NBISD SAFE-T Program

"Homeless children and youth" refers to kids and teenagers who do not have a stable place to live at night. This includes those who are staying with other people because they lost their own homes, faced financial difficulties, or for similar reasons. It also includes those living in temporary places like motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds because they don't have any other suitable options. Children and youth in emergency or transitional shelters, abandoned in hospitals, or waiting for foster care are also considered homeless.

Additionally, it includes children and youth who stay in public or private places not meant for regular sleeping, like parks, cars, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings. Migratory children who meet the definition of homelessness outlined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 also fall under this category.

• View the McKinney-Vento Definition of Homelessness (legislative excerpt)
• View the full text of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Title IX, Part A of ESSA)

All McKinney Vento students have the right to immediate enrollment. A school must immediately enroll a homeless student, even if the student does not have the documents generally required for enrollment, such as academic and medical/immunization records or proof of residency. Once enrolled, the Homeless Education Liaison of the school must help the family obtain the necessary records and/or immunizations.

The right to choose what school to attend

• Students have the right to continue attending their “school of origin.” The “school of origin” is the school where the child or youth was last enrolled or the school the child or youth was attending when s/he became homeless. The school district shall keep a student in the “school of origin” unless it goes against the parent's wishes. The student also has the option of enrolling in the school where he is currently living.
• If the parent requests the school, the district must provide the parent with a written explanation of the decision, which includes the right to appeal the decision.
• The school district must make placement decisions based on the best interests of the student.
• If the student obtains permanent housing during the school year, they have the right to stay in their current school until the end of the school year.

The right to transportation

• The parent or guardian (or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the school homeless liaison) of a homeless student may request transportation be provided to and from school. If the student is still in the same district as the school of origin, the school district must provide transportation. If the student is not living within the district of the school of origin, the district of origin and the district where the student is living must determine how to share transportation costs and responsibilities. If the districts cannot come to an agreement, then the responsibility and costs must be shared equally. In general, transportation time should be limited to one hour or less in each direction.
• Please note the transportation provisions of McKinney-Vento only apply to students who are currently homeless. If a student obtains permanent housing and continues to attend his/her school of origin until the end of the school year, the continued provision of transportation is at the discretion of the district of origin.
• The right to participate in the same programs and activities as other students.
• Homeless students have the same rights as all other students to participate in school nutrition, after-school, and special education programs.
• Homeless students who qualify for special education services must be provided appropriate services based on the information that is available to the school. A school may not delay providing such services based on the non-receipt of school records. 

Under the Act, every school district is required to have a Homeless Education Liaison. It is the job of the Liaison to ensure that homeless students have the same opportunities as all other students, which includes ensuring that homeless students can attend school, set up free meals through nutrition services, arrange for transportation in a timely manner, keep the school staff informed of the rights of homeless students, and provide appropriate referrals to service providers. 

The McKinney-Vento Act’s definition of unaccompanied youth [42 U.S.C. § 11434a(6)] includes youth who are “not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.” In the context of education and homelessness, unaccompanied youth are individuals under the age of 18 not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian and lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.

Unaccompanied youth may face challenging circumstances, such as being on their own due to family conflict, parental neglect or abandonment, escaping an abusive environment, or being forced to leave home for various reasons. They often find themselves without a stable place to live, relying on friends, extended family members, shelters, or other temporary accommodations.

Unaccompanied youth have the same rights and protections under the McKinney-Vento Act when it comes to enrolling in and attending schools, just as someone who is identified as homeless.

Under Texas law, foster care students may be identified as McKinney Vento / homeless students, depending on their placement by the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). These students are entitled to immediate enrollment when arriving at a new school or district — regardless of whether they have the necessary documentation and paperwork. Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers are required to enroll a child in school within three (3) school days of the child either: a) being placed in CPS custody; or b) moving to a new school or placement. The caseworker then has up to 30 days to provide all necessary enrollment paperwork to the new school. The District will follow up to ensure a student:

• Has his or her records requested and received;
• Is placed in the appropriate grade level and classes;
• Receives his or her books; and
• Receives special education services, if appropriate.

Texas Systems Working Together to Transform Education Outcomes of Students in Foster Care (PDF)

The following laws are identified in the Texas Education Code addressing students in foster care:

• Data sharing and data collection requirements in PEIMS - TEC § 7.029 (Chapter 1 (PDF), p. 16; Chapter 5 (PDF), pgs. 45-46)
• Immediate school enrollment without records - TEC § 25.002(g) (Chapter 7 (PDF), p. 56)
• Attendance in the school the student was enrolled immediately before entering conservatorship, even when placed outside of the district attendance zone, until the student successfully completes the highest grade level offered by the school - TEC § 25.001(g) (Chapter 8 (PDF), p. 62)
• Excused absences for court-ordered appointments - TEC § 25.087 (Chapter 10 (PDF), p. 75)
• 11th or 12th grade student who transfers to a new school district and does not meet the graduation requirements of the new school district may request a diploma from the former school district, when on-track to graduate at the previous school - TEC § 28.025 (Chapter 9 (PDF), p. 92)
• Free eligibility for PRE-K - TEC § 29.153(b)(6) (Chapter 10 (PDF), p. 74)
• Accelerated instruction (at-risk indicators and compensatory education) - TEC § 29.081(d)(11) (Chapter 6 (PDF), p. 51; Chapter 11 (PDF), pgs. 82-83)
• Free lifetime college tuition and fees waiver. The waiver is activated when a student enrolls in dual credit or another course where a student may earn college credit- TEC § 54.366 – (Chapter 13 (PDF), pgs. 104-106)
• School districts and open-enrollment charter schools are required to appoint a Foster Care Liaison and notify TEA of their Foster Care Liaison appointment - TEC § 33.904 (Chapter 5 (PDF), p. 44)
• Transition Assistance from one school to another of students in foster care - TEC § 25.007 (Chapter 11 (PDF), pgs. 84-91).

• How is homeless defined under McKinney-Vento?
  • Under the McKinney-Vento Act, the term “homeless children and youths” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
• What living situation is considered homeless under McKinney-Vento?
  • Homeless children and youth who are:
    • Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing or economic hardship;
    • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds;
    • Living in emergency or transitional shelters; and/or
    • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or substandard housing.
• What are the rights of students served under McKinney-Vento?
  • Receive a free, appropriate public education;
  • Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment;
  • Enroll in school and attend classes while the school works to gather the  important documents;
  • Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school of origin, if preferred;
  • Receive transportation to and from their school of origin; and 
  • Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the students’ needs.
• How are students and families identified within our district?
  • Students are identified via an online school enrollment form called a Student Residency Questionnaire. School staff, teachers, counselors, and even peers can often identify students who are experiencing homelessness through observations, conversations, or behavior changes. Additionally, families or students themselves may self-identify as homeless to school staff. After students are identified, students and their families (if available) will meet with the District’s Homeless Liaison to ensure each student meets the McKinney Vento definition of being homeless.
• How long are students and families eligible to receive services?
  • Once it is determined that the student/family meets the homeless definition under McKinney-Vento, families are eligible to receive services through the SAFE-T program. These students remain eligible for the remainder of the school year, and eligibility is reassessed every school year to continue participation in the program.
• Who are the designated campus staff providing services to students/families through the SAFE-T program?
  • The SAFE-T program team collaborates with campus staff and other departments to provide services and support as needed. The SAFE-T team campus assignments for each elementary, middle school, and high school can be found on our SAFE-T program homepage. 
• How can students and families be referred for homeless assistance?
  • Referrals to the SAFE-T program can be made by phone, referral form, or direct email.
    • Phone: 830-643-5736/830-643-5797(PK-8th) & 830-627-6013(9th-12th)
    • Email: Safe-t@nbisd.org
    • Referral Form: MV Referral (9th-12th grade ONLY)
       

• Who is in foster care?
  • The term foster care refers to all children and youth who are in the custody of the State of Texas due to abuse and/or neglect, regardless of their living arrangements.
• How are students in foster care identified within our district?
  • Students are identified via the online enrollment process. If the guardian/caregiver replies “yes” to whether the student is in the conservatorship of DFPS, they are directed to provide a copy of the CPS Form 2085 to their campus staff. 
• Who is the designated person on campus for collecting the CPS Form 2085?
  • The campus registrar or clerk obtains a copy of the CPS Form 2085 from the legal guardian during the enrollment process. 
• Who is working with students in foster care and providing services?
  • School leadership and student services staff assigned to campuses collaborate with campus staff and other departments to provide the necessary support and services needed. 
• What support and services are available for students in foster care?
  • Students in foster care are entitled to receive support to help maintain 
  • Educational stability, such as immediate enrollment, nutrition services, and transportation planning, as well as access to school-wide programs and transitional services for college and career options.

Post-secondary education for Foster students