1. 2017

2. Home Visit Team

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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
Enrollment Verification Form
Home Visit Door Notice
Student Story Highlight
Media Release Form
Resource Matrix
Educational Options Flyer

6. 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 or staff member assigned at the school

7. 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. Have parent sign Parent Assurance Letter (PAL)
If not, try to gather some information and engage the parent in taking a next step to further their child’s education. Request a parent conference, to sit down and discuss educational options.

8. 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?
Document on intake form as much information as you can gather.
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.

9. 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

10. 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 or designated staff at school site for a conference to discuss possible solutions, to request resources or to consider alternative educational options.

11. 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

12. 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) 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.

13. Psychiatric Mobile Response Team
LA County Department of Mental Health ACCESS (Psychiatric Mobile Response Team - 24/7) (800) 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.

14. Documentation
Please record all information on the Home Visit Intake Form

15. Questions
Everyone