Improving school stability: An exploratory study of the work of the AB 490 liaisons in California

This exploratory study examined the effectiveness of the provision of California Assembly Bill (AB) 490 that required each local education agency to designate a foster care education liaison to ensure proper school placement and facilitate enrollment and transfer of school records. Survey responses by 94 liaisons from throughout California identified continuing barriers to the implementation of the law as well as areas of progress being made to better support foster children and youth as they move through school. Recommendations by the liaisons for improving their effectiveness included the need for more collaboration with the child welfare agency, increased time to dedicate to the position, more opportunities for networking with other liaisons, and more involvement in decisions affecting foster youth.