Information for Parents/Guardians

Families and youth in homeless situations may be unaware of their right to dispute placement and enrollment decisions.  When disputes are raised, too often, students are kept out of school during the dispute resolution process.  This interruption in education can severely damage students’ academic progress. Saint Paul Public School Policy 503.01 requires that disputes regarding the educational placement of a student in a homeless situation will be expeditiously addressed through a dispute resolution process.  Parents or guardians and unaccompanied youth must be informed of the process and in the event of the dispute, the student must be immediately enrolled in the school of choice while the dispute is being resolved. 

If a family or youth in homeless situations attending school wants to pursue their right to a dispute or if the district disagrees with a parent, guardian or homeless youth regarding an issue related to the rights of a homeless student, the following steps must be taken:

The school district must immediately enroll the students and arrange for transportation and other services as appropriate.

With the involvement of the Title I Homeless Liaison, (Heather Alden, Heather.Alden@spps.org, Office: 651-744-7173 • Cell: 651-231-0404) attempt to discuss the issues to determine if more information is needed to resolve the issue.

If the issue cannot be resolved, a letter will be issued the parent/guardian or youth explaining the district’s position as to the homelessness-related dispute.  In this letter, it is important to include referrals the district Ombudsperson (Desiree Payne 651-764-7249), advocates or attorneys.

Either party may send a written request to the Minnesota Department of Education Homeless State Coordinator asking the State Coordinator (Roberto Reyes, 651 582-8302) to review such decision compliance with applicable law.  Such request must include any documentation related to the dispute resolution proceeding.

The State Coordinator may request any additional information from either party he or she deems relevant in resolving the issue. 

To enroll your children in school, you will need to go to the Placement Center located at 2102 University Ave. W. 

If you want to speak to someone at school in reference to your living situation, you may ask to speak to the school's social worker or another support staff at your child's school.  That person will be able to refer you to resources within the community or may refer you to a school social worker at  Project REACH.

Project REACH will be able to provide transportation to your children if they are attending their school of origin. The school of origin is the school that your children attended  when you became homeless.

You should call your child's school and let them know what happened.  You can ask if there is any way they can help get your child to school.  You should also call transportation if your child does get to school so they know he/she will need a ride home on the bus.  Phone number is 651-696-9600. 

In Ramsey County, there is a Central Intake phone number. You can call 651-604-3700 for information.  They should be able to direct you to any appropriate resources for your child.  You can also call St. Paul Schools regarding their 3 and 4 yr. old programs at 651-632-3700.

YES!  Summer school is available for all children experiencing homelessness. Please ask your school for more information.

All children who are determined to be homeless are eligible for free meals at their school.  You do need to let either the school social worker or the homeless contact person at your child's school know what your living situation is.  

Yes, in appropriately placing students in the correct grade level as well as connecting to services if they are in need of special education accomodations/services,  staff at the Placement Center and the Title I Project REACH Homeless Program will contact past school districts to get academic records, health records and Special Education IEP information.

Yes, you may keep your living situation private. The Placement Center allows for private addresses to be hidden within  a file of a student.  Only certain individuals would have access to this information.  REACH staff and school personnel also have the ability to code addresses for domestic abuse womens' shelters or  addresses that are unpublished so they are not readily available.

• Our program social workers can help you with resources.  They can be called directly or you can work through the social worker at your child's school.
• If you have access to the internet or go to a public library, type in "Community Resources" for the area you are living in or any other community. You can also simply dial 211 and ask for assistance.  211 is a resource number used throughout  the Twin Cities.