We will be welcoming a large group of Afghan refugees next week, and we are starting the conversation around support and school enrollment for the children. I am familiar with McKinney-Vento language inclusive of migrant families, but is there anything in the language that would address the needs of refugees specifically?

Sep 3, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: There is nothing in the McKinney-Vento Act particular to refugees. However, the McKinney-Vento Act applies fully to all refugees experiencing homelessness. In general, liaisons receiving families from Afghanistan should identify them as McKinney-Vento eligible...

Can unaccompanied youth consent for a COVID-19 vaccine without a parent or legal guardian?

Apr 26, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: Medical consent laws for minors vary depending on the state and the type of care.  In most states, unaccompanied youth under age 18 can consent for routine medical care, which would encompass vaccines. A few states have specific laws on immunizations. For a...

I am working with an 18 year old unaccompanied youth. I understand that once a youth turns 18, they gain control over their education record. However, I also was told that if a child is being claimed on a parent’s income tax, the district needs to inform them that the 18 year old student requested to have them removed from the contact list and that the district is still responsible to the parent as well. Is this true?

Apr 15, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: FERPA states that parents claiming a student as a dependent on their income may access education records even after the student turns 18.  However, that law does not give parents the right to be listed as a contact and does not give them the right to be...

We have an unaccompanied 17 year old student who wants to drop out. She does not want her father (her only parent) to know. Can she sign her own papers for dropping out? Do we need to tell the parent?

Apr 15, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: In general, the process for dropping out should be the same for this student as for other students. However, prior to informing the student’s father, it would be critical to discuss potential safety issues with her. For example, does the student fear abuse or...

Can we provide our Head Start agency with letters verifying homelessness? In our area, children experiencing homelessness automatically receive child care subsidies, so we provide letters.

Apr 15, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: Under FERPA, it depends on a few things. First, is the Head Start program administered by the school district?  If so, you can share the information, because you are sharing it with another district official for a legitimate educational reason. If not, do the...

A question about liability for COVID-19 transmission: If there is an unaccompanied student who needs to test for a GED, who would authorize the student to go to an in-person testing sites, and who would be liable if the student contracted COVID? What if the school district refers students to local community agencies for services– would the district be liable if the students went and then got COVID?

Apr 15, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: In terms of authorizing an unaccompanied youth to go to a GED testing site or a community agency, the district should follow whatever the policy is for other activities for unaccompanied youth. Most districts let youth make decisions about enrollment,...