Students in Foster Care are supported by the Austin ISD Project HELP Program

Who Can Enroll a Foster Student?

A student may be enrolled by either a representative from Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or Child Protective Services (CPS); or an individual from the student’s foster placement, such as a foster parent or representative of the shelter.

Forms and Court Documents Needed to Enroll the Student 

• Proof of legal authority to enroll student;
  • Either DFPS Form 2085; or a court order naming a DFPS Temporary Managing Conservator or a Permanent Managing Conservator;
  • These forms are protected under FERPA and must be stored securely in the Project HELP Program office located at 2613 Rogers Ave. Room 207, Austin, Texas 78722.

• Certified copy of student’s birth certificate or other proof of identity (allow 90 days for children not born in the United States);

• Student’s immunization records (student may be enrolled provisionally, even if he or she has not had the necessary immunizations); and

• Students’ records from school most recently attended.

• If the student is under 11 years of age, the name of each previous school attended by the student and the records from those schools are needed.

• Students may either continue attending their current school or a school in that feeder pattern or enroll in the school in the attendance zone of their placement.

• If the student is to be enrolled based on the location of his/her placement, standard proof of residency is required (lease, utility bill, or other document allowed by campus).

• Student must be coded with the appropriate “Foster Care” at-risk indicator in PEIMS. Also, T.E.C. 7.029(b-1) requires districts to report a foster care indicator through PEIMS.

NOTE: If a student is involved with CPS, but not in conservatorship or substitute care, or is awaiting foster placement, the McKinney Vento Act applies.

Immediate Enrollment 

The student should be enrolled immediately, any time of day, even if the student does not have all of the necessary paperwork. While it is requested that foster parents, placement agencies, and other residential facilities call ahead for enrollment, this is not required. 

If required forms and records are not received 30 days after student is enrolled, district shall notify the police department and request a determination of whether the child has been reported missing.

Obtaining Records from Student’s Prior School 

Student records must be transferred no later than 10 working days after the student enrolls in another school.

If necessary, contact the District Foster Care Liaison in the district the student attended for assistance.

See the TEA website for list of liaisons.  

Documents and IDs Required to Access Student and Student’s Records

The student’s attorney ad litem and guardian ad litem (including CASA representatives) may contact the school regarding the student’s educational status and needs. These individuals must have a court order or notification letter of assignment. The attorney ad litem is entitled to records related to the student, including school records, without a further order or release.

A student’s caseworker may access any educational records a parent could access for a student in DFPS conservatorship. To obtain the files, the caseworker only needs to provide the school with a badge showing employment with CPS.

When in doubt, ask to see either the court order or DFPS Form 2085 or contact the student’s caseworker.

The Uninterrupted Scholars Act permits educational agencies and institutions to disclose education records of students in foster care to state and county social service agencies or child welfare agencies. 

What to Do When a Student Withdraws

Be sure the student’s caseworker or guardian is provided with all of the student’s records, including a transcript, and documentation of any educational services or referrals in place, such as 504 services, special education or gifted and talented. 

Ensure the student’s new school receives the student’s record within 10 days of enrollment at the new campus. 

Meeting the Student’s Needs

Students in foster care are presented with unique challenges including separation from family, instability, incomplete or missing records, missed class time, special needs that have not been met, behavioral challenges, and safety concerns. It is important that the student feels welcomed and supported on the campus.

Maintain confidentiality as it is important the student is not labeled as a foster care child and that any related matters be discussed in private. Federal and state laws and policies require that a student’s status of being in DFPS conservatorship be kept confidential, except on a need-to-know basis.

Inform the student of safe places to go if the student needs emotional support such as, the counselor’s office, Principal’s office, Assistant Principal’s office, or another campus location as deemed appropriate by the campus leadership.

Contact Us

Project HELP
Department of Student Support Services
Campbell Elementary School
2613 Rogers Ave. Room 207
Austin, TX 78722
Office: 512-414-3690
Fax: 512-414-0761

Carla Grace Scott
Administrative Supervisor & District Homeless/Foster Care Liaison
carla.g.scott@austinisd.org

Project Hope & Empowerment ~ Leveraging Possibilities (Project HELP)

Our Mission

Project HELP's mission is to ensure the educational rights and protections due under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to all students experiencing homelessness

Program Goals

Three primary goals of Project HELP include: (1) providing services to an increasing number of Austin ISD students under McKinney-Vento, (2) maintaining partnerships/collaborations with our many community resource collaborators, and (3) ensuring our service strategies are student-centered and aligned with students foremost being academically successful.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

To view the law

Eligibility for services

• Living in shared housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, cars, substandard housing, abandoned buildings, and/or campgrounds
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Being an unaccompanied youth (not living with a parent or guardian) living in a temporary situation
• Being a migratory child who is living in any of the above circumstance

Parent and Student Educational Rights

• Immediate enrollment
• Removal of barriers to school enrollment
• School selection
• Transportation assistance (school bus or VIA)
• Immediate eligibility for free child nutrition

TEA McKinney Vento Flyer for Parents - English
TEA McKinney Vento Flyer for Parents - Spanish
TEA McKinney Vento Flyer for Students - English
TEA McKinney Vento Flyer for Students - Spanish

Resources

Contact Us

Project HELP
Student Support Services
Campbell Elementary School
2613 Rogers Ave. Room 207
Austin, TX 78722
Office: 512-414-3690

• Carla Grace Scott, Administrative Supervisor & District Homeless/Foster Care Liaison
  512-414-1700 ext. 57613
  carla.g.scott@austinisd.org
   
• Laurie Lopez, Program Specialist
  512-414-3690 ext. 56764
  laurie.lopez@austinisd.org
•  
• Howard Hooper, Jr., Project Supervisor
• 512-414-3690 ext. 55963
  howard.hooper@austinisd.org
•  
• Kevin Hopper, Project Supervisor
  512-414-3690 ext. 58142
  kevin.hopper@austinisd.org
•  
• Annalee Perez-Chaumont, Project Supervisor
  512-414-1700 ext. 74406
  annalee.perez-chaumont@austinisd.org

2026–27 Austin ISD Enrollment

How to Get Registration Support this Summer >

Welcome!

Austin ISD is committed to ensuring your child is college, career, and life ready. Every day and in every classroom from Pre-K to 12th grade, we offer a safe and healthy school environment that is academically rigorous and supported by a nationally-recognized focus on social-emotional learning. From Fine Arts, Dual Language, Career & Technical Education, and STEM, to Athletics, Magnet Programs, and more, we invite you and your family to Find Your Seat at Austin ISD.

Enroll Today

The Austin ISD 3rd Base After-School Program is a tuition-based, licensed childcare operation that currently services 25 elementary campuses within the district. This campus based program will allow a seamless transition from the classroom to after-school care for students in grades PK4 - 5th. The intent of the program is to provide a safe environment that enhances the student experience through quality programming and experiences. The 3rd Base Program is owned and operated by the school district.

The goals of the 3rd Base Program are:

• Focus on the educational, social, and physical needs of all children.
• Provide working families with a safe and secure environment for after-school care.
• Attract and maintain quality staff dedicated to the well being of all children.
• Expand community outreach and partner involvement.
• Leverage technology to meet student, parent, and administrative needs.

What is ACE Austin?

ACE Austin is an expanded learning program that takes place before school, afterschool, and in the summer. 

ACE Austin is funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. ACE Austin programming is completely free to participants, including ongoing family engagement opportunities. Student activities are offered for at least 15 hours per week outside of the regular school day and at least five weeks in the summer.

Each ACE Austin program is managed by a full-time Site Coordinator who works with school leadership to supplement and support the academic and social-emotional needs of the campus.

ACE Austin offers activities in four component areas: academic assistance, academic enrichment, college and career readiness, and family engagement.

Every ACE Austin program offers supplemental support in reading and math. Other activity topics may include: writing, science, engineering, robotics, dance, theater, music, visual art, sports, martial arts, nutrition, scouting, and Texas Success Intuitive (TSI) preparation.

ACE Austin partners with a wide variety of community organizations and district programs that include but are not limited to 4-H CAPITAL, Creative Action, It’s Time Texas, Phoenix House, and Victory Tutoring.

What are the goals of ACE Austin?

• To support the campus community's needs through supplemental academic enrichment and meaningful family engagement.
• To help improve student outcomes in academics, attendance, and behavior. 
• To provide a safe and supportive environment for students outside of school hours.

Resources

1. Find more information about Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers on the TEA website.

Campuses currently served by ACE Austin 

• Cycle 11
  • Bedichek Middle School
  • Covington Middle School
  • Dobie Middle School
  • Langford Elementary School
  • Martin Middle School
  • Oak Springs Elementary School
  • Rodriguez Elementary School
  • T.A. Brown Elementary School 
  • Widen Elementary School
  • Wooten Elementary School
• Cycle 12
  • Allison Elementary
  • Eastside Early College High School
  • Govalle Elementary School
  • Houston Elementary School
  • Linder Elementary School
  • Northeast Early College High School
  • Ortega Elementary School 
  • Palm Elementary School
  • Paredes Middle School
  • Perez Elementary School