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AACPS Home>> Instruction/Curriculum>>Student Services>> Homeless Students

Contact Information:

Charlene D. Thomas
Homeless Education Liaison
410-222-5326 cdthomas@aacps.org

Anne Arundel County Resource Guide (important contact #'s)

Homeless Students

All children have a right to a free, appropriate, public education.  The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act of 2001. (Public Law 107-110). “Homeless children and youths means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, nighttime residence.”  Homeless students have the right to enroll in school immediately.  Parents can request continued enrollment in the school prior to becoming homeless or at the local school for the current residence.  Each school has a contact person to assist with enrollment of homeless students.  Read about enrolling a Homeless Student here.

Students are considered Homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

This may include:

  • Sharing housing with another person due to loss of housing or economic hardship

  • Living in motels, hotels, camp ground, street, cars, abandoned buildings or other public spaces

  • Living in emergency or transitional shelters

  • Foster Youth in emergency shelters and/ or awaiting foster care placement

  • Unaccompanied youth

  • Children of migratory workers living in any of the circumstances described above.

NOTE:   Each school has a designated Homeless Contact who will assist with homeless enrollment.  Please contact the specific school to find out this information.

FAQs

Where will my child go to school?

As a homeless parent you have the right to decide whether your child should:

  • Stay in the same school your child attended before becoming homeless (school of origin)

  • Transfer to the school closest to your current location
    KNOW YOUR

      --Rights
      --Responsibilities
      --Available Resources
               Read about the Homeless
            Education Program @
            MSDE (all link here)

The student can stay in the chosen school for as long as the student is homeless, or until the end of the school year, if the student becomes permanently housed.

It is up to the parent to decide which school is in the child's best interest. The decision should take into consideration factors such as:

  • Continuity of instruction

  • Length of stay in your current location

  • Time and distance to transport your child to and from school.

How will my child get to school?

Anne Arundel County Public Schools will provide transportation for homeless children and youth who choose to attend their school of origin, or to the school in the neighborhood where they reside, unless the school is within the defined walking area.

To obtain transportation you should ask the homeless coordinator at the school. There is a form you can fill out to ask for transportation. Transportation arrangements may change if you move to a temporary address or when you become permanently housed.

What do I need to enroll my child in school?

Homeless children and youth have the right to be enrolled in school without delay. If records such as birth certificate, immunization or school records are unavailable, your child will still be enrolled.

What resources are available?

The Homeless Liaison at the school or the Homeless Coordinator at the Board of Education can help! We can assist you in the following areas:

  • School meal programs

  • Waiver of school fees

  • Accessing additional services such as special education and gifted and talented programs

  • Providing referrals to other agencies that can help with food, clothing and medical assistance.

Appeal Process

A parent may appeal decisions regarding their child's education. You may appeal decisions regarding school enrollment, transportation or waiver of fees. Appeals must be made in writing using the Appeal Form to the Homeless Education Liaison.