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|
Question
and Answer |
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| 1 |
Q |
Do I enroll a student who has been displaced by Hurricane
Katrina if that child has no educational records or identifying
information? |
| A |
Yes. Such students should be enrolled immediately in the
school district where they currently reside. They do not need
to provide birth certificates school records, immunization
records, proof of guardianship, or proof of residency to enroll
in school. |
| |
| 2 |
Q |
If a storm victim is residing with Indiana family members,
are they considered “homeless” under
the McKinney-Vento Act? |
| A |
Yes. McKinney-Vento specifies that students should be
considered homeless
if they are in one of the following living situations:
- sharing the housing of others due to a loss of housing,
economic hardship, or a similar reason;
- motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds
- emergency or transitional shelters;
- abandoned in hospitals;
- awaiting foster care placement
|
| |
| 3 |
Q |
Some storm victims may move several times before finding
a permanent
residence. Must the student change schools each time he/she
relocates? |
| A |
No. The McKinney-Vento Act provides school stability by allowing
homeless students to continue to attend the same school if
it is feasible for them to do so and desired by their parents
or guardians. |
| |
| 4 |
Q |
These students may require substantial health, mental
health, and material
needs. What resources are available to them in Indiana? |
| A |
Although it is permissible to use McKinney-Vento
funds for these purposes,
more substantial resources may be available through government
relief agencies and charitable organizations. Contact local
agencies and medical facilities to determine how they can
assist you. With respect
to schools planning around these needs go to the UCLA School
Mental Health Project website <smhp.psych.ucla.edu/crisisresp.htm> for
resources and suggestions. |
| |
| 5 |
Q |
Are these students eligible for Title 1 funding? |
| A |
Yes. Title 1 has a particular responsibility to serve
homeless students both
in Title 1 and non-Title 1 schools. |
|
| 6 |
Q |
Is it necessary to assign a Student Test
Number (STN) to these students? |
| A |
Yes. |
| |
| 7 |
Q |
Will these students be required to take
the ISTEP and GQE tests? |
| A |
Yes, if they are placed in Grades 3 - 10. The results of
the ISTEP tests, however, will not count against the Adequate Yearly Progress
of the school. Students wishing to graduate from high school
will be required to take the GQE, but, having done so, will
then be eligible to appeal if they do not pass. |
| |
| 8 |
Q |
Is the Third Party Custodial Agreement
Form required to enroll these students? |
| A |
No, but it is recommended if the student
will be residing with someone other than a parent for any
significant length of time. |
| |
| 9 |
Q |
Where can I get information on mental health
support services or substance abuse issues? |
| A |
Go to this website. <www.doe.state.in.us/hurricane-relief/faq.html> |
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