Education For Children Experiencing Homelessness

San Francisco Unified School District and County Office of Education

Administrative Regulation 6173

Education For Children Experiencing Homelessness 

 This Administrative Regulation applies to the San Francisco Unified School District and the County Office of Education.

Definitions

Homeless students or students experiencing homelessness means students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes: (Education Code 48852.7; 42 USC 11434a)

1. Students who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals

(cf. 6173.1 – Education for Foster Youth)

2. Students who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings

3. Students who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

4. Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in conditions described in items #1-3 above. 

Unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. (Education Code 48859; 42 USC 11434a)

 

School of origin means the school that the homeless student attended when permanently housed or the school in which the student was last enrolled, including a preschool. If the school the homeless student attended when permanently housed is different from the school in which the student was last enrolled, or if there is some other school that the student attended within the preceding 15 months and with which the student is connected, the District liaison shall determine, in consultation with and with the agreement of the homeless student and the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, which school is,  in the best interests of the homeless student, deemed the school of origin. (Education Code 48852.7; 42 USC 11432)

Best interest means that, in making educational and school placement decisions for a homeless student, consideration is given to, among other factors, educational stability, the opportunity to be educated in the least restrictive educational setting necessary to achieve academic progress, and the student’s access to academic resources, services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities that are available to all District students. (Education Code 48850, 48853; 42 USC 11432)

 

District Liaison 

The Superintendent designates the following staff person as the District liaison for homeless students: (42 USC 11432)

 

Assistant Superintendent of Student & Family Services Division

20 Cook St.

San Francisco, CA 94118

415-340-1716

 

The District’s liaison for homeless students shall: (Education Code 48851.3, 48851.5, Education Code 48852.5; 42 USC 11432)

1. Ensure that homeless students are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies, with outreach focused on pre-school aged students as well as unaccompanied youth. SFUSD’s liaison will work with Research and Accountability (RPA) and Information Technology (IT) to support ongoing homeless student and family data management, systems development and to access needs and process.

(cf. 1400 – Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools)

(cf. 3553 – Free and Reduced-Price Meals)

2. Ensure that homeless students are enrolled in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in, District schools.

3. Ensure that homeless families and children and youth have access to and receive educational services for which they are eligible, including services through Head Start and Early Head Start programs, early intervention services under Part C of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other preschool programs administered by the District.

(cf. 5148.3 – Preschool/Early Childhood Education)

4. Ensure that homeless families and students receive referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health and substance abuse services, housing services, and other appropriate services.

(cf. 5141.6 – School Health Services)

5. Inform parents/guardians of the educational and related opportunities available to their children such as special education services, school nutrition programs, language assistance for English Learners, career and technical education, early college, gifted and talented/magnet programs, and summer and online learning; ensure that they are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children with regular communication from teachers/support staff related to their progress and educational needs; and ensure that parents/guardians are able to access support and services in a manner that is culturally and linguistically competent
    
6. Ensure that homeless students have access to all enrichment and extended day programs or activities including overnight/outdoor/out of state field trips; eligibility based athletic teams and sports programs; regular/specialized after-school programs.

   (cf. 5145.6 – Parental Notifications)
    

7. Develop strategies to build a homeless students’ feeling of connectedness and belonging and belonging with their school, including, but not limited to, strategies that promote positive discipline and conflict resolution, the development of resiliency and interpersonal skills, and the involvement of parents and guardians and/or other caretakers in all school programs and activities.
    
8. Develop strategies to support college/career access for homeless students and their unique circumstances with explicit instruction and focus on the role school staff must play to insure successful high school graduation and the transition to postsecondary education opportunities, in addition to strengthened emphasis on supports for, unaccompanied homeless youth, through the verification of independent student status for the purposes of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and improved coordination with other federally funded state/local homeless assistance programs for which these youth may be eligible.
9. Disseminate public notice of the educational rights of homeless students in locations frequented by parents/guardians of homeless children and youth and by unaccompanied youth, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and hunger relief agencies (soup kitchens). The rights shall be presented in a manner and form understandable to the parents/guardians of homeless students and unaccompanied youth.
10. Mediate enrollment disputes in accordance with law and the section “Resolving Enrollment Disputes” below.

11. Fully inform parents/guardians of homeless students and unaccompanied youth of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin, and assist them in accessing transportation to the school of choice.

(cf. 3541 – Transportation Routes and Services)

12.  Offer annual training related to the district’s homeless education program policies to school personnel who provide services to students experiencing homelessness, including principals and other school leaders, attendance officers, teachers, enrollment personnel, and specialized instructional support personnel, to ensure that such employees are informed of available training, professional development, and other support, and the services provided by the district liaison for homeless students

 

(cf. 4131 – Staff Development)

(cf. 4231 – Staff Development)

(cf. 4331 – Staff Development)

13. Ensure that unaccompanied youth 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 under 20 USC 1087vv and that they may receive assistance from the District liaison to receive verification of their independent student status for purposes of applying for federal student aid pursuant to 20 USC 1090.

14. Coordinate and collaborate with state coordinators and community and school personnel responsible for the provision of education and related services to homeless students,  including the collection and provision of comprehensive data to the state coordinator as required by law. 

15. In addition, when notified pursuant to Education Code 48918.1, the District liaison shall assist, facilitate, or represent a homeless student who is undergoing a disciplinary proceeding that could result in the student’s expulsion. When notified pursuant to Education Code 48915.5, the District liaison shall participate in an individualized education program (IEP) team meeting to make a manifestation determination regarding the behavior of a student with a disability.

17. Site Liaisons/points of contact are identified at each school site where there are more than 15 homeless students.(cf. 5144.1 – Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process)

(cf. 5144.2 – Suspension and Expulsion/Due Process (Students with Disabilities))

(cf. 6159 – Individualized Education Program)

 

The Superintendent or designee shall inform homeless children and youth, their parents/guardians, school personnel, service providers, and advocates working with homeless families of the duties of the District’s liaison. The Superintendent or designee  shall also provide the name and contact information of the District’s liaison to the California Department of Education (CDE) for publishing on the CDE’s web site. (42 USC 11432)

 

At least annually, the Superintendent or designee shall report to the Board on outcomes for homeless students, which may include, but are not limited to, school attendance, student achievement test results, promotion and retention rates by grade level, graduation rates, suspension/expulsion rates and other outcomes related to ESSA/McKinney Vento Act requirements or goals or specific actions identified in the LCAP. Based on the evaluation data, the District shall revise its strategies as needed to better support the education of homeless students and shall periodically update the SAFEH Action Plan as needed to remain consistent with state and federal law.

 

Enrollment

 

The student may continue attending their school of origin for the duration of the homelessness. (Education Code 48852.7; 42 USC 11432)

 

At the point of any change or subsequent change in the residence of a student experiencing homelessness, the student may continue attending the student’s school of origin for the duration of the homelessness. (Education Code 48852.7; 42 USC 11432)

 

To ensure that the homeless student has the benefit of matriculating with the student’s  peers in accordance with the established feeder patterns, the following shall apply: (Education Code 48852.7; 42 USC 11432)

1. If the student is transitioning between grade levels, the student shall be allowed to continue in the same attendance area.

2. If the student is transitioning to a middle school or high school, and the school designated for matriculation is in another school District, the student shall be allowed to continue to the school designated for matriculation in that District.

If the student’s status changes before the end of the school year so that the student is no longer homeless, the student e shall be allowed to stay in the school of origin: (Education Code 48852.7)

1. Through the duration of the school year if the student is in grades K-8

2. Through graduation if the student is in high school

Once the placement decision has been made, the district shall immediately enroll the student in the school of choice. The student shall be enrolled even if the student: (Education Code 48852.7; 42 USC 11432)

1. Has outstanding fees, fines, textbooks, or other items or monies due to the school last attended

(cf. 5125.2 – Withholding Grades, Diploma or Transcripts)

2. Does not have clothing normally required by the school, such as school uniforms

(cf. 5132 – Dress and Grooming)

3. Is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, proof of residency, and records of immunization and other required health records

(cf. 5111 – Admission)

(cf. 5111.1 – District Residency)

(cf. 5125 – Student Records)

(cf. 5141.26 – Tuberculosis Testing)

(cf. 5141.31 – Immunizations)

(cf. 5141.32 – Health Screening for School Entry)

4. Has missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness

The principal or designee shall immediately contact the school last attended by the student to obtain the relevant records. If the student needs to obtain immunizations or does not possess immunization or other required health records, the principal or designee shall refer the parent/guardian to the District liaison for homeless students. The District liaison shall assist the parent/guardian, or the student if the student is an unaccompanied youth, in obtaining the necessary immunizations, screenings, or records for the student. (42 USC 11432)

 

Best Interest Determination

 

The District shall make placement decisions for homeless students based on the student’s best interest. (Education Code 48850; 42 USC 11432)

 

When determining the best interest of the student, the District shall give priority to the request of the student’s parent/guardian, or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the request of the student. The student’s educational stability and opportunity to be educated in the least restrictive educational setting necessary to achieve academic progress and other student-centered factors related to the student’s best interest, including the impact of mobility on achievement, education, health, and safety, shall also be considered. (Education Code 48850; 42 USC 11432)

Such factors may include, but are not limited to, the age of the student, the distance of the commute and the impact it may have on the student’s education, personal safety issues, the student’s need for special instruction, the length of anticipated stay in the temporary shelter or other temporary location, likely area of future housing, school placement of siblings, and the time remaining in the school year.

However, placement decisions shall not be based on whether a homeless student lives with  the student’s homeless parent/guardian or has been temporarily placed elsewhere. (42 USC 11432)

In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the liaison shall assist in placement or enrollment decisions, give priority to the views of the student, and provide notice to the student of the right to appeal. (42 USC 11432)

In determining a student’s best interest, a homeless student shall, to the extent feasible, be placed in their  school of origin, unless the student’s parent/guardian or the unaccompanied youth requests otherwise. (Education Code 48852.7; 42 USC 11432)

If the student is placed at a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent/guardian/unaccompanied youth, the Superintendent or designee shall provide the parent/guardian or the unaccompanied youth with a written explanation of the reasons for the decision, including why placement in the student’s school of origin or requested school is not in the student’s best interest, along with a statement regarding the right to appeal the placement decision. The written explanation shall be in a manner and form understandable to such parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth. (42 USC 11432)

Resolving Enrollment Disputes

If a dispute arises over student eligibility, school selection, or enrollment in a particular school, the matter shall be referred to the District liaison, who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible. (42 USC 11432)

 

The parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth shall be provided with a written explanation of any decisions related to eligibility, school selection, or enrollment and of the right of the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth to appeal such decisions. (42 USC 11432)

The written explanation shall include:

1. A description of the action proposed or refused by the District

2. An explanation of why the action is proposed or refused

3. A description of any other options the District considered and the reasons that any other options were rejected

4. A description of any other factors that are relevant to the District’s decision and information related to the eligibility or best interest determination, such as the facts, witnesses, and evidence relied upon and their sources.

5. Appropriate timelines to ensure any relevant deadlines are not missed

6. Contact information for the District liaison and state coordinator, and a brief description of their roles

The written explanation shall be complete, as brief as possible, simply stated, and provided in language that the parent/guardian or student can understand.

The District liaison may use an informal process as an alternative to formal dispute resolution procedures, provided that the parents/guardians or unaccompanied youth have access to the more formal process if informal resolution is not successful in resolving the matter.

In working with a student’s parents/guardians or unaccompanied youth to resolve an enrollment dispute, the District liaison shall:

1. Inform them that they may provide written and/or oral documentation to support their position

2. Inform them that they may seek the assistance of social services, advocates, and/or service providers in having the dispute resolved

3. Provide them a simple form that they may use and turn in to the school to initiate the dispute resolution process

4. Provide them a copy of the dispute form they submit for their records

5. Provide them the outcome of the dispute for their records

When a student’s parent/guardian or an unaccompanied youth involved in the enrollment dispute is an English learner, Items #1-5 shall be provided either in the native language of the parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth or through an interpreter. Any additional support needed because of a disability of that parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth shall be made available without a charge.

If a parent/guardian or unaccompanied youth disagrees with the liaison’s enrollment decision, the decision may be appealed to the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall make a determination within five working days.

If the parent/guardian chooses to appeal the District’s placement decision, the District liaison shall forward all written documentation and related paperwork to the homeless liaison at the county office of education.

Pending final resolution of the dispute, including all available appeals, the student shall be immediately enrolled in the school in which enrollment is sought (either school of origin or school that non-homeless students from same attendance area would be eligible to attend) and shall be allowed to attend classes and participate fully in school activities. (42 USC 11432, 11434a)

Transportation

The District shall provide transportation for a student experiencing homelessness to and from the student’s school of origin when the student is residing within the District and the parent/guardian, or the District liaison in the case of an unaccompanied youth, requests that such transportation be provided. If the student moves outside of District boundaries, but continues to attend the student’s school of origin within this District, the Superintendent or designee shall consult with the superintendent of the District in which the student is now residing to agree upon a method to apportion the responsibility and costs of the transportation. (42 USC 11432)

(cf. 3250 – Transportation Fees)

(cf. 3541 – Transportation Routes and Services)

Any fees that the district charges for home-to-school transportation and other transportation as expressly provided by law shall be waived for students experiencing homelessness. (Education Code 39807.5)

The District shall not be obligated to provide transportation to students who continue attending their school of origin after they secure permanent housing, unless the formerly homeless student has an individualized education program that includes transportation as a necessary related service for the student. (Education Code 48852.7)

Transfer of Coursework and Credits

When a student experiencing homelessness transfers into a District school, the district will receive an official transcript from the transferring school or district which reflects full and partial credits and grades earned by the student and includes: (Education Code 51225.2)

1. A determination of the days of enrollment and/or seat time, if applicable, for all full and partial credits earned based on any measure of full or partial coursework being satisfactorily completed

 

Partial coursework satisfactorily completed includes any portion of an individual course, even if the student did not complete the entire course

 

2. Separate listings for credits and grades earned at each school and local educational agency so it is clear where credits and grades were earned

 

3. A complete record of the student’s seat time, including both period attendance and days of enrollment

The District shall  transfer the credits and grades from the transferring school’s transcript onto an official district transcript in the same manner as described in Item #2, above. (Education Code 51225.2)

If the Principal or designee has knowledge that the transcript from the transferring school may not include certain credits or grades, the Principal or designee shall contact the prior school within two business days to request that the full or partial credits be issued, which shall then be issued and provided by the prior school within two business days of the request. (Education Code 51225.2)

The district shall accept and issue full credit for any coursework that the student has satisfactorily completed while attending another public school, a juvenile court school, a charter school, a school in a country other than the United States, or a nonpublic, nonsectarian school. (Education Code 51225.2)

If the entire course was completed, the district  shall not require the student to retake the course. (Education Code 51225.2)

If the entire course was not completed at the previous school,the student shall be issued partial credit for the coursework completed and shall be required to take the uncompleted portion of the course. . However, the District may require the student to retake the portion of the course completed if, in consultation with the holder of educational rights for the student, the District finds that the student is reasonably able to complete the requirements in time to graduate from high school. Whenever partial credit is issued to a homeless student in any particular course, the student  shall be enrolled in the same or equivalent course, if applicable, so that the student may continue and complete the entire course. (Education Code 51225.2)

Partial credits shall be awarded on the basis of 0.5 credits for every seven class periods attended per subject.. If the school is on a block schedule, each block schedule class period attended shall be equal to two regular class periods per subject. Partial credits and grades earned by a student shall be included on the student’s official transcript within two business days of the District’s notification of the student’s transfer, as required under Education Code 49069.5.

In no event shall the District prevent a homeless student from taking or retaking a course to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the California State University or the University of California. (Education Code 51225.2)

(cf. 6143 – Courses of Study)

Applicability of Graduation Requirements

To obtain a high school diploma, a  student experiencing homelessness shall complete all courses required by Education Code 51225.3 and fulfill any additional graduation requirements prescribed by the Governing Board.

(cf. 6146.1 – High School Graduation Requirements)

(cf. 6162.52 – High School Exit Examination)

However, when a student experiencing homelessness who has completed the second year of high school transfers into the District from another school District or transfers between high schools within the District, the student shall be exempted from all District-adopted coursework and other District-established graduation requirements, unless the District makes a finding that the student is reasonably able to complete the additional requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of thefourth year of high school. Within 30 calendar days of the student’s transfer, the Superintendent or designee shall notify the student, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, and the District liaison for homeless students of the availability of the exemption and whether the student qualifies. If the Superintendent or designee fails to provide this notification, the student shall be eligible for the exemption once notified, even if the notification occurs after the student is no longer homeless. (Education Code 51225.1)

To determine whether a student is in the third or fourth year of high school, the District shall use either the number of credits the student has earned as of the date of the transfer,the length of school enrollment, or, for a student with significant gaps in school attandence, the student’s age as compared to the average age of students in the third or fourth year of high school, whichever qualifies the student for the exemption. (Education Code 51225.1)

If a student experiencing homelessness was not properly notified of an exemption, declined the exemption, or was not previously exempted, the student or the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student may request the exemption and the Superintendent or designee shall exempt the student within 30 days of the request. A student may request the exemption even if the student is no longer a student experiencing homelessness. (Education Code 51225.1)

When the Superintendent or designee determines that a student who transferred into a district school is reasonably able to complete district-established graduation requirements by the end of the student’s fourth year of high school, the student shall not be exempted from those requirements. Within 30 calendar days of the following academic year, the student shall be reevaluated based on the student’s course completion status at the time, to determine if the student continues to be reasonably able to complete the district-established graduation requirements in time to graduate by the end of the student’s fourth year of high school. Written notice as to whether the student then qualifies for exemption shall be provided to the student, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, and if applicable, to the student’s social worker or probation officer. (Education Code 51225.1)

 

If, upon reevaluation, it is determined that the student experiencing homelessness is not reasonably able to complete the district-established graduation requirements in time to graduate from high school by the end of the student’s fourth year of high school, the Superintendent or designee shall provide the student with the option to receive an exemption from district-established graduation requirements or stay in school for a fifth year to complete the district-established graduation requirements upon agreement with the student, or if under 18 years of age, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, and provide notifications in accordance with Education Code 51225.1. (Education Code 51225.1)

 

When a student experiencing homelessness is exempted from district-established graduation requirements, the Superintendent or designee shall consult with the student and the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student about the following: (Education Code 51225.1)

1. Discussion of how any requirements that are waived may affect the student’s postsecondary education or vocation plans, including the ability to gain admission to a postsecondary educational institution

 

2. Discussion and information about other options available to the student, including, but not limited to, a fifth year of high school, possible credit recovery, and any transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges

 

3. Consideration of the student’s academic data and any other information relevant to making an informed decision on whether to accept the exemption

The District shall not require or request a student experiencing homelessness to transfer schools in order to qualify for an exemption and shall not grant any request made by a student experiencing homelessness, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, or the district liaison on behalf of the student, for a transfer solely to qualify for an exemption. (Education Code 51225.1)

The Superintendent or designee shall not require a student experiencing homelessness who is eligible for an exemption from district-established graduation requirements, and would otherwise be entitled to remain in attendance at the school, to accept the exemption or be denied enrollment in, or the ability to complete, courses for which the student is otherwise eligible, including courses necessary to attend an institution of higher education, regardless of whether such courses are required for statewide graduation requirements. (Education Code 51225.1)

 

If a student experiencing homelessness is exempted from district-established  graduation requirements, the exemption shall not be revoked. Additionally, the exemption shall continue to apply afterthe student is no longer experiencing homelessness or if the student transfers to another school, including charter school, or school District. (Education Code 51225.1)

The Superintendent or designee shall not require or request a student experiencing homelessness who is exempted from district-established graduation requirements and who completes the statewide coursework requirements before the end of the fourth year of high school, and would otherwise be entitled to remain in school, to graduate before the end of the student’s fourth year of high school. (Education Code 51225.1)

Upon making a finding that a student experiencing homelessness is reasonably able to complete District-established graduation requirements within the fifth year of high school, the Superintendent or designee  shall: (Education Code 51225.1)

1. Consult with the student and, if under 18 years of age, the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, of the option to remain in school for a fifth year to complete the District-established graduation requirements and how that will affect the student’s ability to gain admission to a postsecondary educational institution

2. Consult with and provide information to the student about transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges

3. Upon agreement with the  student or with the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the studentr if the student is under 18 years of age, permit the student to stay in school for a fifth year to complete the District’s graduation requirements
4. Consult with the student or with the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student of the option to remain in the student’s school of origin

 

When a student experiencing homelessness who has completed the second year of high school transfers into the district from another school district or transfers between high schools within the district, and is not reasonably able to complete the district-established graduation requirements within the student’s fifth year of high school but is reasonably able to complete the statewide coursework requirements within the fifth year of high school, the student shall be exempted from all district-established graduation requirements and be provided with the option to remain in school for a fifth year to complete the statewide requirements. In such situations, the Superintendent or designee shall consult with the student and the person holding the right to make educational decisions for the student, regarding the following: (Education Code 51225.1)

1. The student’s option to remain in school for a fifth year to complete statewide coursework requirements

 

2. The effect of waiving the district-established requirements and remaining in school for a fifth year on the student’s postsecondary education or vocation plans, including the ability to gain admission to an institution of higher education

 

3. Other options available to the student, including, but not limited to, possible credit recovery, and any transfer opportunities available through the California Community Colleges

 

4. The student’s academic data and any other information relevant to making an informed decision on whether to accept the exemption and option to remain in school for a fifth year to complete the statewide coursework requirements

 

Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities

 

A student experiencing homelessness  who enrolls in any District school shall have access to extracurricular and enrichment activities that are available to all students in the school, including but not limited to, interscholastic sports administered by the California Interscholastic Federation.. (Education Code 48850)

 

(cf. 6145 – Extracurricular and Cocurricular Activities)

(cf. 6145.2 – Athletic Competition)

Notification and Complaints

Information regarding the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness, as specified in Education Code 51225.1 and 51225.2, shall be included in the annual uniform complaint procedures notification distributed to students, parents/guardians, employees, and other interested parties pursuant to 5 CCR 4622. (Education Code 51225.1, 51225.2)

Any complaint that the District has not complied with requirements regarding the education of students experiencing homelessness, as specified in Education Code 51225.1 or 51225.2, may be filed in accordance with the District’s procedures in AR 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures.

(cf. 1312.3 – Uniform Complaint Procedures)

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that a list of the district’s liaison(s) and the contact information for such liaison(s), as well as specific information on homelessness, including, but not limited to, information regarding the educational rights and resources available to students experiencing homelessness, are posted on the district’s web site. (Education Code 48852.6)

 

Each district school that has a web site shall also post the contact information for the district liaison and the name and contact information of any employee or other person under contract with the school who assists the district liaison in completing the liaison’s duties pursuant to 42 USC 11432. (Education Code 48852.6)

 

Action Plan

The Superintendent shall develop a Students and Families Experiencing Homelessness (SAFEH) Action Plan, which shall incorporate the provisions described in this Resolution and include the following priorities:

1. A report of the demographics of SFUSD Students and their families experiencing homelessness;
    
2. A report of the policy changes, strategies, partnerships, and actions, including the status of the learning centers, initiated in support of homeless students and their families, as outlined in this resolution

The District will also: (1) implement ways to directly include homeless students in determining the allocation of resources – including goals and specific actions to improve student achievement and positive outcomes for them- in budgeting decisions including but not limited to the District’s local control and accountability plan (LCAP) and the weighted student formula and multi-tiered systems of support; and (2) develop processes to review and revise policies that might disproportionately impact homeless students, including those who are also children and youth of color; those who identify as LGBTQ; English learners; and students with disabilities.

Collaborations

To improve data collection about students experiencing homelessness SFUSD will explore entering into a data sharing agreement with the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, to the extent allowable under federal and state law.

SFUSD will research and pursue opportunities for SFUSD owned land to be made available to build affordable housing for SFUSD students and families experiencing homelessness, including potential partnerships and/or funding sources from city and county, state, federal, philanthropic and nonprofit sources. The Superintendent will report back to the Board of Education on opportunities in this area within six months.

 

SFUSD will collaborate with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to develop an urgent response system when a student is identified as living unsheltered or when a student is about to lose their housing. This urgent response system would quickly connect the student and their family with problem-solving and shelter services administered by HSH.

SFUSD will collaborate with the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing to provide ongoing training to SFUSD staff on the City’s family coordinated entry process and ONE System to ensure that SFUSD staff knows the best ways to connect homeless students and families with City services.

SFUSD will pursue opportunities to collaborate with the Life Learning Academy and the LLABUILD initiative, including potentially referring students experienced homelessness to Life Learning Academy’s residential initiative.

 

Please note that compare references, or “cf”, refer to CSBA model policies and do not necessarily indicate that the San Francisco Unified School District has adopted the referenced policy.

 

Cross References

Board Resolution Number 175-23A1 – In Support of Staff Training, Coordination and Delivery of Programs and Services to Meet the Needs of Homeless Children, Youth and Families in San Francisco Unified School District (Commissioner Matt Haney)