Trina's Story

Finally, a happy beginning for Trina.

Trina is a 14-year-old foster child who has ADHD and bipolar disorder.  She has been in more than five different school placements and, until recently, was still placed in a sixth grade class room where kids are generally 11 and 12 years old.

School has been hard for Trina since the beginning.  She’s been behind since kindergarten and, through a series of missteps, she hasn’t been given the supports she needs to be successful in school.  Additionally, her behavior makes it difficult for her to learn.

After an emergency expulsion in fifth grade Trina was referred to a Treehouse Educational Advocate.  Trina’s case was intense:  the school was unwilling to consider any of the suggestions Trina’s team made and they didn’t want to evaluate her need for special services.  Trina’s advocate finally enlisted the help of the Support Services Director of the District and got Trina enrolled in her home school.  After 2 ½ months of being out of school, her advocate got her re-enrolled in just three days.

While Trina’s team was setting up all of the supports she’d need to be successful at her new school, Trina had a significant behavioral incident.  This time, though, instead of expelling her, the school listened to the Advocate and the caseworker and found out what was going on.  Then, without Trina’s Advocate even requesting it, the Associate Principal said, “I think we could do a 504 plan but I think she needs more.  Let’s evaluate her, see if we can get her in a more age-appropriate placement.   In fact, I’ll try to expedite it so the evaluation can begin next week, and I’d be surprised if she didn’t qualify for Special Services.  Also, let’s try to get her a one-on-one tutor…and she can return on Monday.”   It was a happy beginning for a young girl who had not experienced happiness or true support at her previous schools.

Treehouse’s Educational Advocacy program will help 2,400 foster kids like Trina succeed in school this year.  To learn more about the program click here. 

Unfortunately this program is at risk of being cut from the governor’s budget.  So, now is a great time to get in touch with your legislator and ask them to please keep Educational Advocacy in the budget.  Our foster youth need advocates standing up for them in school.  If you have more questions please feel free to email or call.  tracy@treehouseforkids.org or 206-267-5113