Foster Youth Services and Homeless Education
EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN/ HOMELESS POLICY
The SJCA Charter School Board recognizes its obligation to ensure that homeless children have access to the same free and appropriate public education provided to other children within the district. SJCA shall provide homeless students with access to education and other services necessary for these students to meet the same challenging performance or as other students. Homeless students shall not be segregated into separate schools or programs based on their status as homeless, nor shall homeless be stigmatized in any way.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that placement decisions for homeless 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 homeless families please contact our homeless liaison, Mrs. Viviana Moreno at 626.856.1693 ext. 4406 or email her at viviana.flores@sjcharter.com.
HOMELESS POLICY
In accordance with the Mckinney Vento Act, the governing charter school board recognizes its obligation to ensure that homeless children have access to the same free and appropriate public education provided to other children within the district. The district shall provide homeless students with access to education and other services necessary for these students to meet the same challenging performance standards as other students. Homeless students shall not be segregated into separate schools or programs based on their status as homeless, nor shall homeless students be stigmatized in any way.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that placement decisions for homeless students are based on the student's best interest as defined in law and administrative regulation.
The district shall provide transportation for a homeless 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.
LAWS
Schools must immediately enroll homeless 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.
Homeless 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.
THE McKINNEY-VENTO ASSISTANCE ACT
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless 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 homeless 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 homeless children, youth, and their families.
Win APP Web
WIN is a free mobile and web app designed to connect homeless 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 & Homeless 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@sjcharter.com