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EDUCATION FOR UNHOUSED CHILDREN/ UNHOUSED POLICY

 

The SJCA Charter School Board recognizes its obligation to ensure that unhoused children have access to the same free and appropriate public education provided to other children within the district. SJCA shall provide unhoused students with access to education and other services necessary for these students to meet the same challenging performance or as other students. Unhoused students shall not be segregated into separate schools or programs based on their status as unhoused, nor shall unhoused be stigmatized in any way.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that placement decisions for unhoused students are based on the student's best interest as defined in law and administrative regulation. If you have any questions about services for our unhoused families please contact our unhoused liaison, Mrs. Viviana Moreno at 626.856.1693 ext. 4406 or email her at Viviana Flores.

 

UNHOUSED POLICY

In accordance with the Mckinney Vento Act, the governing charter school board recognizes its obligation to ensure that unhoused children have access to the same free and appropriate public education provided to other children within the district. The district shall provide unhoused students with access to education and other services necessary for these students to meet the same challenging performance standards as other students. Unhoused students shall not be segregated into separate schools or programs based on their status as unhoused, nor shall unhoused students be stigmatized in any way.

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that placement decisions for unhoused students are based on the student's best interest as defined in law and administrative regulation.

The district shall provide transportation for a unhoused student to and from a district school of origin when the student is residing within the district and the parent/guardian requests that such transportation be provided. If the student moves outside of district boundaries but continues to attend this district's school of origin, the Superintendent or designee shall consult with the Superintendent of the district in which the student is now residing to agree upon a method to apportion the responsibility and costs of the transportation.

 

CHILDREN

  • Schools must immediately enroll unhoused students even if they lack the required documents

  • Temporarily with an adult that is not the parent/ guardian due to loss of housing;

  • On their own without a parent/guardian (runaway or unaccompanied youth);

  • In a home for minor unwed mothers.

  • If transcripts missing, enroll immediately, and request records from the previous school.

  • Students with out-of-district, IEP’s, outdated IEP’s must be enrolled immediately in an interim placement pending a 30 day evaluation. Consult with the Division of Special Education.

  • Unhoused students can continue to attend their last school of enrollment, or enroll in the school in the area where the family is temporarily residing.

  • The “school of origin” (the school attended when permanently housed or the last school attended, or within the past 15 months.

  • If the family gains permanent housing, the student can remain at the current school for the duration of that academic year.

  • Unless the student is attending their “home school” or school of residence, they do not have the right to attend the next matriculating school. Upon matriculation, they must attend the school in the area in which they are temporarily residing.

Education for Homeless Youth

 

THE McKINNEY-VENTO ASSISTANCE ACT

The McKinney-Vento Act defines unhoused children and youth as individuals who:

  • lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;

  • live in an abandoned building, parked car, or other facility unfit for human habitation;

  • are abandoned in hospitals;

  • are placed by the state in an emergency shelter;

  • share housing with another family due to loss of housing or economic hardship;

  • live in a motel or hotel;

  • live in emergency or transitional shelters;

  • live in a trailer park or campsite with their family; or

  • are migratory children that qualify as unhoused because they are living in circumstances described above

 

STUDENTS' RIGHTS

  • Immediate enrollment in the school they last attended (school of origin) or the local school where you are currently staying, even if you do not have all the documents normally required at the time of enrollment.

  • Continue to attend their school of origin, if requested by you and it is in the best interest.

  • Receive transportation to and from their school of origin, the same special programs, and services, if needed, as provided to all other children, including free meals and Title I.

  • Receive the full protections and services provided under all federal and state laws, as it relates to unhoused children, youth, and their families.

FosterandHomeless

Cell Phone - Education

 

Win APP Web

WIN is a free mobile and web app designed to connect unhoused or resource insecure youth, families and adults to essential services. Our Children LA with guidance from our region’s unaccompanied youth.

 

WIN offers over 1800 area service providers and programs in 11 search categories: Shelter, Crisis, Food, Drop-In Centers, Health, Legal, Hotlines, Education, Jobs, Transportation, Benefits and More. Search filters include location of service provider, age, gender & special populations served. Quick access to program information including emergency numbers and contact details.

WIN is capable of featuring real-time bed availability. WIN is scalable by design, anticipating a need to add other regions to its database.

 

Available in English and Spanish, download today!

Viviana Moreno

Foster & Unhoused Youth Liaison

Contact Information

To access Foster Youth and McKinney Vento assistance, stop by

 Mrs. Moreno's office, call 626-856-1693 ext. 4406 or Viviana Flores.