Fostering Education Initiative of Tampa Bay

Eckerd Connects has joined together with Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties school districts to help our foster youth achieve academic success.

The Foster Education Initiative connects school guidance counselors and social workers with Tampa Bay area foster children ages 0-18. Eckerd Connects’ Education Specialists are available to assist case managers, foster parents, and relatives in securing the resources their children need to excel academically.

This support network will ensure that our students thrive and ultimately make successful transitions to post-secondary institutions, including both vocational and technical schools.

Services Provided

• Quarterly training to case managers about services available to foster youth ages 0 to 5.
• Enrollment assistance for various local Head Start/Early Head Start programs.
• Assistance identifying educational resources necessary for children enrolled in grades K-12.
• Assistance enrolling youth in our on-site adult education program.
• Ongoing performance assessments to ensure youth is on track for graduation.

Eligibility

To be eligible for Fostering Education Initiative programs, a young person must be:

• Between the ages of 0-18
• Living in Hillsborough, Pasco, or Pinellas county
• Residing in licensed foster care

For more information or to refer a foster youth to this program, connect with us at fosteringeducation@eckerd.org or call (813) 228-0731.

Please fax documents to (813) 228-0840.