The district, in accordance with state and federal law and the Kansas state plan, will ensure that homeless children in the school district have access to a free and appropriate public education.  Homeless students are individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. For the purposes of this policy, a student awaiting foster care placement shall not be considered homeless.

District Homeless Student Liaison

The board designates the following individual to act as the district's homeless student liaison:

Name: Robert Kordalski
Address: 35200 W 91st Street, De Soto, KS 66018
Email: rkordalski@usd232.org
Phone: 913-667-6200
Fax: 913-667-6201

The district shall inform school personnel, service providers, and advocates working with homeless families of the duties of this liaison.

The district homeless student liaison shall ensure:

1. homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies;
2. homeless children and youths are enrolled in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in, district schools;
3. homeless families and homeless children and youths have access to and receive educational services for which such families, children, and youths are eligible, including services through Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs) under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), early intervention services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), and other preschool programs administered by the local educational agency;
4. homeless families and homeless children and youths receive referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health and substance abuse services, housing services, and other appropriate services;
5. the parents or guardians of homeless children and youths are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children;
6. public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youths is disseminated in locations frequented by parents or guardians of such children and youths, and unaccompanied youths, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and soup kitchens, in a manner and form understandable to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths, and unaccompanied youths;
7. enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with these regulations;
8. the parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth, and any unaccompanied youth, is fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin, and is assisted in accessing transportation to the school that is selected;
9. school personnel providing services under these regulations receive professional development and other support; and
10. unaccompanied youths:
    • are enrolled in school;
    • have opportunities to meet the same challenging state academic standards as Kansas establishes for other children and youth; and
    • are informed of their status as independent students under federal law regarding student financial assistance for higher education acquisition and that the youths may obtain assistance from the district homeless student liaison to receive verification of such status for purposes of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

Kansas Mobile Crisis Helpline

Crisis support for Kansas families and children to resolve an emotional, psychiatric, or behavioral health crisis is available through the Department of Children and Families Mobile Crisis Helpline, 1-833-441-2240, including:

• Problem solving to resolve behavioral health crisis;
• Referral to community resources or recommendation to engage in stabilization services;
• In-person support via mobile crisis response; and
• Contacting mobile crisis response unit to assist in emergency situations.

Services are available to all Kansans 20 years or younger including anyone in foster care or formerly in foster care.