Special Education Listserv

Subject: Education of Homeless Children with Disabilities Q&A

Source: Margaret Strecker, Director, Compliance

Intended Audience: Directors of Special Education

Date: May 22, 2008

The U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has posted a Questions and Answers document addressing services for homeless children with disabilities on their website.  The document can be viewed at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/policy.html.

Examples of topics addressed in the document include: a definition of homelessness and rights a homeless child receives under the McKinney-Vento Act; Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements relating to child find, evaluations, and individualized education programs (IEPs); surrogate parents for unaccompanied homeless youth; and, information about schools of origin and educational placements for homeless children with disabilities under IDEA.