The Hidden Struggles: Trauma and Learning in Foster Care

Welcome to Hot Topics! In this episode, host Gabrielle Crichlow and guest Sharon Dunlevy highlight the significant effects of trauma on children's learning capabilities in foster care. They examine how exposure to drugs, alcohol, and physical abuse can hinder academic progress and emotional well-being. Tune in to discover actionable steps foster parents can take to support their children's educational rights and needs. Educational advocacy involves understanding those rights and striving to ensure they are upheld in the educational system.Who is Sharon Dunlevy?Sharon Dunlevy is an educational advocate for children in foster care. It is her mission to bring the educational needs of children in foster care to the attention of those who can change policies and practices that would give more children in foster care the ability to succeed educationally, the foundation for their ability to succeed after leaving care. Her primary work includes training foster parents on the educational laws that affect children in foster care and how to use those laws to ensure these children graduate successfully. But Sharon is not just a trainer, she is also a speaker and influencer. She has recently participated in two speaking competitions with the intent of bringing attention to those needs, winning fan favorite in the second competition.You can find Sharon:On the web: https://sharondunlevy.com/On Facebook (page): https://www.facebook.com/fostercaretrainingtodayOn Facebook (group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/fosteradoptivefamiliesOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharondunlevy72On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondunlevy/On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sharondunlevyBy email: [email protected] Sharon's ebook, "From Placement to Graduation and Beyond: How to Navigate Education in Foster Care. The Path Forward," here: https://fostercaretrainingtoday.com/ebookWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/SwaHEGZu1YYRate this episode on IMDB: TBA********************************************Follow Gabrielle Crichlow:On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabrielle.crichlowOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielle.crichlowOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-crichlow-92587a360Follow A Step Ahead Tutoring Services:On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astepaheadtutoringservicesOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astepaheadtutoringservicesOn X: https://www.x.com/ASATS2013On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-step-ahead-tutoring-services/On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@astepaheadtutoringservicesOn TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asats2013On Eventbrite: https://astepaheadtutoringservices.eventbrite.comVisit us on the web: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.comSign up for our email list: https://squareup.com/outreach/a41DaE/subscribeSign up for our text list: https://tapit.us/cipPJOCheck out our entire "Hot Topics!" podcast: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.com/hottopicspodcastSupport us:Cash App: https://cash.app/$ASATS2013PayPal: https://paypal.me/ASATS2013Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/ASATS2013Zelle: [email protected] a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hot-topics--5600971/supportOriginal date of episode: January 13, 2026