• Families In Transition and Homeless Services

    Debbie Reynolds, McKinney Vento/Homeless Liaison
    817.202.1183
    dreynolds@c-isd.com

     
    Homeless children & youth have the right to a free, appropriate public education.
     
    The Cleburne Independent School District is committed to ensuring that homeless children and unaccompanied youth have access to a quality education in our public schools.  
     
    WHAT HOMELESS FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW
     
     
    WHO IS HOMELESS?
     
    Anyone who, due to ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, lives:
    • In a shelter 
    • TEMPORARILY sharing a residence with relatives or friends
    • In cars, parks, public spaces, bus or train stations, or abandoned buildings
    • In motels or hotels
    • Migratory children living in these conditions. 

     

    McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001 – Title X, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act – Sec 725

     

    What are your rights?

    • Homeless children have the right to attend school.
    • You do not need a permanent address to enroll your child in school.
    • Homeless children have the right to stay in their school of origin if the parents choose.
    • Your child cannot be denied school enrollment just because school records or other enrollment documentation are not immediately available.
    • Your child has the opportunity to receive transportation services to and from the school of origin.
    • Your child has the right to participate in extracurricular activities and all federal, state, or local programs for which he/she is eligible.
    • Children with special education needs between the ages of 3 and 21 are eligible to receive special needs services. If you believe your child may be eligible, please contact your school or the District Special Education office at 817-202-1600.


    At school, ask about these special services:

    • Free breakfast and lunch programs
    • Possible transportation assistance for children to remain in their school of origin
    • Tutoring programs
    • Programs that assist children in learning English
    • Gifted and talented programs
    • Summer school opportunities
    • Pre-school programs
    • Homeless assistance programs


    What your family can do before you move:

    • Tell your child's teacher and principal that you are moving, and give them your new address.
    • Let school officials know if you want your child to stay in his/her school of origin while you are getting the family stabilized.
    • Ask for a copy of your child's school records, including immunizations.
    • Provide your child with an opportunity to say goodbye to friends.
    • Formally withdraw your student in person.


    Tips and resources:

    • Keep a copy of birth certificates and school records accessible.
    • Safeguard all health and immunization records.
    • Have a reliable person keep a second copy of birth certificates, school records, and health information.
    • Enroll children in school as soon as possible.
    • Inform your new school about any special education records that pertain to your child.

     

    If you have further questions about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Program or need to fill out the paperwork, please contact your school listed below. He/she will make the referral, on your behalf to the Student Services office.

     

    Additional Resources

    Community Resource Providers
    Community Resource Providers Spanish

     

    Campus Contacts

    Cleburne High School - Donna Rollins
    TEAM School - Alicia Garcia
    Smith Middle School - Melissa Rotenberry
    Wheat Middle School - Robbie Hutchins
    Adams Elementary - Amanda Vasquez
    Coleman Elementary - Lennie Hillman
    Cooke Elementary - Isamar Velasquez
    Gerard Elementary - Nikki Byford
    Irving Elementary - Rocio Chavez
    Marti Elementary - Lei Ann Wright
    Santa Fe Elementary - Patricia Pettijohn