RATIONALE/OBJECTIVE:

The Cobb County School District (District) seeks to ensure that each homeless student has equal access to the same, free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other District students.

RULE:

A. IDENTIFICATION OF HOMELESS STUDENTS:
    1. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Act), 42 U.S.C. § 11434a (2) et. seq.,
        defines homeless students as those who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime
        residence. This includes:
        a. Children and youth who:
            (1) Share the housing of other persons due to the loss of housing, economic
                 hardship, or a similar reason;
            (2) Live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of
                 alternative adequate accommodations;
            (3) Live in emergency or transitional shelters;
            (4) Are abandoned in hospitals; or
            (5) Are awaiting foster care placement.
        b. Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or
            private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping
            accommodation for human beings;
        c. Children and youth who live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings,
            substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; or
        d. Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances
            set forth in Items 1, 2, and 3 above.
   2. The parent/guardian of a student who demonstrates evidence of living in a homeless
       situation will be given a Form JFABD-1 (Student Residency Statement) to complete
       and send to the District’s homeless liaisons to determine eligibility according to the
       above definition.

B. SCHOOL SELECTION:
    1. Enrollment Options:
        Homeless students may:
        a. Enroll in the school serving the attendance zone where the student resides; or
        b. Continue enrollment in the school of origin, when feasible. The school of origin is
            the school the student attended when permanently housed, or the school in which
            the student was last enrolled.
    2. Determining which school the child attends will be based upon the student’s best
        interest. Every effort shall be made, to the extent feasible, to keep the student in
        his/her school of origin unless doing so is against the wishes of the parent/guardian.
        In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the Homeless Liaison will assist in the
        placement and enrollment decisions (Form JFABD-2 [Enrollment in School of Origin
        Request Form]).
    3. A homeless student who attends his/her school of origin in accordance with Paragraph
        1 above may:
        a. Attend that school for the duration of homelessness;
        b. Stay in the school for the remainder of the academic year if the student becomes
            permanently housed during the academic year; or
        c. Attend their school for the duration of homelessness if the student becomes
            homeless between academic years.

C. TRANSPORTATION:
Transportation will be provided to and from the school of origin if requested by the
parent/guardian where required by federal law at 42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(1)(J)(iii). In the
case of an unaccompanied youth, the transportation request will be made by the
Homeless Liaison (Form JFABD-3 [Procedure for Transportation]).

D. DISPUTE RESOLUTION:
    1. If the District denies the school of origin request, the parent/guardian shall be
        provided with a written explanation of the District’s decision, including the right to
        appeal. In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the Homeless Liaison will provide
        written notification to such youth including the right to appeal (Form JFABD-4
        [Written Notification and Dispute Resolution Form].
    2. If a parent/guardian disputes the District’s:
        a. The student shall be immediately admitted to the school in which he/she is seeking
            enrollment, pending resolution of the dispute;
        b. The dispute shall be referred to the District’s homeless liaison who will consult with
            Policy, and Planning and Student Support for resolution within 7 business days of
            receipt of the Dispute Resolution Form;
        c. If the matter is not resolved at that level, the Superintendent shall issue the
            District’s decision within 10 business days of second dispute by parent/guardian.
        d. If the matter is not resolved at that level, the parent/guardian may contact the
            Georgia Department of Education state homeless coordinator.

E. ENROLLMENT/WITHDRAWAL OF HOMELESS STUDENTS:
    1. A homeless student should be enrolled immediately even if the student lacks records
       normally required for enrollment.
    2. The Principal or designee shall notify the homeless liaison when a homeless student is
        identified by having a parent/guardian complete a Form JFABD-1 (Student Residency
        Statement).
    3. The school shall provide the parent/guardian a copy of Form JFABD-5 (Information for
        Parents).
    4. If a homeless student arrives at school without a parent/guardian, the unaccompanied
        youth shall be enrolled immediately and the School Social Worker (SSW) notified. The
        SSW shall contact the parent/guardian and complete the enrollment process. Students
        must meet the District’s age eligibility criteria for enrollment.
    5. Homeless students qualify for free breakfast and lunch (Form JFABD-6 [Procedure for
        Free Lunch]).
    6. When students enroll without records (i.e., transcripts/grade reports, birth certificate,
        immunizations/health records) the Principal or designee shall:
        a. Contact the former school to request the student’s records and discuss
            immunization information and tentative placement;
        b. Create a cumulative record if it is determined that the records are not available;
        c. Refer the student to public health and provide follow-up to ensure that the student
            has been immunized, if there are no immunization records; and
        d. Contact the Homeless Liaison for additional assistance.
    7. Parents/guardians shall provide the school with contact information.
    8. Withdrawal:
        Homeless students often leave school without officially withdrawing. If the school
        is contacted by another district for a homeless student’s records, requested
        information shall be provided and school records sent within 15 days to the receiving
        school district.

F. ROLE OF THE HOMELESS LIAISON:
    The role of the District’s Homeless Liaison is to provide that:
    1. Homeless students and unaccompanied youth:
        a. Are identified by school personnel;
        b. Enroll in and have an equal opportunity to succeed in school;
        c. Receive educational services for which they are eligible;
        d. Are referred to the SSW, if other support resources are needed.
    2. Parents/guardians of homeless students are made aware of educational and related
        opportunities available to their children and are provided with a meaningful
        opportunity to participate in their children’s education;
    3. Public notices of the educational rights of homeless students are disseminated in
        schools and such places as family shelters;
    4. Enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless
        Assistance Act;
    5. Parents/guardians and unaccompanied youth are informed of the transportation
        services provided by the District, including transportation to the school of origin, when
        required;
    6. Students who do not have immunization or medical records are assisted;
    7. Collaborate and coordinate with State Coordinators for the Education of Homeless
        Children and Youth and community and school personnel responsible for providing \
        education and related support services to homeless children and youth.

Adopted: 8/28/03
Reclassified an Administrative Rule: 9/1/04
Reviewed: 5/12/04
Revised: 5/12/04; 8/10/05; 9/10/08