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Caretakers are responsible for ensuring that the children (including minor parents) in their care, who receive assistance, are enrolled in and regularly attending school unless there is good cause. Minor parents may be eligible for Child Care Services; which can support the minor parent’s ability to regularly attend school. Refer the family to the Child Care Services agency within the dss agency or local community. Regular school attendance increases the likelihood that the child will graduate and find and maintain employment.
Explain to the caretakers the importance of being involved with their children’s education and that this can be achieved in several ways, including participation in parent/teacher organizations, attending meetings with teachers or guidance counselors, and helping children with their homework. Even if the caretaker is unable to help with the child’s homework, expressing an interest in the assignments and complimenting the child’s efforts can positively impact the child’s performance.
A child is expected to attend an elementary school, a secondary school (public or private), an approved home school, a vocational or technical training program which is equivalent to high school or a specialized dual track program that provides secondary education and technical training (example, NC Earn and Learn).
Home schools for children age 7 through 15 must be registered with the Department of Administration, Division of Non-Public Education. To verify whether the home school is operating legally, ask the caretaker to provide a copy of the "Notice of Intent to Operate a Home School" card issued by the Division of Non-Public Education. If the caretaker does not have a card, call the Division of Non-Public Education at (919) 733-4276 to verify the registration of a home school.
The caseworker must assist the caretaker in finding an educational, training, or work activity for a child who has completed high school, received a GED, or is suspended or expelled from school. This assistance may include providing the caretaker with referrals to or information about community agencies or other local resources.
Enrollment in and regular attendance (defined by the school or institution) at one of these alternative arrangements meets the school attendance requirement. Children who receive an out of school suspension are expected to return to school at the end of the suspension period.
State law requires children to attend school (or be registered as home schooled) through age 16. The caretaker is required to report, to the county department of social services, if a child has stopped attending school.
For children ages 16 through 18, including minor parents, the caretaker is responsible for verifying school attendance. For Payment Type 1 cases, the caretaker is responsible for verifying school attendance via the Work First Family Assistance Report which is sent to the caretaker once every three months. For Payment Type 2 (WFB) cases, address school attendance with the caretaker at a minimum of every 12 weeks.
If at any time the information is questionable, the caseworker may ask the caretaker or payee to provide a statement from the school (or other source if the child is meeting the school requirement in a setting other than the traditional public school) that the child is enrolled and attending school. Accept the school's definition of regular attendance.
The caseworker may use other means to verify school attendance. For example, some counties have established electronic means of verification of school attendance with local school systems.
The goal is to assist the caretaker with ensuring that the children return to or regularly attend school. However, unless the caretaker has good cause, apply a sanction for a child not being in school. Although the Work First case is sanctioned when a child in the case does not attend school, the goal is to help educate the child and prepare the child for employment. See Section 120 for instructions regarding sanctions.
When a caretaker in a Child Only case fails to comply with the requirement of their Mutual Responsibility Agreement (MRA), the entire case is sanctioned and will be ineligible for a Work First Family Assistance (WFFA) payment for one month or until compliance. The family remains eligible for Medicaid under the Work First Program.
If the caretaker in a Work First Benefits case fails to comply with the requirement and there is not good cause, the caseworker will not issue the Work First payment. The caseworker is to evaluate and transfer the case to Medicaid after the first month of non-compliance.
Note: County departments of social services have broad discretion in deciding when to apply a sanction. There will be situations where the caretaker is not able, in spite of their best efforts, to compel a child to attend school. If, in the judgment of the agency, the adult has made, and continues to make, their best efforts in this regard, the agency is not required to impose a sanction.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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