Policy Effective: August 1, 2020

For children to properly progress in school, school attendance, satisfactory school performance and appropriate behavior at school is essential. When a parent chooses not to enforce school attendance and/or work with appropriate officials to resolve a child’s school performance and/or school behavior problems, this can be an indication that there are underlying family problems that need to be addressed. These family problems should be resolved through a cooperative public and private partnership with the family.

Requirements

Children between the ages of 6 and not yet 16 are required to attend school or be excused by the school from attending.

Children 16 to 18, who are NOT parents and have been identified as not attending school or working full time, are required to develop an employment plan with a Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Employment Counselor.

Children 16-18/19 who are identified as attending school full time must have attendance verified.

Failure of a child 16 to 18 to attend school will not disqualify the child from the Financial assistance payment if the child is participating in the activities on their employment plan.

If a child 16 to 18 chooses not to participate in the development of an employment plan, the activity review process must be started. Based on the results of the activity review process, the Employment Counselor will make the decision whether to disqualify the child from the financial assistance payment.

Children who are 18 but not yet 19 and who attend school full time must expect to graduate by their 19th birthday to be considered an eligible dependent child.

Children 7-15, who are not in school full time, will be excluded from the Financial assistance payment.

Verification Of School Attendance – Age 6 through age 15

At application and review, customer statement is acceptable as verification of student attendance for children age 6 - 15.

If an application or review is received when school is not in session and the customer indicates the child will return when school resumes after the break, this is acceptable and there is no need to ask the question again when school resumes.

If an application or review is received when school is not in session and the customer does not know if the child will return to school after the break, then we must set a task to ask the question again when school resumes.

For children identified as being home schooled, or who are completing their school courses online, accept customer statement regarding school district approval.

For Refugee children, accept customer statement that the steps are being taken to enroll the child in school. At review, Refugee households will follow regular FEP requirements for school attendance verification.

Verification of School Attendance - Age 16 through 18/19

At Application and Review, verification of school attendance, or proof that the school has excused regular attendance, must be provided.

If an application or review for FEP is received when school is not in session, verification is not required until school resumes after the break.

For Refugee children not yet enrolled in school at initial application, verification of the efforts to complete the steps necessary for school enrollment must be provided for each child age 16-18/19 who is included in the FEP grant.

Children identified as being home schooled, or who are completing their school courses online, a statement or collateral contact with the school district is required to verify the curriculum has been approved and accepted by the school district as meeting school attendance requirements or that the child is excused from regular attendance.

Acceptable Verification for children age 16 – 18/19

A copy of the latest report card for the child verifying attendance if the report card is for the current school year; or

A form 126, or other similar type of document, completed by the school verifying attendance; or

In person or telephone contact by a DWS worker to the school or a knowledgeable source (e.g., FACT worker) verifying attendance; or

A certificate issued by the local board of education stating that the child has "good cause" to be excused from attendance. The time frame that the child has been excluded must be specified on the certificate. A certificate may be issued for a number of reasons, including such as the minor is taught at home in subjects prescribed by the State Board of Education, or the minor has a physical or mental condition which renders attendance inexpedient and impracticable.

For Refugee children not yet enrolled in school, verification of the appointment with the health care provider/health screening clinic to complete health screenings and/or immunization requirements. This may be a copy of the scheduled appointment schedule, a collateral contact with the health care provider, or contact with the Refugee Resettlement agency worker who is assisting the household with this process.

A statement or collateral contact with the school district.

If the child who is disqualified is the only eligible child, the parent may still receive financial assistance for him/herself as long as all other eligibility requirements are met.

If the child who is disqualified is the only person in the household who is included in the financial assistance payment, the case must be closed.

A child will be immediately restored to the financial assistance payment effective the first of the month when the school states regular attendance has resumed, or a certificate excusing the child from attendance has been issued. If necessary, issue a supplemental payment to assure that the child was added back to the financial assistance payment for the month the school stated regular attendance resumed.