Foster Care Youth

Foster Care Children
A foster care student is defined as any student who is residing in a licensed or approved foster care setting authorized by the Children's Division or its partner agencies. Ritenour School District recognizes that students in foster care face educational challenges.  We are committed to the identification, needs assessment and enrollment of foster care children living within the school district.   Our goal for foster care students is to provide educational stability and remove barriers in order to support academic excellence.   In order to achieve this, Ritenour School District works collaboratively with Children's Division (CD) of the Missouri Department of Social Services, foster parents, and past or current school districts and/or residential settings where the student attended school. 

Enrollment of Foster Care Children
Prior to a foster student enrolling in the Ritenour School District, a Best Interest Determination (BID) meeting needs to occur.  The Ritenour School District Foster Care Liaison will be a part of a meeting to determine which placement is in the best interest of the student.  The meeting will also include a representative from CD, and a representative(s) from the school of origin or residence.  Other individuals in attendance may include the parents/guardians and student, if appropriate; and any other person requested by the student.  Child-centered criteria, including safety issues, educational programs, student needs, proximity to school as well as other factors, are discussed by the team members to determine the best educational placement for the child.  If the BID team cannot reach a consensus regarding the best placement, the representative from the CD will make the final determination.

If you would like additional information about enrollment or the BID process, please visit the DESE's Foster Care website.

The Ritenour School District  Foster Care Liaison will provide assistance regarding all aspects of the enrollment, placement, transfer, and withdrawal of children in foster care and serve as the point of contact for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the CD.

Foster Care Dispute Resolution Process

Ritenour School District Foster Care Liaison:
Julie Hahn
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services
hahnj@ritenourschools.org
314-493-6086