Educational Programming, Assessment and Consultation (EPAC)

The Educational Programming, Assessment and Consultation (EPAC) Program provides comprehensive academic support services focusing on improving educational stability and the academic achievement of children and youth (ages 5 to 17) in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services. EPAC collaborates with several strategic partners to serve its target population.

About Us

The Educational Programming, Assessment and Consultation (EPAC) Unit provides comprehensive academic support and services focusing on improving educational stability and the academic achievement of children and youth (ages 5 to 17) in the custody of the Division of Family and Children Services.

Along with DFCS’ internal policies to support the educational needs of youth in foster care, there are state and federal policies.  The “Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015,” (ESSA), strengthens and improves these programs and the education of over 1.3 million children and youth experiencing homelessness, from early childhood through high school graduation.  In 2016, the law was amended to include educational stability for children in foster care, with a focus on collaboration between State Education Agencies, Local School Systems and child welfare agencies.

EPAC collaborates with several strategic partners to ensure we provide quality educational services and coordinate resources for youth who may need additional supports.  Some of our strategic partners include the Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Appleseed, Georgia REACH, Georgia CASA and Multi-Agency Alliance for Children.

Goals

  • Improve academic success for school-age youth in foster care;
  • Improve school stability for school-age youth in foster care;
  • Increase the annual grade promotion, graduation, or GED attainment for school-age youth in foster care;
  • Increase direct service staff’s capacity to support youth on their caseload in the area of education; and
  • Inform and educate internal and external stakeholders, including DFCS staff, of the education entitlements and legal education protections for school-age youth in foster care.

Services include:

  • Advocacy for educational stability for our youth
  • Educational Evaluations
  • Review and monitoring of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
  • Collaboration with local school systems
  • Support to Division staff and stakeholders
  • Building partnerships with community organizations
  • Ensuring compliance of Division and Federal policies
  • Tutorial Services
  • Behavioral Supports (Tribunals) 

For more in depth information on educational support services for school-aged youth in care, please visit the Educational Programming, Assessment and Consultation website.