United Way of Central Massachusetts Supports Care of Foster Children
United Way of Central Massachusetts made a gift for the second consecutive year to support the Education Navigator Program within the Foster Children Evaluation Service (FaCES) Clinic at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
FaCES provides medical evaluations to children entering foster care in Massachusetts. The Education Navigator within the clinic works directly with child welfare staff and foster families to support the academic needs of children in foster care.
“We are grateful to United Way of Central Massachusetts for their ongoing support of FaCES and the Education Navigator position,” said Justin Precourt, President of UMass Memorial Medical Center. “Children in foster care face significant educational challenges and the support of United Way of Central Massachusetts helps us provide critical services to a vulnerable population.”
Addressing Educational Disparities Through FaCES
In Massachusetts, approximately 6,800 school-aged children are in foster care. Statistics show they are 3.5 times more likely to receive an in-school disciplinary action, four times more likely to receive an out-of-school suspension, and 10 times more likely to repeat a grade. Their four-year high school graduation rate is only 55%, far below the Massachusetts average of 88%. To address these disparities, FaCES created the Education Navigator position.
“These stark differences reflect the many educational disparities experienced by children in foster care,” said Heather C. Forkey, MD, Director of FaCES. “Because children spend so much of their time in school, academic difficulties often reflect challenges in other areas of their lives. We are grateful to United Way of Central Massachusetts for helping us address these issues and support the well-being of these children.”
The Education Navigator receives referrals from the FaCES clinic and members of a child’s care team, providing individualized support for students facing academic challenges. Working closely with foster families and schools, the navigator helps address educational needs and connect students with available resources.
Because these services are not reimbursable through Medicaid, support from United Way of Central Massachusetts is essential to ensuring children in foster care receive the educational support they need.
