This video is available as a NAESPA membership benefit or for a limited time as a conference attendee.
|
63 :
41
From Pilot to Policy: Building Statewide Supports for Students in Foster Care
Join leaders from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) and WestEd in discussion about a recent legislatively-designed initiative supporting students in foster care. This session will provide insight into Oregon House Bill 4084, which funded a pilot program for three public schools to each bring an Education Navigator in to work directly with students in foster care. Leaders from ODE and WestEd will also provide insight into formative evaluation activities they carried out to understand changes in school activities and academic outcomes for participating students. Learn more about the pilot and the implementation stories of each participating school. This presentation will highlight the programmatic successes, challenges, and considerations for future state-level supports for students in foster care.
This talk was presented at:
2026 National ESEA Conference
February 2026
in
Denver, CO
For more information:
rhuynh@wested.org
Speakers
Mel Wylen
Mel Wylen is a Research Associate on WestEd’s Assessment for Learning team with over a decade of experience in education. She specializes in evaluating education programs and grant-funded initiatives to help state and local education agencies understand impact, inform continuous improvement, and guide strategic resource allocation. Mel brings deep expertise in evidence-based technical assistance, strategic planning, and capacity-building, with a strong focus on translating data into actionable insights for improved academic outcomes.
Ryan Huynh
Ryan Huynh is a Research Associate at WestEd, where he applies both quantitative and qualitative research methods to build the capacity of local and state education agencies. He provides expertise in program evaluation, technical assistance for state partners, and coaching teams through logic model development. Huynh received a Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. in Ethnic Studies and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He is proud to be the first in his family to graduate high school and first to obtain a college degree.
ESEA Network
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect With Us
 |
 |
 |
 |
Contact Us
admin@eseanetwork.org | 800-256-6452
532 North Franklin Street | Fort Bragg, CA 95437
About Us
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (formerly the National Title I Association) is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect with Us
|
|
|
|
