Support for the New School Year

As summer winds down, families are preparing for the excitement (and chaos!) of a new school year. New backpacks, school supplies, teachers, sports schedules, and routines are filling calendars across Colorado.

For foster, adoptive, and kinship families, though, back-to-school season can bring more than just busy schedules. Children who have experienced trauma may be navigating a new school, new classmates, academic gaps, or anxiety about another transition. What feels exciting for some children can feel overwhelming for others.

The good news? Small acts of support can make a big difference.

If you're part of a Support Team, here are a few simple ways you can help your family start the school year well.

Help with School Supplies
School shopping adds up quickly. Share information about local school supply drives, sales, or community resources. If it feels appropriate, offer to pick up a few items or invite the family to shop with you.

Offer Homework Support
Many children in foster care have experienced interruptions in their education. If you enjoy reading, math, science, or another subject, consider offering to help with homework or studying during the first few weeks of school.

Encourage Kids (and Parents!)
The beginning of the school year can be exciting and stressful all at once. A handwritten note for a lunchbox, a quick text to the parents, or simply reminding a child you're cheering them on can provide encouragement during a season of change.

Stock the Pantry
Busy evenings often leave little time for grocery shopping. Drop off healthy snacks, easy breakfast items, or lunchbox favorites to help lighten the load during those first hectic weeks.

Protect Their Story
As families reconnect with neighbors, teachers, and friends, questions about foster care sometimes come up. Remember that every child's story belongs to them. One of the best ways to support a family is by honoring their privacy and allowing them to share only what they're comfortable sharing.

Offer Practical Help
Back-to-school calendars fill up quickly with open houses, sports practices, appointments, and school events. Offering childcare for siblings, bringing dinner one evening, running an errand, or helping with transportation can ease some of that pressure.

Continue Learning About Trauma-Informed Care 
Transitions can be especially difficult for children who have experienced trauma. Behaviors may increase as routines change and new expectations are introduced. Continuing to grow in trauma-informed care allows you to respond with empathy, patience, and grace while encouraging the caregivers you support.

You Can Make a Difference
You don't have to solve every challenge a family faces. Often, it's the consistent, everyday acts of kindness that remind parents they aren't carrying the weight alone.
As children head back to school, your encouragement can help create the stability, belonging, and hope that every child deserves. Thank you for walking alongside foster, adoptive, and kinship families and helping them start another school year feeling supported.

​By Jenny Watson, Director of Communication and Development