2015

Home Visit Team

Goals Re-engage out of school youth and determine their enrollment status to provide them appropriate resources Target students who have dropped out, are no-shows or have chronic absences and are not meeting the performance meter If the student has dropped-out of school, attempt to engage the student in returning to a high school program If the student had excessive absences last year, listen to the reasons why this may have occurred, and offer resources to assist the family in improving the attendance this year

Home Visit Information Home visit volunteers will be placed in teams and will be asked to visit assigned homes in the community The home visit team lead must be a certificated LAUSD employee A home visit team member will be responsible for driving to assigned addresses Volunteers must commit to the entire event Home visits may result in conversations about sensitive topics and the content should remain confidential

Home Visit Packet Detailed Map and Directions Emergency Contact Label Home Visit Tips and Reminders Student Information Recommended: MiSiS-Attendance Referral Report for each identified student Home Visit Intake Form Parent Assurance Letter Home Visit Door Notice Student Story Highlight Media Release Form Resource Matrix Educational Options Flyer

Home Visit Team Guidelines Follow the lead of the District employee Visit the address listed on the student’s attendance record to establish contact with a parent or guardian Introduce yourself with your name, and state that you are visiting on behalf of the school If no one is available, leave a Home Visit Door Notice with the contact information of the Pupil Services staff member at the school

No-Show and Non-Graduates A student who is a No Show or Non-Graduate is not currently enrolled at an LAUSD school. Inquire if the student is enrolled in any school. If so, please ask for the name, location, and phone number of the school, and ask for the approximate date that the student enrolled. If not, try to gather some information and engage the parent in taking a next step to further their child’s education.

No-Shows and Potential Dropouts (Cont.) If the student is not enrolled: Ask the parent how long the student has been out of school, and why? Does the parent feel that any resources might be needed to help the family? Such as: Counseling Parenting classes Substance abuse rehabilitation The Pupil Services staff member is available to help, so please encourage the parent or guardian to call or come in for a conference.

Moved Out of Area Please ask for: The name and relationship of the person providing the information New contact information for the family, including the city and state of residence New school information Name of school City, State Phone number Approximate date of enrollment

History of Excessive Absences Introduce yourself and explain that you are visiting from the school to discuss the student’s attendance. Inquire if the parent is aware of any reasons why the student misses so much school. Express concern about the impact of excessive absences on academic progress. If you think it is appropriate, inform the parent of California Compulsory Education Code (EC 48200), which mandates that all children ages 6 to 18-years-old must attend school. Encourage the parent to meet with the Pupil Services staff member for a conference to discuss possible solutions, to request resources or to consider alternative educational options.

Home Visit Team Procedures DO: Use discretion when discussing student information Be mindful and respectful of families at all times Use suggested script to initiate conversation with family Document all family responses on Home Visit Intake Form Introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your visit Verify the parent/guardian’s name and contact phone numbers Document any changes in the family whereabouts Leave Home Visit door notice on door if family not available DO NOT: Confront anyone on the street or in the building Enter any residence where the parents are not home Try to enter a gated yard if there is evidence of a dog Tamper with mail boxes; TAMPERING WITH MAIL BOXES IS A FEDERAL OFFENCE Release any confidential information with other family members. If anyone other than parent/guardian is available, leave Home Visit Door Notice for the parent to contact the school

Mandated Reporters It is the policy of the Los Angeles Unified School District that all District employees shall report instances of suspected child abuse or neglect by telephone immediately, or as soon as practically possible, to an appropriate child protective agency. All mandated reporters with actual knowledge or reasonable suspicion of child abuse/neglect must: Call the appropriate local law enforcement department or the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) (800) 540-4000 IMMEDIATELY, or as soon as practically possible, AND Submit the written report to the agency called (DCFS) within 36 hours of receiving the information Employees reporting suspected child abuse to a school principal, site administrator, abuse to the LAUSD’s Los Angeles School Police Department (LASPD) do not fulfill their individual responsibility to make a mandated report to an appropriate child protective agency.

Psychiatric Mobile Response Team LA County Department of Mental Health ACCESS (Psychiatric Mobile Response Team - 24/7) (800) 854-7771 In the event of a critical incident, the Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams (PMRT) and School Threat Assessment Response Teams (START) respond to schools, offices, and homes. Remember that your first call in a life-threatening emergency should always be to 911.

Documentation Please record all information on the Home Visit Intake Form

Questions & Answers Student Recovery Day 2015