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 **Policy JFABD\\
 Homeless Students\\
-School Board Approved: November 21, 2022**
+School Board Approved: August 17, 2026**
 It is the Board's intent to remove barriers to the identification, enrollment and retention in schools of homeless children and youth. All staff shall take reasonable steps to ensure that homeless students and children are not segregated or stigmatized and that educational decisions are made in the best interests of those students.\\
-**Homeless Students**\\
+**__A. Homeless Students.__**\\
 Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (“McKinney-Vento”), and guidance provided by the New Hampshire Department of Education (“NHDOE”), the term “homeless children and youths” means “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” Under both section 752(2) of McKinney-Vento and the NHDOE guidance*, the term includes children and youth who are:\\
-  * sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason.
+. sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason;
-  * living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
+. Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
-  * living in emergency or transitional shelters.
+. living in emergency or transitional shelters;
-  * abandoned in hospitals.
+. abandoned in hospitals;
-  * 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.
+. 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;
-  * living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
+. living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
-  * are migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.
+. are migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.\\
-  * Additionally, as used in this policy, the terms “unaccompanied youth,” “school of origin,” “enrollment,” and “attendance area school” shall have the same meanings as set forth in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (“McKinney-Vento”) and guidance provided by the New Hampshire Department of Education (“NHDOE”). For purposes of this policy and its accompanying regulation, “homeless students” shall refer to and include “homeless children and youth” and “unaccompanied youth.”\\
-*NOTE: under RSA 193:12, IV, the definition of “homeless children and youth” also includes children “awaiting foster care placement”, see RSA 193:12, IV (a). That criterion, however, was removed from McKinney-Vento in 2015 as well as NHDOE guidance documents regarding McKinney-Vento. Under both McKinney-Vento, and NHDOE guidance, children who are awaiting foster care may fall within the definition of a homeless student if they meet other criteria as set forth above. \\
+Additionally, as used in this policy, the terms “unaccompanied youth,” “school of origin,” “enrollment,” and “attendance area school” shall have the same meanings as set forth in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (“McKinney-Vento”) and guidance provided by the New Hampshire Department of Education (“NHDOE”). For purposes of this policy and its accompanying regulation, “homeless students” shall refer to and include “homeless children and youth” and “unaccompanied youth.”\\
+*Note: under RSA 193:12, IV, the definition of “homeless children and youth” also includes children “awaiting foster care placement”, see RSA 193:12, IV (a). That criterion, however, was removed from McKinney-Vento in 2015 as well as NHDOE guidance documents regarding McKinney-Vento. Under both McKinney-Vento, and NHDOE guidance, children who are awaiting foster care may fall within the definition of a homeless student if they meet other criteria as set forth above.\\
 Each homeless student shall have access to and shall be provided education services for which the student is eligible comparable to services provided to other students in the school, including career and technical education programs, gifted education programs, and school nutrition programs. Transportation services for homeless students shall be provided in accordance with applicable law and as generally described below.\\
-**Enrollment and School Stability**\\
+**__B. Enrollment and School Stability.__**\\
 Enrollment of a homeless student shall be immediate even if the homeless student lacks records routinely required prior to enrollment or has missed application or enrollment deadlines (academic, immunization, etc.). The District shall make arrangements to obtain any necessary records and to have the student receive any necessary immunizations. When feasible, the District shall seek immunization through no- or low-cost health care providers. If an expense is incurred, the District shall seek reimbursement through Medicaid if possible.\\
-If a homeless student becomes permanently housed during the school year, the student shall no longer be considered homeless and may only continue enrollment in the District for the remainder of that school year.\\
+If a homeless student becomes permanently housed during the school year, the student shall no longer be considered homeless and may only continue enrollment in the District for the remainder of that school year. All McKinney- Vento rights and services, including transportation and free lunch, shall be continued for the remainder of that year for such students.\\
-**Homeless Liaison**\\
+**__C. Homeless Liaison.__**\\
-The Superintendent shall appoint a staff member to serve as the local liaison for homeless students and their families/guardians (the “Homeless Liaison” or the “District Homeless Liaison”). The District shall provide training and other technical assistance to Homeless Liaison and other appropriate District staff regarding the District’s obligations to homeless students. Duties of the District Homeless Liaison shall be as provided in state and federal law, as well as local policies and procedures. The duties shall include, among others: procedures for identification, enrollment, transportation, dispute resolution for homeless students, as well as direct assistance shall be made in accordance with the accompanying regulation and applicable law.\\
+The Superintendent shall appoint a staff member to serve as the local liaison for homeless students and their families/guardians (the “Homeless Liaison” or the “District Homeless Liaison”). The District shall provide training and other technical assistance to Homeless Liaison and other appropriate District staff regarding the District’s obligations to homeless students, including the obligation to keep confidential information about a homeless student's housing situation. Duties of the District Homeless Liaison shall be as provided in state and federal law, as well as local policies and procedures. The duties shall include, among others: procedures for identification, enrollment, transportation, dispute resolution for homeless students, as well as direct assistance shall be made in accordance with the accompanying regulation and applicable law.\\
 Among other things, the District Homeless Liaison shall:\\
-  * assist in requesting the student’s records.
+a. assist in requesting the student’s records;\\
-  * mediate and assist with disputes concerning school enrollment and homelessness determinations.
+b. mediate and assist with disputes concerning school enrollment and homelessness determinations;\\
-  * assist in making transportation arrangements.
+c. assist in making transportation arrangements;\\
-  * ensure that homeless students receive the educational services for which they are eligible or entitled.
+d. ensure that homeless students receive the educational services for which they are eligible or entitled;\\
-  * coordinate with other Districts, entities, institutions and agencies to help assure that homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel.
+e. coordinate with other Districts, entities, institutions and agencies to help assure that homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel;\\
-  * ensure that unaccompanied youth and/or parents of homeless students are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to homeless students.
+f. ensure that unaccompanied youth and/or parents of homeless students are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to homeless students;\\
-  * work to assure that parents/guardians of such students are provided with opportunities to participate in the education of their children (excepting instances when court or other protective orders indicate otherwise).
+g. work to assure that parents/guardians of such students are provided with opportunities to participate in the education of their children (excepting instances when court or other protective orders indicate otherwise);\\
-  * ensure that unaccompanied youth and/or parents of homeless students are informed of all transportation services including transportation to the school of origin.
+h. ensure that unaccompanied youth and/or parents of homeless students are informed of all transportation services including transportation to the school of origin;\\
-  * assure that notice is publicly disseminated of the educational rights of homeless children and youths.
+i. assure that notice is publicly disseminated of the educational rights of homeless children and youths;\\
-  * coordinate with other Districts and with local social services agencies and other agencies or programs providing services to homeless students as needed.
+j. coordinate with other Districts and with local social services agencies and other agencies or programs providing services to homeless students as needed;\\
-  * assist any unaccompanied youth with enrollment, credit accrual, and career and college readiness decisions.
+k. assist any unaccompanied youth with enrollment, credit accrual, and career and college readiness decisions;\\
-  * work with the Superintendent or designee to monitor regulations and guidance related to this policy that may be issued by applicable state and federal agencies (e.g., DCYF, NHDOE, and the U.S. Department of Education). \\
+l. work with the Superintendent or designee to monitor regulations and guidance related to this policy that may be issued by applicable state and federal agencies (e.g., DCYF, NHDOE, and the U.S. Department of Education).\\
-**Enrollment Determinations for Homeless Students**\\
+**__D. Enrollment Determinations for Homeless Students.__**\\
 Enrollment determinations shall be based upon the best interests of the homeless student, with the presumption that keeping the homeless student in the school of origin is in the homeless student’s best interests, except when doing so is contrary to the request of the parent/guardian, or if applicable, unaccompanied youth.\\
-**Transportation of Homeless Students**\\
+**__E. Transportation of Homeless Students.__**\\
-Under McKinney-Vento, homeless students are entitled to transportation to their school of origin or the school where they are to be enrolled.  If the homeless student is located outside of District boundaries but a determination has been made that the student shall remain in the school of origin within the District, or, if a homeless student is located within this District, but a determination had been made that the student shall remain in the school of origin outside of the District, then the two Districts shall agree on a method to apportion cost and responsibility for the student’s transportation or share the cost and responsibility equally.  \\
+Under McKinney-Vento, homeless students are entitled to transportation to their school of origin or the school where they are to be enrolled. If the homeless student is located outside of District boundaries but a determination has been made that the student shall remain in the school of origin within the District, or, if a homeless student is located within this District, but a determination had been made that the student shall remain in the school of origin outside of the District, then the two Districts shall agree on a method to apportion cost and responsibility for the student’s transportation or share the cost and responsibility equally.\\
+**__F. Dispute Resolution.__**\\
+For any decision in the enrollment process of a homeless student, including any determination whether a living situation meets the definition of homeless, if the decision is in conflict with the wishes of the homeless student’s parent/guardian, or, if applicable, the unaccompanied youth, the District shall provide a written explanation, in a manner and form understandable to the student’s parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth. District personnel receiving enrollment requests or information pertaining to homeless students should immediately refer those request to the District Homeless Liaison and Superintendent’s office.\\
+In the event of a dispute, the District shall immediately enroll the student in the school in which the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth seeks to enroll, which enrollment shall continue pending resolution of the dispute.\\
+Additionally, while enrollment disputes are pending, students have the right to participate fully in school and receive all services for which they would be eligible, as the definition of enrollment includes “attending classes and participating fully in school activities.”\\
+**__1. Notification of Appeal Process.__**\\
+If the District seeks to place a homeless child in a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent, or the District has determined that the living situation does not qualify as homeless (“eligibility decision”), the District shall inform the parent or the unaccompanied youth of the right to appeal. The District shall provide the parent or unaccompanied youth with written notice including:\\
+a. A succinct explanation of the child’s placement/eligibility decision and contact information for the District Homeless Liaison, as well as the NHDOE State Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youth;\\
+b. Notification of the parent’s right to appeal(s);\\
+c. Notification of the right to enroll in the school of choice pending resolution of the dispute;\\
+d. A description of the dispute resolution process including a petition/appeal form that can be returned to the school to initiate the process and timelines; and\\
+e. A summary of the McKinney-Vento Act.
+While the Superintendent or Homeless Liaison may prepare and make available forms for the process, use of such forms is not required to initiate the appeal process.\\
+**2. Appeal to the District Homeless Liaison – Level I.**\\
+a. If the parent or unaccompanied youth disagrees with the District’s placement decision, he/she/they may appeal by filing a written request for dispute resolution/appeal (“appeal”) with the school, the District Homeless Liaison, or Superintendent. The request for dispute resolution should be submitted within fifteen business days of receiving notification of the District’s placement.\\
+b. If the appeal/request for dispute resolution is submitted to the school or Superintendent, it will be immediately forwarded to the Homeless Liaison.\\
+c. The District Homeless Liaison must log the complaint including a brief description of the situation and reason for the dispute and the date and time of the appeal was filed. Upon receipt, the District Homeless Liaison will forward a copy of the appeal document to the Superintendent.\\
+d. Within five business days of the receiving the appeal, the Homeless Liaison must provide the parent or unaccompanied youth with a written decision and notification of the parent’s right to further appeal, with a copy to the Superintendent. At this time, the Homeless Liaison will also provide to the parent or unaccompanied youth an “appeals package” consisting of a copy of the written decision, a copy of the original appeal document, and copies of any additional materials provided to the Homeless Liaison by the parent or unaccompanied youth.\\
+**3. Appeal to the Superintendent – Level II.**\\
-**Dispute Resolution**\\
+The parent or unaccompanied youth may appeal the Level I decision to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee, using the appeals package provided at Level I.\\
-For any decision in the enrollment process of a homeless student, including any determination whether a living situation meets the definition of homeless, if the decision is in conflict with the wishes of the homeless student’s parent/guardian, or, if applicable, the unaccompanied youth, the District shall provide a written explanation, in a manner and form understandable to the student’s parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth.  District personnel receiving enrollment requests or information pertaining to homeless students should immediately refer those request to the District Homeless Liaison and Superintendent’s office.\\
-In the event of a dispute, the District shall immediately enroll the student in the school in which the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth seeks to enroll, which enrollment shall continue pending resolution of the dispute. Additionally, while enrollment disputes are pending, students have the right to participate fully in school and receive all services for which they would be eligible, as the definition of enrollment includes “attending classes and participating fully in school activities.”\\
+a. The Superintendent/designee will arrange for a personal conference to be held with the parent or unaccompanied youth within five business days of receiving the Level I appeals package. (Upon the
+request of the parent or unaccompanied youth, this conference may be held telephonically).\\
-**Notification of Appeal Process**\\
+b. Within five business days of the conference with the parent or unaccompanied youth, the Superintendent/designee will provide that individual with a written decision with supporting evidence and notification of their right to appeal to NHDOE.\\
-If the District seeks to place a homeless child in a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent, or the District has determined that the living situation does not qualify as homeless (“eligibility decision”), the District shall inform the parent or the unaccompanied youth of the right to appeal. The District shall provide the parent or unaccompanied youth with written notice including: \\
-  * A succinct explanation of the child’s placement/eligibility decision and contact information for the District Homeless Liaison, as well as the NHDOE State Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youth.
+c. The Superintendent/designee shall provide a copy of the Superintendent’s decision to the District’s Homeless Liaison, as well as the NHDOE State Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youth.\\
-  * Notification of the parent’s right to appeal(s).
-  * Notification of the right to enroll in the school of choice pending resolution of the dispute.
-  * A description of the dispute resolution process including a petition/appeal form that can be returned to the school to initiate the process and timelines.
-  * A summary of the McKinney-Vento Act. \\
-While the Superintendent or Homeless Liaison may prepare and make available forms for the process, use of such forms is not required to initiate the appeal process.  \\
+**__A. Confidentiality & Records.__**\\
-**Appeal to the District Homeless Liaison – Level I**\\
+In furtherance of the District's commitment to minimizing the stigma that otherwise might attach to homelessness, all information relating to a homeless student's housing information shall remain confidential notwithstanding any provision relating to directory information under FERPA.
-If the parent or unaccompanied youth disagrees with the District’s placement decision, he/she/they may appeal by filing a written request for dispute resolution/appeal (“appeal”) with the school, the District Homeless Liaison, or Superintendent. The request for dispute resolution should be submitted within fifteen business days of receiving notification of the District’s placement.\\
+The District shall maintain copies of all written decisions, appeals and notifications concerning eligibility or enrollment requests made under this policy for the same period as it does for Title I records.\\
-If the appeal/request for dispute resolution is submitted to the school or Superintendent, it will be immediately forwarded to the Homeless Liaison. \\
+**__G. Administrative Procedures/Regulations__**\\
-The District Homeless Liaison must log the complaint including a brief description of the situation and reason for the dispute and the date and time of the appeal was filed. Upon receipt, the District Homeless Liaison will forward a copy of the appeal document to the Superintendent.  \\
+The Superintendent, in consultation with the Homeless Liaison, shall develop written procedures/ to implement this policy. Such procedures shall include provisions relating to how records relating to a homeless student's housing information (including any records relating to appeals) are stored, who may access them, and any appropriate provisions for how confidentiality will be maintained in practice.\\
-Within five business days of the receiving the appeal, the Homeless Liaison must provide the parent or unaccompanied youth with a written decision and notification of the parent’s right to further appeal, with a copy to the Superintendent.  At this time, the Homeless Liaison will also provide to the parent or unaccompanied youth an “appeals package” consisting of a copy of the written decision, a copy of the original appeal document, and copies of any additional materials provided to the Homeless Liaison by the parent or unaccompanied youth. \\
+**__H. Training.__**\\
-**Appeal to the Superintendent – Level II**\\
+The Superintendent is directed to assure that all relevant staff responsible for the proper implementation of this policy, including, but not limited to, any staff or volunteers who, by nature of their position, have information concerning a homeless student's housing information, receive sufficient training to carry out their duties consistent with this policy, and any applicable procedures.\\
-The parent or unaccompanied youth may appeal the Level I decision to the Superintendent or the Superintendent’s designee, using the appeals package provided at Level I. \\
-The Superintendent/designee will arrange for a personal conference to be held with the parent or unaccompanied youth within five business days of receiving the Level I appeals package. (Upon the request of the parent or unaccompanied youth, this conference may be held telephonically).\\
+**Legal References:**\\
-Within five business days of the conference with the parent or unaccompanied youth, the Superintendent/designee will provide that individual with a written decision with supporting evidence and notification of their right to appeal to NHDOE. \\
+**NH Statutes**
+RSA 193:12,Legal Residency Required\\
-The Superintendent/designee shall provide a copy of the Superintendent’s decision to the District’s Homeless Liaison, as well as the NHDOE State Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youth.
+**NH Dept of Ed Regulation**\\
+N.H. Code Admin. Rules Ed 306.04(b)(14), Homeless Students\\
-**Records**\\
+**Federal Statutes**\\
-The District shall maintain copies of all written decisions, appeals and notifications concerning eligibility or enrollment requests made under this policy for the same period as it does for Title I records.  \\
+U.S.C. §§1701-1758, Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 – “EEOA”\\
+U.S.C. §1232g, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)\\
+U.S.C. §6313(c)(3), Reservation of Title I funding for homeless children and youths\\
+U.S.C. 11431, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – Statement of Policy\\
+U.S.C. 11432, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – Grants [for SEAs & LEAs]\\
-**Legal References:**\\
+**District Policy History:**\\
-//20 U.S.C. 1232g (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act – “FERPA”)\\
+First reading: August 3, 2026\\
-U.S.C. 1701-1758 (Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 – “EEOA”)\\
+Second reading/adopted: August 17, 2026\\
-U.S.C. 6313(c)(3) (reservation of Title I funding for homeless children and youths)\\
+**District revision history:** Approved November 22, 2022\\
-U.S.C. §11431 and §11432 (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act – Education for Homeless Children and Youth)\\
-Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982)\\
-RSA 193:12, Legal Residence Required\\
-NH Code of Administrative Rules, Section Ed 306.04(a)(19), Homeless Students//\\
-{{ ::jfabd_homeless_student_policy.pdf |Download}}\\
+{{ ::policy_jfabd_1_.pdf |Download}}\\
 [[section_j|Section J]]\\
 [[start|Policy Manual]]

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