Teaching the Teachers: Foster Care Alumni Shape Education Reform

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

South LA County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

Youth from foster care in L.A. County face significant educational disparities: a 67.3% graduation rate (vs. 86.6% countywide), a 28.8% dropout rate (vs. 11.1%), and a 65.0% school stability rate (vs. 90.4%). Suspension rates for foster youth in Grades 7–12 are 16.2%, compared to 3.0% for all students, which directly impacts their academic outcomes. Our published research indicates these disparities are driven in part by educators’ implicit biases, shaped by negative media portrayals and low expectations. Many educators are unaware of how these biases influence disciplinary practices and academic engagement. Peace4Kids proposes a solution: training educators using a model led by foster care alumni. This peer-informed approach builds awareness, reduces bias, and fosters more supportive learning environments. Ultimately our project is aiming to improve graduation, stability, and behavioral outcomes for youth from foster care.

Peace4Kids’ Heart-Centered Learning is a two-part professional development course designed to transform how educators support youth from foster care. Built on lived experience and grounded in research, the curriculum helps educators understand the impact of ACEs and toxic stress, uncover implicit biases, and adopt trauma-informed, evidenced-based, culturally responsive strategies. In Part 1 (Heart-Centered Justice), educators complete self-paced modules and live Zoom sessions co-led by trained foster care alumni. This culminates in an in-person practice session using the HAVS, a lived experience designed communication tool. Those who complete Part 1 may advance to Part 2 (Heart-Centered Connections), a retreat-based program co-developed with Dr. Niki Elliott, at the University of San Diego. This training program integrates neurobiology, mindfulness, polyvagal theory, and embodied equity. Certified foster care alumni co-facilitate these sessions. Over the next year, we will engage 100 educators and assess its impact on school stability, attendance, and discipline, aiming to shift educator mindset. Our alumni have recognized that the burden has consistently been on the youth to settle their nervous systems for learning. Through focusing on the adults in the education space we foster safer, more supportive learning environments.

If this project is successful, it will make Los Angeles County a model for trauma-informed, equity-driven education led by foster care alumni. Educators will engage youth, across the diversity spectrum, with empathy and effective evidenced-based tools. This will produce increased graduation and stability rates as well as fewer suspensions and expulsions. Classrooms will shift from places of discipline to spaces of healing and connection. As foster care alumni train educators, public perception will evolve as youth in foster care will be seen as resilient instead of broken. Broader youth-serving systems will recognize youth in foster care as leaders, not liabilities. After 27 years of service, Peace4Kids believes this model will have the longest sustainable impact. This approach will build safer, more supportive schools and a more just system for all youth impacted by foster care.