The New Jersey Department Education recently issued an advisory to facilitate a smooth enrollment process for students displaced by natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.), enabling those students to resume their education as efficiently as possible.
Natural disasters throughout the nation often lead to an increase in the number of displaced families seeking shelter in New Jersey. Pursuant to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence are considered homeless and are eligible for services. Section725 of the McKinney-Vento Act further defines criteria for students experiencing homelessness.
Enrollment/School Records
The documents typically needed for school enrollment are waived for homeless students. Consequently, districts cannot delay the enrollment of displaced students and must enroll these students immediately – even if they do not have any school records. Children unable to produce enrollment records, such as previous academic records, records of immunization and other required health records, residency affidavits, or other documentation, should still be immediately enrolled (McKinney-Vento Act §721(2); §722(g)(3)(C)). For more information regarding students’ enrollment/school records see N.J.A.C. 6A:17-1.1.
Required Health Services
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.2(l), students entering a New Jersey school for the first time are required to have an entry medical exam, screenings of vision, hearing, blood pressure, height, weight, and, if age 10 to 18, a scoliosis screening. Additionally, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:16-2.2(g), the entry medical examination must include a review of immunizations pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.1 through 4.24 and the medical history, including allergies, past serious illnesses, injuries, operations, medications, and current health problems. If a student does not have a medical home, as defined at N.J.A.C. 6A:16-1.3, the school district shall provide the entry medical examination at the school physician’s office or other comparably equipped facility, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:40-4.
Under New Jersey Department of Health regulations (N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.5(e)), children transferring into a New Jersey school, preschool, or child-care center from out-of-state or out-of-country shall be allowed a 30-day grace period to obtain past immunization documentation before the child is placed on provisional status. If the student’s past immunization documentation is not provided before the expiration of the 30-day grace period, the student shall be granted provisional admission in compliance with the specific requirements set forth in N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.5.
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 8:57-4.6, all immunization records submitted by a parent or guardian in a language other than English are required to be accompanied by a translation sufficient to determine compliance with the immunization requirements. For additional information, please refer to the May 31, 2023, Translation of Student Immunization Records broadcast.
Tuition and Transportation
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:17-2.8(c)2, when a student’s district of origin/residence is outside of New Jersey, the state of New Jersey assumes fiscal responsibility for the student and pays the school district in which the child is currently enrolled. For information regarding the process for tuition reimbursement for state responsible homeless students, please see the Tuition Reimbursement for State Responsible Homeless Children and Youth Guidance.
District Homeless Liaisons
District homeless liaisons are a crucial component of the enrollment process for displaced children and youth. Liaisons should work in collaboration with district enrollment personnel, school counselors, parents and other student support services personnel to ensure all children are enrolled, receiving health services and being provided educational continuity.
For any questions or clarification, please visit the NJDOE’s McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth webpage or e-mail the NJDOE.