5111.01 - HOMELESS STUDENTS

A student shall be considered homeless under State statute (I.C. 20-50) or Federal law (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq) if s/he is an individual who:

1. lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and is living:

   1. in "doubled-up" accommodations, such as sharing housing with other families or individuals due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;

   2. in hotels, motels, trailer parks or camping areas because of a lack of alternative adequate accommodations;

   3. temporarily in a foster home because of lack of shelter space;

   4. in run-away shelters or abandoned buildings, on the streets, or with friends;

   5. as an unwed mother or expectant mother in a home for unwed mothers and with no other available living accommodations;

2. lives in an emergency or transitional shelter, is abandoned in a hospital or other place not intended for general habitation, or is awaiting foster care placement;

3. has a primary nighttime residence that is:

   1. a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, or transitional housing for the mentally ill;

   2. an institution that provides temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or

   3. a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

Such students are eligible for free textbooks and school meals which should be noted on the enrollment form at the time of enrollment.

Transportation of Homeless Students

Homeless students must be provided transportation in accordance with I.C. 20-27-12-5.

Liaison for Homeless Children

The Superintendent will appoint a Liaison for Homeless Children whose general duty will be to safeguard the rights of homeless children attending school in this Corporation and act as one of the primary contacts between homeless families and school staff, Corporation personnel, shelter workers, and other service providers.

The name and contact information for the Liaison for Homeless Children shall be reported to the Indiana Department of Education by August 1st of each year.

The Corporation shall post the contact information of the Corporation's Liaison for Homeless Children on its Internet website. The Corporation also shall post the following information on its Internet website:

1. A list of homeless students' rights.
2. A resource link to the State Department of Education's Internet website.
3. A directory of State and Federal resources concerning the McKinney-Vento Act.
4. The contact information for the State coordinator.
5. Relevant newsletters and bulletins concerning the McKinney-Vento Act.

The Liaison must be notified immediately upon the enrollment or assignment of a homeless child. The Liaison will coordinate Corporation operations and services so that:

1. homeless children are identified, and youths are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies pursuant to the McKinney-Vento Act;

2. homeless children and youths are immediately enrolled regardless of disputed residency;

3. homeless children and youths have a full and fair opportunity to succeed in school;

4. homeless families and homeless children and youths receive education services for which they are eligible, including Head Start, early intervention services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, any Corporation preschool programs, and referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health services, substance abuse services, housing services, and other appropriate services;

5. parents or guardians of homeless children and youths are informed of the educational and related opportunities available, including the opportunity to attend the child’s school of origin, and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children;

6. public notice of the educational rights of homeless students is disseminated at locations where homeless families, homeless children and youths, and unaccompanied youths receive services, such as schools, shelters, soup kitchens, public aid offices, city hall, food pantries, public libraries, courthouses, and police stations, in a manner and form understandable to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths and unaccompanied youths;

7. enrollment/assignment disputes are mediated/handled in accordance; the McKinney-Vento Act and the Appeal Procedures below;

8. the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths and any unaccompanied youths are fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to and from the school of origin and are assisted in accessing transportation services.

9. school personnel receive professional development and other support.
    

10. unaccompanied youths are enrolled in school, have opportunities to meet the same state academic standards as established for other children and youths, are informed of the status of unaccompanied youths as independent students under section 40 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087vv), and the rights of unaccompanied youths to receive verification of this status from the local liaison;

    Upon enrollment of a homeless child, the Liaison will coordinate with appropriate administrative staff to assure that the school last attended by a homeless child is immediately contacted to provide academic or other relevant records. If upon enrollment, the student does not have any immunization required for enrollment by State law or any medical records, the Liaison will assist the family or student in obtaining the immunizations or necessary, medical records. The Liaison will also contact the administrator in charge of transportation to assure transportation of the homeless student is provided.

    As part of his/her assigned duties, the Liaison will coordinate and collaborate with the community and school personnel responsible for providing education to homeless children, including but not limited to:

    1. local social service agencies and other agencies or programs providing services to homeless children and their families;

    2. other school corporations regarding inter-district issues, such as transportation or the transfer of school records.

    Such coordination should be designed to:

    1. facilitate homeless children having access and reasonable proximity to available education and related support services;

    2. raise the awareness of school personnel and service providers of the effects of short-term stays in a shelter and other challenges associated with homelessness.

    As part of his/her assigned duties, the Liaison for Homeless Children will inform school personnel, services providers and advocates working with homeless families about his/her duties.

Appeal Procedures

Should there be a dispute regarding the enrollment or assignment of a homeless student, the student will be enrolled immediately and the dispute will be referred to the Liaison for expeditious resolution. The Liaison should attempt to resolve disputes within five (5) school days. Any dispute which cannot be resolved by the Liaison should be reported to the State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children at the Indiana Department of Education. According to State guidelines, the State Coordinator has an additional five (5) school days from the time of notification to bring about resolution. Individuals not satisfied with the State Coordinator’s proposed resolution can appeal such decision to the Superintendent of Public Instruction within five (5) school days for final resolution of the dispute.

Staff Training

The Corporation shall provide professional development training to school staff, including teachers, paraprofessionals, and school support staff, at least one (1) time per year. The development training shall include:

1. the definition of homelessness;
2. signs of homelessness; and
3. steps to take when a homeless student is identified.

 
The Corporation shall provide professional development training to specialized instructional support personnel that is designed to heighten the understanding and sensitivity of the personnel to:

1. the needs of homeless children and youths;
2. the rights of homeless children and youths under the McKinney-Vento Act; and
3. the specific educational needs of homeless children and youths.

Revised 10/12/04
Revised 11/06
Revised 12/9/08
Revised 12/10
Revised 1/14/20

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