” By Junior year, she had the same English program three times in three different schools, but missed whole sections of math.
One problem – not enough CASA volunteers! If you want to make a difference – consider becoming a CASA volunteer! [More information below.] Hold a school supply drive. There are always so many ways to help and get involved.
| 
