Homeless and Foster Care
Homelessness
The Reading Community City Schools Public Notice Education Rights of Homeless Children and Youth It is the responsibility of Reading Community Schools to ensure homeless children and youths receive the services and support they need. The Homeless Liaison will ensure that
- Homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination with other agencies;
- Homeless children and youths are enrolled in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school;
- Homeless families, children, and youths have access to and receive educational services for which they are eligible, including Head Start programs, early intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and other preschool programs administered by the LEA;
- Homeless families, children, and youths receive referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health, and substance abuse services, housing services, and other appropriate services;
- The parents or guardians of homeless children and youths are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children;
- The parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth, and any unaccompanied homeless youth is fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin;
- Unaccompanied homeless youths are enrolled in school, have opportunities to meet the same challenging State academic standards established for other students, and are informed of their status as independent students and assisted to receive verification of their status for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Local Liaison Name: Rebecca Johnson, Director of Student Services Telephone: (513)842-5105 School Address: 810 E. Columbia Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45215
Who is considered “homeless”?
Any child or youth not attending school who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless and includes those who are sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship. It also includes children and youth who are living in hotels, camping grounds, emergency shelters, cars, bus or train stations, or other similar settings.
If you are not sure, please call the Liaison listed above.
What are the education rights of homeless children and youth?
Our schools provide equal and comparable access to all students regardless of their home living situation. Homeless children and youth have specific rights that include:
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- Immediate enrollment in school and, when desired or in the best interest of the student, at the “school of origin.”
- Prompt provision of necessary services such as transportation and meal programs.
- Appropriate support services and programs for which they are eligible such as programs for gifted, children with disabilities, vocational educational, and special education preschool.
- Academic assistance through the district’s federally funded Title I program.
- Parent or guardian involvement in school activities.
What is the “school of origin”?
The term ‘school of origin’ means the school the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled. It is the district’s responsibility to consider the best interests of the child or youth when making a decision regarding what school to attend. Consideration must be given to placement at the school of origin unless doing so is contrary to the wishes of the parent or guardian.
What if there is a disagreement regarding school placement?
The parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) may appeal the placement decision if the district makes a placement in a school other than the school of origin or a school requested by the parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth. The student will be immediately enrolled in the school in which enrollment was requested by the student or parent while an appeal is pending. The person indicated above will provide information and assistance regarding such an appeal. No Child or Youth Should Be Denied Access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education.
Students in Foster Care
Foster care refers to 24-hour substitute care provided by a public agency to children away from their parents or guardians, for whom the agency has care and placement responsibility. This includes but is not limited to: placements in foster family homes, foster homes of relatives (kinship care), group homes, emergency shelters, residential facilities, and pre-adoptive homes. Foster care placements can be either short-term or long-term.
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) contains key protections for students in foster care to promote school stability and success. ESSA requires the State Education Agency (SEA) and the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to collaborate with custodial agency child welfare partners to improve the educational outcomes of children and youth in foster care.
Our district is committed to supporting students in foster care by providing stability, understanding, and access to educational opportunities that help them succeed. We work closely with families, caregivers, and community partners to ensure these students experience a welcoming school environment, continuity in learning, and the resources they need to thrive academically and emotionally.
Local Liaison for students in foster care:
Rebecca Johnson, Director of Student Services Telephone: (513)842-5105