Enrolling Homeless Students in Anne Arundel County Schools

Anne Arundel County Schools are enrolling children from the gulf region in the aftermath of this season’s hurricanes.  Relatives and friends of displaced children are encouraged to enroll them in the schools in the geographic area where they are presently residing.  They should ask for the Homeless Education Coordinator at the school as the first point of contact, because “homeless” is the legal designation for displaced students.

Children experiencing homelessness may be immediately enrolled and processed through the normal enrollment procedures without authenticating documents such as birth certificates, immunizations, housing-address documents, and school records. Anne Arundel County Public Schools will enroll these students immediately and a Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW), or School Social Worker will provide the necessary follow-up.

• Pupil Personnel Workers (PPW)—These specialists can facilitate contact with other community services such as the Health Department and the Department of Social Services.

• School Guidance and Counseling—School based counselors can expedite enrollment and assist with contacting home schools (where possible.)

School records normally received from the sending school may not be available at this time. The school will use whatever information reported to them from the person responsible for that child, and an honor system will be used for this special case for enrollment. If the responsible person declares that the student is in the 3rd grade, then the student will be enrolled in the 3rd grade. The Pupil Personnel Workers (PPW) will provide the necessary follow-up when appropriate with the school system from which the student came.

The decision about your child’s school enrollment will take into consideration such factors as special needs for your child; continuity of instruction; length of stay in your new location; and time and distance to transport your child to and from school.

Children experiencing homelessness may not be charged tuition or other fees. These students may also receive assistance in meeting their school supply needs. Immunizations and health needs can be met through the school nurses. Referral to local health departments or clinics may be necessary.

• School Health Providers—School nurses are able to assess possible health care needs and refer to the Health Department as necessary.

• Psychological Services—If any of the students require more in depth psychological services, School Psychologists can make referrals.

Additionally, homeless students in Anne Arundel County are entitled to the same rights and school programs and services as all children, such as school breakfast and lunch; before and after school programs; preschool program; transportation; special education; gifted and talented programs; and career and technology education.

Any specific questions or concerns about the enrollment process of homeless children in Anne Arundel County can be directed to:

Ms. Suzanne Zukauskas
Homeless Education Coordinator
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
2644 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-222-5326
fax: 410-222-5606
e-mail: szukauskas@aacps.org

Procedures for School Personnel Displaced by Hurricanes Seeking Employment in Anne Arundel County Schools

Displaced school personnel may call Ms. Vanessa Bass at VBass@aacps.org or 410-222-5066 or Mr. Art Smelkinson at ASmelkinson@aacps.org or 410-222-5062.  These human resources professionals will put you in touch with the recruiter responsible for your area of expertise.

Volunteer to Assist Homeless Students in Anne Arundel County Schools

To assist a specific student or family, please contact the homeless coordinator at the school where the student is enrolled.

To assist homeless students enrolled in Anne Arundel County Public Schools, please contact Teresa Tudor, Volunteer Coordinator, TTudor@aacps.org or 410-222-5414.

---OR----

If you are an individual or an organization able to assist a homeless family or student, you may also contact the Anne Arundel County Dept. of Social Services at 410-269-4600

3 STEP Process to Apply for Federal Aid Due to Displacement

Anne Arundel County Public Schools wants to inform the public that simply enrolling a child into school will not make them or their families eligible for federal benefits if they have been displaced due to Hurricane Katrina.

Dislocated families that are eligible for federal benefits are required to follow a three-step process. They must register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Red Cross Emergency Services located in Baltimore, and the “One Stop Shop” Program from Maryland’s Department of Social Services.

The below list gives directory information about all three agencies and gives specific contact information for dislocated families and those who are eligible for federal benefits.

FEMA

What is FEMA?

·         The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began as an independent company until March of 2003, in which FEMA became apart of the new Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. FEMA is responsible for leading the nation in the effective federal response, recovery, preparation, and prevention of disasters both natural and terrorist related. The Red Cross, as well as 27 other organizations work with FEMA in disaster response.

Ø       The Department of Homeland Security is a branch of the government in charge of protecting America from any national sources of danger or threats. One of the ‘Strategic Goals’ of the Department of Homeland Security is aiding either local, private, national or state efforts to rebuild communities which have been a target of natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or any other emergencies.

FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals

What is the Disaster Assistance Process?

·         Aide to disaster affected families in the form of federal money or direct assistance in recovering from a disaster that has devastated their homes or property which is uncovered by their insurance. This federal assistance is not intended to be used to fully restore destroyed property or homes to their original condition, but rather to lessen the expenses encountered when dealing with critically damaged property.

Disaster Assistance Available from FEMA

·         Housing Related Assistance comes in four categories. Temporary Housing, Repair, Replacement, and Permanent Housing Construction. These categories are part of aiding disaster victims in re-establishing a residence either temporarily or permanently after a disaster.

1.        Temporary Housing (a place to live for a limited period of time):
Disaster Assistance money that is available for the effort of a family or individual to rent a different place to live in. However, if rental properties are not available in the area, a government provided housing unit will be provided.

2.        Repair:
Disaster Assistance money that is available for homeowners to repair disaster related damage to their primary residence that is not covered by their insurance. The goal in the Repair category is to make the damaged residence a safe, sanitary, and functional household once more.

3.        Replacement:
Disaster Assistance money that is available to the homeowners whose residence has been destroyed by the disaster and is uncovered by insurance. The Replacement category’s goal is to aid the homeowner in paying for the cost of replacing their destroyed residence.

4.        Permanent Housing Construction:
Direct assistance or Disaster Assistance money for the construction of a home. This type of aid is only available in related areas or isolated locations designated by FEMA.

NOTE: This assistance is only available when no other type of housing assistance is possible in the specified area. You can check if your area is a designated location on www.fema.gov.

·         Non Housing Related Disaster Assistance incorporates the Disaster Assistance money that is necessary to cover your expenditures and other needs resulting from a disaster.

Ø       What is specifically covered?

Medical and dental expenses

Funeral expenses

Personal property expenses

Transportation expenses

Moving and storage expenses

Other expenses that are authorized by law

How to Contact FEMA

You can contact FEMA either by using the Internet or the telephone. You will need personal information during this process, a pen and paper will be helpful in writing down any information given to you from FEMA which you find useful or that you will refer to in the future.

Ø       Telephone Number to Apply for Assistance: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)

Ø       Telephone Number for the Hearing or Speech Impaired: (TTY) 1-800-462-7585

Ø       Other Contact Information for FEMA:

Ø       Website:        www.fema.gov

Ø       Address:               500 C Street S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20472

Personal Information Needed in Application (Online or Telephone)

It is in your best interest to have this information available during the application process in order to have a quick and efficient. Applying online is the best course of action in avoiding a ‘busy signal’ by telephone. By having the specified personal information on hand, the online application should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Social Security Number

Address, Pre-disaster and Current

Telephone Number That You Can Be Contacted By

Financial Situation (Routing and Account Number of Your Bank)¹ and Household Income

Description of Losses

Directions to the Damaged Property if It is Within the Designated Federal Disaster Areas²

Insurance Company Information

1.        Only to be provided if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account

After your application for Disaster Assistance has been completed and submitted, BE SURE to write down the FEMA provided application number for future reference.

What if I do not have access to a computer?

Some disaster victims may not have the proper tools to apply for the Disaster Assitance application via the Internet. However, you could check a local library or a disaster recovery center where computer kiosks may be available. You can also have a friend or a relative located out-of-state supply your personal information to the Disaster Assistance online. However, FEMA will only provide you with follow-up information.

Ø       NOTE: be sure to share your personal information with a trusted individual whom you know very well.

The Red Cross

                The Red Cross Emergency Services located in Baltimore will meet the needs of hurricane victims who have been relocated to Maryland. All you need is identification tying you to Louisiana. The telephone number to register for the Red Cross in Anne Arundel County is 410-624-2040. The address is as follows:

Clarence Du Burns Arena
1301 Elwood Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224

Hours: Monday thru Friday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sunday – Closed

Red Cross Central Maryland Chapter
Telephone Number: 410-624-2000
Address: 4800 Mt. Hope Dr.
Baltimore, MD 21224

One Stop Shop Department of Social Services

‘One Stop Shop’ from the Department of Social Services has two locations in Glen Burnie or Annapolis. The ‘One Stop Shop’ program is an effort from the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services to connect with Hurrican Katrina victims who have relocated to the county with proper resources; as well as to help the hurricane victims receive federal benefits. Hurricane victims are encouraged to come in and apply to the ‘One Stop Shop’ program. If there you have no proper identification, you will be asked a series of questions. The ‘One Stop Shop’ program provides resources and links to:

Ø       Employment Opportunities

Ø       Housing from Anne Arundel County

·         Telephone Number: 410-222-6200 ext. 151

Ø       Healthcare

Ø       Transportation

Ø       Church Sponsorship

Contact information for either location of the Department of Social Services in Anne Arundel County are as follows:

The Annapolis Department of Social Services:

Address:  80 West Street

Annapolis, MD 21401

Telephone Number: 410-508-2079

Fax Number: 410-508-2079

Directions to the Annapolis DSS

1.        From Baltimore and areas North and West: Rt. 695 (Baltimore Beltway) to Rt. 97 South Rt. 97 South to intersection with U.S. Rt. 50-301 East Rt. 50-301 East to Rowe Boulevard.

2.        From Eastern Shore: To Bay Bridge West Rt. 50-301 West to Exit at Rowe Boulevard I-95 North to Route 301-50.

3.        From Washington, DC: I-95 to Route 301 East Route 301-50 East to Rowe Boulevard Exit.

Ø       ALL Rowe Boulevard past Navy/Marine stadium Bear right at fork to third light (at cemetary) and Turn right onto Calvert street

Ø       PARKING: There are two mulit-level parking garages in the first vlock of Calvert Street.

Ø       ENTRANCE: After parking, walk to West Street and turn right at bank into tree-covered brink courtyard.

The Glen Burnie Department of Social Services

Address: George M. Taylor District Court/Multi-Service Center

                7500 Ritchie Highway

                Glen Burnie, MD 21061

Telephone Number: 410-987-1837

Fax Number: 410-974-8566

Directions to Glen Burnie DSS

1.        From Baltimore and areas North and West: Baltimore Beltway to Rt. 97 South Rt. 97 South to Baltimore & Annapolic Boulevard, East (Rt. 648)

2.        From Washington, DC: I-95 North to Route 301-50 I-97 North to Baltimore & Annapolis Boulevard East (Rt. 648)

3.        From Eastern Shore: To Bay Bridge West Rt. 301-50 West to I-97 North I-97 North to Baltimore & Annapolis Boulevard East (Rt. 648)

ALL PARKING: Stay on B&A Boulevard and cross Crain Highway. Take first right and the Mulit-Purpose Center will be on your left. The parking garage is on the right.