Advocating for the Educational Success of Children in Foster Care with Sharon Dunlevy

In this episode ofHeart-to-Heart with Abagaba, I sit down with Sharon Dunlevy, a passionate educational advocate dedicated to helping children in foster care succeed academically and beyond. Sharon shares her journey, the challenges these students face, and the strategies she uses to empower foster parents, schools, and communities to support their educational success.

Sharon opens the conversation by explaining the key factors that contribute to positive educational outcomes for children in foster care, highlighting both systemic barriers and success stories. She dives into how foster parents can effectively advocate for the children in their care, offering practical tips, legal insights, and inspiring examples.

The discussion moves to creating trauma-informed school cultures, where Sharon explains what trauma-informed care looks like in practice, common misconceptions, and ways educators and administrators can make their classrooms and schools more supportive.

Finally, Sharon addresses the broader educational rights of students in foster care and the steps states and communities can take to improve graduation rates and assessment outcomes. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes collaboration, advocacy, and the power of education to change lives.

Listeners will walk away with actionable insights for fostering educational success, a deeper understanding of trauma-informed care, and renewed hope for the children in foster care who deserve every opportunity to thrive.