Rights and Resources for Students and Families

1. Rights and Resources for Students and Families Chicago Public Schools Students in Temporary Living Situations

2. Students in Temporary Living Situations Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will provide an education environment that treats all students with dignity and respect. Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) will have equal access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as students who are not homeless.

3. Defining Student Homelessness • Living in shelter, motel, or hotel • Doubled up at someone else’s home • Sleeping in cars, parks, buses, trains, or abandoned buildings • Awaiting foster care placement • Refugees and migrant workers in any of the above situations • Unaccompanied youth, of any age, in any of the above situations; includes children staying with grandparents or others who are not the legal guardian

4. Rights of STLS Students: Immediate Enrollment & Choice Immediate enrollment without health records, transcript, birth certificate, proof of residence, etc. Enrollment in either school of origin or attendance area school Stay in same school until end of school year even if permanently housed Students of any age can enroll themselves without parent/guardian Enrollment is not to be delayed or denied because of a lack of documentation

5. Rights of STLS Students: Transportation Transportation provided to eligible students attending school of origin Outside the attendance area of elementary school or 1.5 miles from high school CTA passes Passes also provided for adults for students 6th grade and under Hardship (school bus) Eligibility includes parent/guardian’s disability, enrollment in school or job training, DCFS or court order, employer’s letter, etc. While waiting for hardship, families can receive CTA passes This service requires a separate application and verification process

6. Rights of STLS Students: Fee Waivers, Uniforms, & More Schools must waive all required fees Registration, school supplies & field trips Fees for school activities, lab classes & graduation Fees for evening and summer school classes Gym uniforms, fees, and locks 2 uniforms per student (not including gym uniform)

7. Additional Services & Support Automatically eligible for free school meals Lunch and breakfast (if offered) Eligible for enrollment in preschool and Head Start programs Referral to free/low-cost medical & dental care (CFBU) Eligible for participation in tutoring, after-school programs Transportation assistance will be extended to accommodate after school programs Students enrolled in STLS can request tutoring services Confidentiality, privacy, and respect Excuse absence if related to temporary living situation

8. FAQs • Is there a time limit to how long a family can be homeless? • If a family has a roof over their head (staying at someone else’s house) can they still be homeless? Why? • What does “unaccompanied youth” mean? • Can a student enroll him/herself if their parent or guardian won’t or can’t accompany them? • Can an unaccompanied youth fill out the FAFSA as an independent?

9. Enrolling in STLS • Students enroll in STLS at their school through the STLS clerk/liaison • Each CPS school (including charter schools) has an STLS clerk/liaison trained to enroll and support STLS students • Each student must be enrolled individually • Enrollment may happen at any point during the year and lasts through the end of the school year, even if the student becomes permanently housed • Students must re-enroll each school year • Students or guardians should fill out forms for enrollment and for any service requested through the STLS program (such as transportation and fee waivers)

10. Special Populations Special Education Students are not to be delayed/denied enrollment based on special education needs or IEP services School must enroll student and immediately contact OSES for support if school can’t meet student’s needs Domestic Violence Survivors may be eligible for hardship transportation through STLS Excused absence for court dates Pregnant and Parenting Students May be eligible for STLS if they were put out of their home or ran away

11. ConfidentialityRemoving Fear As A Barrier To Education Students and families enrolling in STLS should not be asked about the public housing status of anyone with whom they might be staying Youth self-enrolling in the STLS program without a parent/guardian should not be questioned about their situation. Staff should, however, be cognizant of their responsibilities as mandated reporters Schools do not have to call DCFS or the police unless there are additional factors to suggest abuse or neglect, or there is a missing person’s report on the student Students should not be asked to provide proof of citizenship, residence, or immigrant status

12. Who to Call STLS Liaison: enrollment, transportation, etc. School Clerk: enrollment, assists Liaison Principal: dispute resolution STLS Coordinator: dispute resolution Enrique Marcano (north side): 773-535-5832 Shelly Brim(south side): 773-535-8229 Colleen Broderick (central and west side): 773-535-8969 STLS Main Office: 773-553-2242 Students/families can call the STLS main office from the school if they encounter difficulties enrolling or receiving services

13. When to Call STLS • If your student’s enrollment is denied or delayed for any reason • If you believe that a school or CPS department has unfairly denied your student fee waivers, transportation, or other STLS services • If you are moving from another school district and do not know what school to go to in Chicago

14. Things to Know about STLS and STLS students If you are eligible for STLS, you are not alone. More than 15,000 students enrolled in STLS last year. Sharing information about your living situation with your student’s school can open up opportunities for support Frequent school transfers are known to have negative effects on students. Consider allowing STLS to help keep your student in the school of origin

15. Things you can Do to Keep your STLS Student from Falling Behind • Make sure you stay in contact with teachers and administrators at school, let them know that your student is experiencing difficult times • Get homework completed and submitted on time • If there’s no place to complete homework where you live, ask the school if your student can have extra space/time at school • Locate local public libraries and park district buildings with space that could be used for homework time • Keep up attendance • If you notice major academic or behavioral changes in your student, talk to the school about possible interventions or a special education evaluation.

16. THANK YOU! We appreciate your attention and interest. Please feel free to ask questions and take materials!