Families In Transition
The Board of Directors recognizes that homelessness alone is not a sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream environment. Therefore, Confluence Charter Schools, in accordance with state and federal law and the Missouri state plan for the education of children in transition, will give special attention to ensure that students in transition at Confluence Charter Schools have access to a free and appropriate public education.
If your family lives in any of the following situations:
- Sharing the housing of others (doubled up) due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- In a hotel, motel, or campground due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodation
- In a shelter
- In a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station
Your school-age children may qualify you for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.
Confluence Charter Schools has established a Families in Transition Coordinator who is responsible for:
- Ensuring that children in transition or migrant children are immediately enrolled in school, pending the resolution of any disputes
- Assisting parents with enrollment (including obtaining school, medical or immunization records)
- Coordinating transportation services
- Serving as a link between in transition and migrant families and school staff, Human Resource Office personnel, shelter workers, social service providers and the Missouri State Homeless Coordinator
- Handling disputes over enrollment, school placement, or transportation.
Enrollment
Confluence Charter Schools will consider the best interest of the student in transition, with parental involvement, in determining whether the student should be enrolled in the school of origin or the school of residency. There are two choices for a student in transition, the school of origin and the school of residency. The school of origin is the school the child attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled. The school of residency is the school serving the area where the child or youth is currently physically dwelling. When determining the school of best interest, the child or youth should remain in the school of origin (to the extent feasible) unless doing so is contrary to the wishes of the parent or guardian.
Transportation
When a student or youth’s school of origin and temporary housing are located within Confluence Charter Schools, Confluence will provide transportation to and from the school of origin at the request of the parent or guardian provided it is in the best interest of the child. If the student in transition’s school of origin and temporary housing are located in two different school districts, the districts will equally share the responsibility and costs for transporting the student.
Resolving Grievances
Level I - A complaint regarding the placement or education of a student in transition shall first be presented orally and informally to Confluence’s coordinator for students in transition. If the complaint is not resolved, the complainant may present a formal written complaint (grievance) to the students in transition coordinator. The written charge must include the following information: date of filing, description of alleged grievances, the name of the person or persons involved and a summary of the action taken during the informal charge. Within (5) business days after receiving the complaint, the coordinator shall state a decision in writing to the complainant, with supporting evidence and reasons. In addition, the coordinator will inform the chief executive officer of the formal complaint and the disposition.
Dr. Leslie Muhammad
Families in Transition & Parent Involvement Coordinator
314-588-8554