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Aimless78 t1_ir8xnw1 wrote

Have her contact the school, the one she would go to based on where you live, and she can claim to be a homeless teen. The school can then enroll her.

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DebbieDunnbbar OP t1_ir8yzbb wrote

I didn’t realize that was a thing, but it makes sense. I may be fucked on that, though. We’ve had extensive conversations with the school staff trying to work this out, so they’d have to be willing to feign ignorance because they know she’s not homeless.

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Aimless78 t1_ir910pn wrote

But she is technically homeless, you all are just letting her stay there so she isn't out on the streets.

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DebbieDunnbbar OP t1_ir91gn5 wrote

I mean, would they consider her that? They know she lives with her father and stepmother in a motel five days a week because we told them. She’s only at our house on the weekend.

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CCrabtree t1_ir9g8db wrote

Yes. Homeless as defined by schools includes motels and staying with other people.

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notricktoadulting t1_iraqzks wrote

Tell the school you believe she qualifies for services under McKinney-Vento. Use those words. Any student who lacks a fixed, permanent address can attend the school of last residence, and the school is REQUIRED to provided transportation. This is federal law.

I work for a school district in KC. If you need help accessing resources, please feel free to DM me. I’m sure I can find someone in your district willing to help.

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DebbieDunnbbar OP t1_iraxa1o wrote

Thank you! I appreciate it. I’ll probably PM you some questions tonight.

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the_honeyman t1_ir972bz wrote

Tell them she got kicked out. They're not going to go investigate.

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_ism_ t1_ir9io34 wrote

It certainly did once I learned a little bit about the training social workers at one door must undergo to take the vi spdat, which is what homeless people call the survey. It's really just an algorithm that assesses all of your different vulnerabilities as a homeless person that you are experiencing. In my time being homeless I found that a lot of people assume what things mean on that survey and believe that they need to lie about it to get better results. And the case workers don't exactly help you answer or understand what your answers on that decision algorithm actually translate to in terms of assistance. Once I learned more about it I was able to qualify myself into Housing Programs although it was still a couple of years of waiting list and motel vouchers. Part of it involved admitting to some motel and couch stays before qualifying.

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youshouldntdothat2 t1_irc2ylg wrote

I have had kids in schools in the surrounding area and had to do this for a child that was staying with me. If you have questions feel free to ask and go to the superintendent. They have the power to help, or at least that is who helped me.

Ps, they consider not living with parents or legal guardian homeless.

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thearticulategrunt t1_ir91hoz wrote

MO department of elementary and secondary education, Section B.1. She may very well qualify as homeless. Hope this helps.

https://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/student-support-services/homeless-children-youth

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DebbieDunnbbar OP t1_ir91sdn wrote

You’re right, it looks like she meets the technical definition of homeless according to this. This is great. Thank you!

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