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How Shelter Staff Can Help Homeless Children In School |
Enrollment
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Know the schools in your area and who to call at each school.
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Maintain a supply of registration and free school lunch forms from the schools.
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When a family arrives at your shelter, help them prepare for the enrollment process.
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Help them decide which school would be best for the child to attend.
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Explain what records will be needed.
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Complete a School Enrollment Notice with the parent, FAX it to school, and call the school to confirm that this family will be enrolling.
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Help the parent make an appointment to enroll the child.
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Tell the parent what to expect at the time of enrollment (who they will see, what the questions will be, etc.)
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Remind the parent of the right to immediate enrollment, and to inform the school of their child’s special needs.
The First Day of School
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Help the parent prepare his or her child (grooming, clothing, breakfast, etc.)
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Provide the child with basic school supplies.
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Provide transportation to school if needed.
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Reassure the parent and child.
Support at the Shelter
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Provide a quiet space for homework and reading.
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Provide a secure place for books and supplies.
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Provide the parent with a sturdy folder to keep important school documents.
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Help the child establish a schedule for getting up, grooming, getting to the bus stop, etc.
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Encourage the parent to stay in contact with the school and teachers.
Source
How To Help Homeless Children In School: Information for Shelter Staff.
(n.d.) Opening Doors, Illinois State Board of Education. Retrieved on
August 28, 2001, from http://www.lth3.k12.il.us/
openingdoors/schools/howshelterscanhelp.htm
