As someone who grew up in care, I knew firsthand how much school can mean to a young person searching for stability. My little sister has been in care for the last ten years (she turns 11 this year). She’s changed placements nine times and has a diagnosis of ADD, among other things. For her, school is supposed to be a safe haven– a place where she can breathe, be seen, and feel supported. But without the right tools, even the most well-intentioned teachers and staff can struggle to meet youth like her where they are.
That’s why I’m incredibly excited about the iCARE4 Schools Connection Kits.
These kits are filled with trauma-informed, ready-to-use resources specifically designed for students impacted by foster care, adoption, or kinship care– students like my sister, like me, and like so many others across Illinois. Each kit is carefully curated with over 20 tools that help teachers, counselors, librarians, and even PE instructors understand and support kids who have experienced trauma. From breathing exercises and emotional regulation tools to inclusive classroom kits and support group guides, these resources are practical, thoughtful, and empowering. They meet students where they are emotionally, not just academically– and that’s a game changer.
I’m a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s School of Social Work, and currently pursuing an MSW. Throughout my journey, I’ve been a passionate advocate for youth in care–especially when it comes to accessing and completing college. I served as a peer mentor for the Youth in Care College Advocate Program (Y-CAP), where I supported students from Illinois public universities who shared my background. But what I’ve learned is that college access doesn’t just start when a student fills out the DCFS scholarship application. It starts so much earlier. It starts with a student feeling safe and supported in the classroom.
If we want our youth to thrive in college and beyond, we have to start by showing up for them in elementary, middle, and high school. We have to equip our educators with the tools to understand, uplift, and walk alongside them. The Connection Kit is one step toward building that bridge– and I truly believe it will change lives.
Let’s make sure every student feels connected. Let’s give every educator the resources to show up for them.
All the best, Jocelyn
Jocelyn Fetting is a former youth in care who has turned her lived experience into a deep commitment to educational equity. She currently serves as a paraprofessional in a 1st and 2nd grade special education classroom, where she supports students with diverse needs through patience, structure, and trauma-informed practices. Jocelyn brings a unique lens to her work–one shaped by her own journey through the child welfare system and her belief that every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported at school. Now pursuing her Master’s in Social Work, Jocelyn continues to advocate for students in care, knowing that real change begins in the classroom.
