Understanding the Challenge
Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) are a priority group due to their hardship status and the higher risk of chronic absenteeism it creates. A student is eligible for STLS if they are:
- living in a shelter
- doubling up due to a loss of permanent housing, or
- do not have a fixed and adequate nighttime residence
However, receiving STLS status should not be a source of stigma, as it is a way to provide essential supports that can help a student attend school more regularly.
Strategies & Supports
Students who are eligible for STLS services must be offered supports and resources they are entitled to in order to reduce any barriers to their regular attendance and experience at school.
-
Service Support
STLS students would be routed to the school social worker, counselor or nurse if mental or physical health-related issues exist. The STLS Liaison and STLS Advocate, however, do have awareness and connections with outside agencies that support STLS students directly.
-
Hardship Transportation
A student who is in 6th grade or under, and the parent/guardian is unable to accompany them to the new school via public transportation, is considered for hardship transportation when their living situation causes them to move outside their attendance area. If a student is in need, the school-level STLS Liaison or STLS Advocate will contact the STLS Department to set up the transportation. If there is an IEP designation, the determination of who sets up the bus services happens on a case-by-case basis.
-
Bus Cards
STLS are eligible for bus cards when they live 1.5 miles away or more from the school they are attending. Note: Schools can issue daily bus cards rather than weekly bus cards if students are not attending regularly.
-
Sheltered Students Who are Not Attending
If you have any STLS students currently residing in a shelter, you can submit an inquiry in ServiceNow (under "STLS and Newcomer Student Location") to confirm their residency status. STLS or OMME staff will check with shelter management to verify whether the student is still residing in the shelter or if they have self-resolved.
Using Title 1 Funds
STLS students may have needs that, when addressed, will facilitate regular attendance. Title 1 funds that are attributed to a school for their STLS students should be thoughtfully reviewed to determine what needs might exist that are eligible for investment. Please see the eligible and recommended purchases list below:
- School supplies: Pens, pencils, paper, folders, notebooks, binders, glue, scissors, markers, calculators, rulers, poster board, backpacks, flash drives, tablets/computing devices to loan, etc.
- Clothing/uniforms: School uniforms, gym uniforms, pants, shirts, shoes, socks, winter boots, winter coats, hats, gloves, underwear, belts, etc.
- Personal items: Soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, lotion, feminine products; emergency food such as granola bars, fruit cups, dried fruit, crackers, etc.
- Tutoring or testing support: Tutoring provided by a CPS vendor, tutoring provided by a teacher receiving extended day pay, AP & IB testing, fees for ACT/SAT testing
- Medical or mental health support: Primary care, vision, dental services, mental health counseling, medical records
- Social and emotional support: Violence prevention activities, targeted social-emotional supports, and social-emotional curriculum
- Attendance support: Mentoring, home visits
- Laundry support: Washer & dryer, laundry detergent