Transportation for Students in Foster Care ESSA Guidance

Transportation for Students in Foster Care ESSA Guidance Region One Education Service Center Office of School Improvement, Accountability and Compliance 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Pg. 15 -20 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Transportation “Some children in foster care will need transportation to remain in their school of origin when it is in their best interest. ” State or Child Welfare Agency LEA 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Foster Care Transportation: Role of the LEA LEA collaborates with State or Local Child Welfare Agency to develop clear written procedures of how transportation to maintain foster care students in their school of origin will be implemented – Children in foster care needing transportation to their schools of origin will receive that transportation in a cost effective manner – Ensures child in foster care needing transportation receives transportation for duration of time child is in foster care – LEA provides transportation when there additional costs 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Foster Care Transportation: Role of the LEA LEA provides transportation when there additional costs if: 1. The local child welfare agency agrees to reimburse the LEA for the cost of such transportation 2. The LEA agrees to pay for the cost; or 3. The LEA and local child welfare agency agree to share the cost 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Foster Care Transportation: Role of the Child Welfare Agency: - Ensures that the educational stability of each child in foster care includes an assurance that the child welfare agency has coordinated with the LEA to ensure the child can remain in the school of origin - If school of origin is not in child’s best interest, ensure that child is immediately enrolled in a new school - Collaborate with LEA to explore the full range of options for providing, funding and maintaining transportation in school of origin 2016 © Region One Education Service Center State or Child Welfare Agency

Timeline 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Costs Regular costs: What it costs to transport a student to his/her assigned school Additional costs: The difference between what an LEA would spend to transport a student to his/her school of origin 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Disputes - LEA and Child Welfare Agency should make every effort to reach agreement as transportation is a central component of educational stability - LEAs and Child Welfare Agencies can consider all federal funding sources - Transportation procedures should address how the transportation requirement for foster care students will be met even if the agencies cannot reach an agreement - Procedures could include a local dispute process - An LEA must ensure the child stays in their school of origin will transportation costs are being resolved 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Federal Funding Sources - Title IV-E funds are available to assist with additional transportation costs for children who are eligible for Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments - Title I, Part A funds are available provided they are not part of a homeless reservation 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

http: //www. esc 1. net/Page/2268 Additional Highlights: Education and child welfare agencies must designate points of contact to coordinate transportation planning. ü Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has designated the Child Protective Services (CPS) regional education Specialists and the CPS service program administrators to serve as the points of contact ü To view a list of CPS regional education specialists and Service program administrators visit: http: //www. dfps. state. tx. us/Child_Protection/State_Care/educat ion. asp ü To view a map of DFPS regions visit: https: //www. dfps. state. tx. us/contact_us/map. asp ü To view a list of corresponding DFPS regions, counties and local school districts visit: http: //www. dfps. state. tx. us/contact_us/counties. asp? r=all ü LEAs are required to provide assurance in their local Title I plans that they will collaborate with the State or local child welfare agency to designate a point of contact and develop clear, written procedures governing transportation 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Foster Care District Support 2016 • Foster Care/Mc. Kinney Vento Resource Webpage 2/23/16 • Foster Care Consortium Meeting 6/23/16 • Foster Care Consortium Meeting (Laredo) 11/9/16 • Foster Care Consortium Meeting 11/28/16 • Errata noticed Forwarded to Districts with invitation to Foster Care Transportation Procedures Work Session 12/2/16 • Foster Care Transportation Procedures Work Session 12/14/16 • Federal Programs Directors Meeting Presentation 2/14/17 • Finance Directors Meeting Presentation 2016 © Region One Education Service Center

Belinda S. Gorena, Administrator 956 -984 -6173 bgorena@esc 1. net Ruben Degollado, Coordinator 956 -984 -6185 rdegollado@esc 1. net Benjamin Macias, Specialist 956 -984 -6234 bmacias@esc 1. net 2016 © Region One Education Service Center