RCW 28A.707.050: School district liaisons.

(1) Each school district liaison for homeless children and youths, designated under RCW 28A.707.020(1)(j)(ii), shall ensure that:

(a) Homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies;

(b) Homeless children and youths are enrolled in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in, schools of that school district;

(c) 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. Sec. 9831 et seq., early intervention services under Part C of the individuals with disabilities education act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1431 et seq., and other preschool programs administered by the school district;

(d) 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;

(e) 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;

(f) 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;

(g) Enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with RCW 28A.707.030(5);

(h) 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, as described in RCW 28A.707.020(1)(j)(iii), and is assisted in accessing transportation to the school that is selected under RCW 28A.707.030(1);

(i) School personnel providing services under this chapter receive professional development and other support; and

(j) Unaccompanied youths:

(i) Are enrolled in school;

(ii) Have opportunities to meet the same challenging state academic standards as the state establishes for other children and youth, including through implementation of the procedures under RCW 28A.707.020(1)(f)(ii); and

(iii) Are informed of their status as independent students under 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1087vv and that the youths may obtain assistance from the school district liaison to receive verification of such status for purposes of the free application for federal student aid described in 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1090.

(2) The coordinator for education of homeless children and youths established under RCW 28A.707.060 and school districts shall inform school personnel, service providers, advocates working with homeless families, parents and guardians of homeless children and youths, and homeless children and youths of the duties of the school district liaisons, and publish an annually updated list of the school district liaisons on the website of the office of the superintendent of public instruction.

(3) School district liaisons for homeless children and youths shall, as a part of their duties, coordinate and collaborate with the coordinator for education of homeless children and youths established under RCW 28A.707.060 and community and school personnel responsible for the provision of education and related services to homeless children and youths. Such coordination must include collecting and providing to the coordinator for education of homeless children and youths the reliable, valid, and comprehensive data needed to meet the requirements of RCW 28A.707.060(2) (a) and (c).

(4)(a) Each school district that receives funding provided by specific reference for this chapter in the omnibus appropriations act shall review and revise any policies that may act as barriers to the identification of homeless children and youths or the enrollment of homeless children and youths in schools that are selected in accordance with best interest determinations for the students.

(b) In reviewing and revising such policies, consideration must be given to issues concerning transportation, immunization, residency, birth certificates, school records and other documentation, and guardianship.

(c) Special attention must be given to ensuring the identification, enrollment, and attendance of homeless children and youths who are not currently attending school.