Fostering Educational Success Research Study

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Supporting Youth Education

The transition from foster care can be challenging for both children and families. Fostering Educational Success is a program that offers support to youth and caregivers during this time. Its mission is to help students succeed by improving their education and supporting their growth after foster care.

The program focuses on three key areas:

  1. School Connectedness: Helping students build positive relationships with their school and feel like they belong.
  2. Academic Engagement: Encouraging active participation and keeping students on track with their learning.
  3. Family Cohesion: Strengthening family dynamics by providing guidance and resources to create a stable, supportive home environment.

Each student partners with a Family Coach who actively collaborates with them, their caregivers, and their school to support their success.

Jacqueline Huscroft-D’Angelo, Alexandra Hamilton, and KVC’s own Emily Kunkle are thrilled to share that they have published their pilot study article on Fostering Educational Success! Check out the article here.

Fostering Educational Success Research Study

We invite you to participate in our 9-month research study examining the impacts of the Fostering Educational Success program. If you choose to participate, your family will be randomly placed in either the treatment group or the control group. The treatment group will complete surveys and receive FES services. The control group will complete surveys and access traditional community-based services. Both groups will earn gift cards for survey completion. 

Make a Referral

 

Fostering Educational SuccessStudy Eligibility 

Know a family who may want to participate in the study? Participants must meet the following criteria:

  1. English-speaking
  2. Live within 60 miles of Lincoln or Omaha
  3. Youth is enrolled in elementary through secondary school settings ages 7-19
  4. Youth has a history of foster care involvement
  5. Committed caregiver who is willing to participate in FES
  6. Moving towards permanency of guardianship, independent living, adoption, reunification or educational neglect cases.

The Fostering Educational Success (FES) Program brochure explains our program and our partners. The Caregiver Flyer provides information for those considering enrollment. Our Pilot Impact Report shows the positive difference we’ve made for youth and families.

Refer a Student to the Fostering Educational Success Study

Please complete this form to make a referral to the Fostering Educational Success research study.

Make a Referral

 

Questions? Contact FES and Clinical and Prevention Services Supervisor Emily Kunkle, MSW at ekunkle@kvc.org.

Safe & Connected™ Practice Model

The Safe & Connected™ practice model is KVC’s evidence-based, trauma-informed framework that prioritizes strong partnerships with families. It guides teams through inclusive assessments, critical thinking and collaborative decision-making to prevent adversity, ensure safety and build resilience for youth, individuals and families.

By focusing on meaningful engagement rather than one-time interventions, the model supports health, wellness and long-term wellbeing. It empowers families to participate in decisions, encourages early and family-centered support and creates a culture of learning dedicated to equity and positive outcomes for all.

Program Partners

This program is part of a collaboration between KVC Nebraska, researchers at the Oregon Research Institute (ORI) and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. This program was awarded a grant (U411C220201) from the United States Department of Education.

Oregon Research Institute (ORI)

Oregon Research Institute (ORI) upholds a strong commitment to scientific freedom and excellence. They provide a thriving, collegial research community for early career scientists and seasoned researchers alike. The multi-disciplinary expertise of ORI’s investigators promotes dynamic collaborations and cutting-edge science.

 

University of Nebraska Medical Center

The University of Nebraska Medical Center is the professional and scientific home of brilliant researchers who work at the forefront of fields like transplant medicine, cancer, neurodevelopment and genomics. With collaboration from a highly engaged community of skilled professionals and access to world-class facilities, UNMC researchers identify and focus on critical questions that lead to new knowledge and life-changing therapies.

Additional Resources

FAQs about participating in the Fostering Educational Success (FES) Research Study

We are researching the efficacy of the FES program designed to help youth transitioning from foster care improve their education, feel connected to school and strengthen family support.  

No, FES is free for eligible families.

To refer a family, complete the referral form. You will be contacted within 2 business days.

Yes! Families can enroll in FES during the early stages of permanency. If you have any questions, please contact FES and Clinical and Prevention Services Supervisor, Emily Kunkle, MSW at ekunkle@kvc.org. 

Yes! Families can enroll in FES up to 6 months after they have achieved permanency.

Yes, FES supports educational neglect cases. 

Nine months

  • If in the treatment group, participants meet with their Family Coach 1-2 times a week at home, school or in the community. 
  • If in the control group, you will complete 4 surveys over 15 months. 

Families will be randomly assigned to either the treatment or control group. The treatment group receives FES services and completes surveys, while the control group has access to traditional services and completes surveys. Both groups earn gift cards for completing survey. 

Yes, all participants and their caregivers are informed about the research process. They give consent and can ask questions. We ensure families understand how their participation contributes to the study. 

No, participation in the research study is voluntary. 

FAQS about the Fostering Educational Success program

The program helps youth transition from foster care improve their education, feel connected to school and strengthen family support. Family Coaches provide personalized help to ensure students succeed. 

On average, caregivers and youth meet with their Family Coach 1-2 times a week for 45–90-minute meetings.  

Family Coaches meet with caregivers and youth at home, school or in the community.

  • Attend IEP’s, 504’s, SAT meetings  
  • Advocate for educational rights 
  • College and career preparation 
  • School and community resource navigation 
  • Family bonding, boundaries and monitoring 
  • And much more! 

Family Coaches teach the Strengthening Families Program, which includes 11 videos and workbook exercises focused on bonding, boundaries and monitoring. Family Coaches also use a modified version of Check & Connect, which is a drop-out prevention program. 

Goals include improving school connectedness, academic engagement, family communication, home-school relationships and school success.