Helping Children Thrive in the Classroom & Beyond

Meeting educational needs for children and teens in foster care involves more than simply achieving academic success by cultural standards. In order for a child to thrive academically, they must also feel equipped, supported, and empowered.

How We Help

Palmer Home connects children and teens in need with the academic resources necessary to help them thrive in school and beyond.

Each child in our care receives the individualized support they need to help them achieve their goals and reach their fullest potential through tutoring, academic assessments, educational advisement, and more at the Dr. Hugh Francis, Jr. Wellness Center.

The Wellness Center

Safety, Support, & Connection

A commitment to caring for a child’s academic needs requires taking into consideration how safe, connected, and supported a child feels in their learning environment and school community.

Educational well-being also considers a child’s unique strengths and needs related to those skills necessary for learning and overall success in the classroom and in life.

Academic Care & Whole Child

“Children who feel safe, relationally connected, and supported are much better able to learn and grow.”
- Lauren Strickland, Director of WCI

Whole Child

FAQs

  • Do you conduct testing or have any sort of intake process that helps access what academic needs a child may have?

    When a child enters Palmer Home’s care, the following process occurs regarding educational decision-making: Academic records are obtained from the student’s previous school when possible. Initial STAR Reading and STAR Mathematics assessments are given. An informal meeting takes place with an Education Specialist to make observations in speech, behavior, and attitude toward school and education. Once data is collected, the Education Specialist meets with the Campus Director and the child’s assigned Case Manager to discuss educational options based on the information collected.

  • What is the importance of the relationship between Palmer Home and teachers?

    Palmer Home has developed connections with our local school districts where our children attend school and works to foster relationships with the teachers of the children in our care. 

    In an effort to understand all we can about how the children in our care are performing while at school, we rely on input from teachers, including grades, performance, communication, and collaboration. We also meet with children on a regular basis to ensure they feel safe, secure, and supported at school.

  • Does Palmer Home provide any other academic resources to children and teens in foster care?

    In addition to providing support for children in elementary, middle, and high school, Palmer Home also provides educational support to the young adults ages 18-24 in our Transitional Care program.

    The following list of initiatives includes steps we may undertake to support teens and young adults in Transitional Care, including tutoring, academic advising, academic placement, tuition assistance, scholarship assistance, career coaching, and more.

Palmer Home's Academic Care Program

Every child deserves an opportunity to thrive in every area of life. At Palmer Home, our goal is to address the academic obstacles children and teens can face when trauma and adversity are encountered in early life.

Access to Resources

Underserved school districts in underserved communities face many challenges. At Palmer Home, we connect children in our care with the resources they need to thrive, including the technology, textbooks, and materials needed to succeed.

Tutoring & Support

Children who have experienced trauma and adversity may face academic obstacles and need additional support to maintain grades and to graduate on time. Palmer Home helps them meet their academic goals by connecting them with tutors and resources.

Post-Secondary Support

For teens and young adults in our Transitional Care program, Palmer Home provides post-secondary support for academic success through scholarship support and help with college program, internship, and employment placement.

Caring for the Whole Child

Children with a history of trauma have unique physical, emotional, social, educational, and spiritual needs. Our Wellness Center seeks to provide a space to address these needs so true healing can begin.

Fund Their Education

Every child deserves a chance to thrive in the classroom. Your gifts directly support academic resources like textbooks and classroom resources, tutoring, and more to help the children and teens we serve meet their academic goals.

Make a Donation

The Heart of Our Home

With classrooms, counseling suites, therapy rooms and recreational areas, the Wellness Center provides a space for hope and healing in accordance with our Whole Child Initiative. It also serves a space for community gatherings and events that engage the public without compromising the privacy or security of the children in our care.