Identification

For purposes of Board policies and regulations homeless students include students under age twenty- one (21) who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and include students who have a primary nighttime residence that is:

1. A supervised shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations.
2. An institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized.
3. Transitional housing for less than one (1) full year.
4. A public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping area for people, including, but not limited to cars, tents and abandoned buildings.

Coordinator

The Board of Education has appointed _%Dr. Jennifer Vandeven%_ as coordinator of programs for homeless students. The responsibilities of the coordinator will include but not be limited to:

1. Establish practices designed to ensure the school enrollment and success of homeless students.
2. Ensure that homeless students and their families have access to educational services including Head Start, Even Start and other preschool programs administered by the District.
3. Ensure that referrals are made to health care, dental, mental health and other appropriate services.
4. Ensure that the school records of homeless students are transferred in a timely fashion.
5. Ensure that homeless students are not isolated or stigmatized because of their status as homeless.
6. Ensure that disputes over the placement of homeless students are resolved in a timely manner.

All school personnel, District service providers and locally known advocates working with homeless families will be informed of the identity of the Coordinator and the Coordinator duties.

Complaint Resolution

Any homeless student or their parent/guardian may file a complaint regarding placement or access to educational programs by submitting a written complaint to the Coordinator of Homeless Programs. If the coordinator is unable to resolve the complaint within five (5) school days, unresolved complaints will be forwarded to the Superintendent who will meet with the complainant upon request. Within five (5) school days of this meeting or within five (5) school days of rejection of such meeting, the Superintendent will prepare and forward a written decision. Thereafter, the complainant may appeal to the Board of Education within five (5) school days of receipt of the Superintendent's decision. Thereafter, the complainant may forward the complaint to DESE's Director of Federal Grants.

Immunization

Homeless students may be enrolled in school twenty-four (24) hours prior to receiving their immunization records.

Policy Dissemination

Copies of the Board of Education's Policy on Homeless Students will be presented to the County Welfare Office, County Office of the Division of Employment Security, the Juvenile Officer and to local law enforcement authorities.

Identification

Homeless students will be identified by referrals from community organizations and by review of the District's enrollment forms.