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Homeless & Foster Care

Colearn Academy is committed to ensuring that students experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or foster care have access to educational opportunities, services, and support that promote academic stability and success.

McKinney-Vento & Homeless Education

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act helps ensure that students experiencing homelessness or housing instability have access to the education, services, and support they need to succeed in school.

Students may qualify for McKinney-Vento services if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This may include students and families who are temporarily staying with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, living in a motel or shelter, or experiencing other temporary or unstable housing situations.

Colearn Academy is committed to helping eligible students enroll, participate fully in school, and access available educational and support services.

If you are experiencing housing instability or believe your student may qualify for McKinney-Vento services, please contact Colearn Academy’s McKinney-Vento Liaison:

Nicole Sellars
 nsellars@colearn-academy.com 

 View McKinney-Vento Policy 

McKinney-Vento Information & Resources for Families

The following resources provide additional information about educational rights, services, and supports available to students and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

 Parent Brochure – English 

 Una Guía Para Padres De Niños sin Hogar 

 Educational Rights of Parents 

 School Help for Homeless Children with Disabilities 

 National Center for Homeless Education 

 South Carolina Food Access Map 

 South Carolina Services for Families 


Students in Foster Care

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) establishes protections designed to promote school access, educational stability, and improved educational outcomes for children and youth in foster care.

The South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Department of Social Services work together to provide guidance to schools and child welfare agencies in identifying and supporting students in foster care and implementing applicable ESSA provisions.

Colearn Academy is committed to supporting the educational stability and success of students in foster care. For questions or assistance regarding educational services for a student in foster care, please contact Colearn Academy’s Foster Care Liaison:

Amber Robinson
 arobinson@colearn-academy.com 

Foster Care Resources

 Foster Care Transition Toolkit 

 Guidance for Foster Care 

 SCDE Guidance for Foster Care 

 USDE Guidance for Foster Care 

 SC Education Bill of Rights for Children in Foster Care 

Foster Care Forms

 Best Interest Determination Form 

 Immediate Enrollment Form 

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