Our Story
The California Foster Youth Education Task Force (CFYETF) was created in 2004 to address critical issues related to foster youth education. Subject matter experts representing more than 35 organizations and agencies, including the CDSS and DOE, Casey Family Programs, the California Youth Connection, and the Child & Family Policy Institute of California came together to bring greater attention to improving the disparate educational outcomes for students in foster care and increased information-sharing across systems at the state and local levels.
The purpose of the Task Force is to support successful educational outcomes for California's students in foster care by increasing awareness of the student's educational needs, promoting best and promising practices, and promoting policy improvements and reforms across educational, child welfare, and juvenile and family court systems.
Our goals include educational stability for students in foster care, seamless education transitions in the event of school changes, high quality educational experiences and successful transition to post-secondary education and/or career technical education.
Our Chairs
The Task Force has three co-chairs, as agreed upon by the membership of the CFYETF. Our chairs provide leadership by planning and facilitating monthly meetings, coordinating with related efforts and encouraging member participation and engagement.
Children Now
Danielle Wondra
"The CFYETF facilitates collaboration across fields and systems serving students in foster care, which is crucial to developing strategies to remove barriers to their educational success. With the collective experience and expertise of the CFYETF, we can truly make a difference in improving educational outcomes for youth in foster care."
Kern County Office of Education
Curt Williams
"Overcoming challenging circumstances and hardships as a teenager and young adult I found a natural passion for serving at promise youth. Serving youth in foster care for over 25 years has taught me they are the community’s children and we must do our best so our children have the opportunity to be their best. "
California Department of Education
Deborah Avalos
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