The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, or adequate night time residence. The rights and services under the McKinney-Vento Act are included in the Oglala Lakota County School District Homeless policy.

THE ST FRANCIS INDIAN SCHOOL POLICY IS TO

• Ensure the immediate enrollment of children or youth experiencing homelessness until all enrollment records may be secure; i.e. academic records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documentation
• Keep a student experiencing homelessness in the school of origin, except when parent or guardian waives that right.
• Ensure the elimination of stigmatization or segregated services and elimination of other identified barriers for homeless children and youth
• Provide children or youth experiencing homelessness with the same services offered to other students in the school, including the following:
• Transportation services
• Educational services for which the child or youth meets the eligibility criteria, such as services provided under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, or similar state or local programs, educational programs for children with disabilities, and educational programs for students with limited English proficiency.
• Programs in vocational and technical education.
• Programs for gifted and talented students.
• School nutrition programs.

If you believe your child(ren) may qualify for McKinney-Vento services, please complete the form below and return it to your school.

McKinney-Vento Eligibility Determination Form

FOSTER CARE TRANSPORTATION PLAN

In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) added new provisions to Title I, Part A, to complement the existing requirements in child welfare law. ESSA now requires every state educational agency to collaborate with the state child welfare agency to ensure the educational stability of children in foster care, including assurances that children in care remain in their school of origin, unless it is not in their best interest. ESSA also provides a blueprint for allocating responsibility for providing transportation for foster youth to remain in their school of origin. ESSA requires LEAs receiving Title I, Part A funds to collaborate with child welfare agencies to develop written procedures governing how transportation to maintain children in their school of origin will be provided, arranged, and funded. Those procedures must ensure that:

= Children in foster care needing transportation will receive it promptly, in a cost-effective manner, and in accordance with the state ability to use Title IV-E (foster care) funds.

= If there are no additional costs incurred in providing school of origin transportation for children in foster care, the LEA should provide the transportation.

= If there are additional costs incurred, the LEA must provide transportation only if:

= the local child welfare agency agrees to reimburse the costs;

= the LEA agrees to pay the costs; or

= the LEA and child welfare agency agree to share the costs.

St Francis Indian School provides free transportation to all students requiring such a service. Further, the district ensures that students are always provided the opportunity to attend their school of origin unless the distance is prohibitive.

If, as a foster parent, you have a student that requires transportation from your home to his or her school of origin, you can call the school to arrange for daily transportation, or you may complete the form below and submit it to your child's school.

Transportation Plan to Ensure School Stability for Children in Foster Care