Program OverviewThe Fostering Learning Program’s(FLP) principle mission is to partnerwith agencies servicing Illinois DCFSyouth-in-care (ages 10-21) to facilitateyouth development through academicand social/emotional education. To achieve this mission, the FosteringLearning Program bridges the “digital divide” between the typical, advantaged high school student andyouth-in-care of Illinois by providingfully-supported, structured access tocost e�ective, non-threatening virtuallearning systems that empowers at-riskstudents to achieve success (credit attainment/grade promotion/graduation)through self-paced learning tailored tothe individual's need and skill level.

The two key programming componentsthat make the Fostering Learning Program successful are the specializedonline academic and career/technicaleducation curriculum, provided throughour education partner Odysseyware ,and the intimate collaboration andtraining support component provided to the participating centers. Togetherthese key programming services haveallowed the Fostering Learning Programto service over 500 at-risk youth, annually, for over 10 years.

Who We ServeThe Fostering Learning Program worksintimately with participating agencies(mainly therapeutic day schools

in central and northern IL) servicing Illinois DCFS youth-in-care (typical disabilities: BD, ED, LD, ASD, CD or OHI) between the ages of 10 and 21to develop or enhance the virtual learning environment utilizing a 21stcentury education model. This learningmodel reaches beyond the traditionalclassroom materials to leverage technology in e�ort to create relevantlearning experiences that mirror students’ daily lives and the reality oftheir futures.

Collaboration & SupportBy providing in-depth consultation, initial and continual training and on-siteavailability the Fostering Learning Program o�ers unparalleled, directtechnical support in-person, via phoneand by email, which promotes the rapid development, implementationand continued investment in virtuallearning services.

Online CurriculumThe Fostering Learning Program partners with Odysseyware, experts in online learning solutions for at-riskyouth. With over a decade of experi-ence Odysseyware is a leading providerof online curriculum and eLearning solutions for public, virtual, charterand alternative schools. Used nationwide by thousands of schools,Odysseyware’s learning managementsystem, research based and provencore curriculum, assessments, and robust, targeted learning tools, provide administrators, teachers and students with powerful learning solutions that can be utilized in a myriad of instructional settings. Administrators enjoy innovative, time-saving reporting and benchmarkingtools, automatic grading functionality,search and �ltering capabilities.

Odysseyware is ideal as a complete,stand-alone curriculum, or can be usedfor blended and �ipped classrooms, alternative and special education,credit recovery, RTI, 1:1 and much more.Core subjects include math, history andgeography, science and language arts.Electives include Career Technical Education, business, �ne arts, healthand world languages. Odysseywarewas intentionally designed to meet the needs of 21st Century Learners and address diverse learning styles, by incorporating embedded interactive,multimedia instructional videos, learning games, rich illustrations, andanimations. A text-to-speech functionis perfect for auditory learners andOdysseyware’s translate is a strong resource for ELL programs.

Join Our FamilyDoes your school or agency serve DCFS Illinois youth-in-care and have an interest in enhancing the available educational curriculum to sta� and students alike for no cost at all? If so,then the Fostering Learning Programmay by the solution to meet the educa-tional goals of your organization.

For more information contact the Fostering Learning Program DirectorRobert Manshack at 773.655.6887 orrmanshack@asnchicago.org. (Services are free for agencies servicingIllinois DCFS youth-in-care!)

Fostering Learning Program (FLP) Alternative Schools NetworkCreating Futures Every Day

The Fostering Learning Program (FLP) serves approximately 500 youth and provides nearly 40,000 extra hours of online education to youth in Illinois foster care each year.