On December 10, 2016, President Obama signed new provisions under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The act is the guiding source for educational stability of children in foster care. Changes under ESSA require children placed in foster care to receive immediate enrollment in schools deemed to be in their best interest. Together with districts and child welfare agencies, Buncombe County Schools coordinates enrollment, transfer of records, and transportation. 

On average, Buncombe County Schools serve over 120 students placed in foster care. Despite the reason for being foster placed, under ESSA the Buncombe County Schools support educating every child while working to address barriers impeding academic success.

Our dedicated Foster Care Liaison assists with:

• Best Interest Determination (BID) to determine appropriate school option

• addressing barriers to attendance and academic success

• obtaining needed documents

• social, emotional and behavioral supports

• IEP/504 support

• transportation

• other supportive services as needed for youth placed in care

If you have a foster placed student in your home or preparing to receive a foster placed student, please contact Shannon Boyd, McKinney-Vento and Foster Care Coordinator at 828-775-1898 or send an email to shannon.boyd@bcsemail.org.