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JFABD-R, Homeless Students

JFABD-R, Homeless Students

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Homeless Student Liaison

The homeless student liaison (liaison) appointed by the superintendent shall work to identify homeless students and facilitate each homeless student’s access to and success in school.

The primary functions of the liaison shall be to mediate disputes concerning school enrollment, assist in making transportation arrangements, assist in requesting the student’s records, provide information and give referrals on services and opportunities, and assist any homeless student who is not in the custody of a parent or guardian with enrollment, credit accrual, and college readiness decisions.

Enrollment

A homeless student is deemed to reside, and may enroll and attend school in:

  • the school district where the student is presently located, or
  • the school district in which the student attended school previous to becoming homeless

Enrollment shall be immediate even if the student lacks records routinely required prior to enrollment or has missed application or enrollment deadlines. The school district shall make arrangements to obtain any necessary records and to have the student receive any necessary immunizations. When feasible the school district shall seek immunization through no-or low-cost health care providers. If an expense is incurred, the school district shall seek reimbursement through Medicaid if possible.

If a homeless student becomes permanently housed outside the school district during the school year, the student shall no longer be considered homeless and may only continue enrollment in the school district for the remainder of the school year.

Tuition

Students defined in state and federal law as homeless shall be admitted without payment of tuition.

Enrollment Determination

In making enrollment determinations, the local liaison shall consider relevant factors, including but not limited to:

  • the best interests of the homeless student;
  • to the extent feasible, keeping the homeless student in the school of origin;
  • the wishes of the student and of the student’s parent or guardian;
  • which school can best meet the student’s educational and other needs, and
  • the student’s transportation needs related to the school options.

Dispute Resolution

When a dispute arises over eligibility, school selection, or enrollment, the district shall provide a written explanation of the district’s decision and of the right to appeal, in a manner and form understandable to the student’s parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth. The homeless student shall be immediately enrolled in the school in which the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth seeks to enroll, pending resolution of the dispute.

The local liaison shall attempt to resolve the dispute as expeditiously as possible. If the local liaison is unable to resolve it, the dispute shall follow the Colorado Department of Education’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Dispute Resolution procedure.

Transportation

Subsequent to a determination that the student shall attend a TSD school, a request for transportation may be made by the unaccompanied youth or by the student’s parent/guardian.

If the student is located in TSD, TSD shall provide or arrange for the student’s transportation to and from school in accordance with TSD transportation policies. All transportation services shall be comparable to those provided for other students in TSD. If the student is located outside of TSD but a determination has been made that the student shall attend a TSD school, both TSD and the school district where the student is located must either agree on a method to apportion cost and responsibility for the student’s transportation or share the cost and responsibility equally.

Adopted June 19, 2013
Approved May 6, 2020