Quick Tips for Caregivers September 2026
Beyond Backpacks and Pencils: 7 Ways to Support Foster and Kinship Youth as School Starts
Starting a new school year is a mix of excitement and anxiety for students of every grade as they transition from summer activities to unfamiliar routines. While these emotions are standard for any child, the transition is often compounded for youth in foster or kinship care. Changes in their environment, sense of self, and family grounding can make the back-to-school season feel overwhelming.
To help ease this transition, here are seven safe and practical ways to support youth attending school from homes they are still getting used to.
- Advocate for the student. Identify the district’s child welfare education liaison (CWEL) and lean into them to help advocate for any educational needs of the child or youth.
- Plan for unsettled moments. Build a simple plan so the student knows what to do at school if they feel overwhelmed.
- Connect with the school counselor. Ask about established protocols for using a designated safe place in the building when the child needs a quiet pause.
- Identify lived-experience mentors. Check in with the principal to see if any school staff are alumni of the child welfare system and willing to serve as a supportive adult resource.
- Engage the school nurse. Connect with the nurse as a key ally for physical wellness and sensory breaks.
- Use the library as a safe haven. Work with staff so the child can access the library as a quiet space for self-regulation.
- Share known triggers. Share any triggers and successful coping mechanisms to help the child regulate if triggered to help avoid misunderstandings and build a proactive support system.
