Coordinating Education, Health, and Child Welfare Policy for Youth in Foster Care

Strategic Insights -

A comprehensive report from the Alliance for Excellent Education has highlighted the need for integrated systems of support to help youth in foster care thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The report, "Healthy Minds, Strong-Futures: Aligning Systems to Advance Adolescent Development for Youth in Foster Care," outlines a policy roadmap to strengthen coordination between education, health, and child welfare agencies, ensuring equitable access to trauma-informed schools, health, and mental health care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The report emphasizes the importance of adolescence as a critical period of growth, when the right supports can shape resilience, identity, and opportunity for youth in foster care.
  • Approximately 350,000 youth were in foster care in 2023, with many experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can negatively affect both health and educational outcomes.
  • Despite these challenges, research shows that 70% of youth in foster care aspire to attend college, demonstrating their resilience and potential.
  • The report recommends strengthening coordination between education, health, and child welfare agencies to ensure that young people have the stability, resources, and relationships they need to succeed.
  • Key policy recommendations include ensuring equitable access to trauma-informed schools and health, removing barriers to health care access, and leveraging existing policies to meet the health and education needs of youth in foster care.
  • The report also emphasizes the importance of creating learning opportunities that foster a sense of purpose and belonging for young people in foster care.
  • The Alliance for Excellent Education's recommendations aim to ensure that public systems meet their moral and legal obligations to these young people, rather than relying on fragmented programs.
  • The report was made possible through the generous support of the Stuart Foundation, which has committed to advancing equity and opportunity for all students.

Statistics:

  • 350,000 youth were in foster care in 2023 (All Alliance for Excellent Education report, 2025).
  • 70% of youth in foster care aspire to attend college (All Alliance for Excellent Education report, 2025).
  • The report highlights the need for policy changes to address the challenges faced by youth in foster care, who are more likely to experience multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that can negatively affect both health and educational outcomes.

Sources:

  • All4Ed Releases New Report on Coordinating Education, Health, and Child Welfare Policy to Support Youth in Foster Care (Alliance for Excellent Education, 2025)
  • https://all4ed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Foster-Youth-Final.pdf (Alliance for Excellent Education, 2025)
  • https://all4ed.org/press_release/all4ed-releases-new-report-on-coordinating-education-health-and-child-welfare-policy-to-support-youth-in-foster-care/ (Alliance for Excellent Education, 2025)