The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth ... - State of Michigan

• If a request for educational records is being made and where records
should be sent
• The caseworker’s name and phone number
Schools also need to share information with caseworkers, so the child welfare
system can implement actions to support students’ academic achievement.
Arizona’s brochure for schools offers educators a clear explanation of the need
and procedure for such information-sharing (see, Legal Center for Foster
Care & Education, www.abanet.org/child/education).
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN THE CASE MANAGER CALLS?
The case manager is legally entitled to all information about the child
allowable under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). If
contacted, you should:
• Confirm that the case manager is who he/she says he/she is. An
official ID should be available.
• Answer any questions that individual may pose about the student.
• Relate positive experiences you have had with the child.
• Tell the case manager about concerns you may have about the child.
• Ask to be notified of court dates and medical appointments that
may take the child out of school or cause emotional upheaval, even
if only temporarily.
• Invite the case manager to attend upcoming school events,
conferences, and multidisciplinary team or IEP meetings.
Of course, both schools and child welfare agencies must respect the privacy
and dignity of youth in care. While certain school staff need to know if
a youth is in out-of-home care, they do not need to know the details of
the student’s home life or personal situation. Educators must have clear
guidelines for what information to share with whom.
Delaware’s Draft Memorandum of Understanding addresses such
confidentiality explicitly:
“ Each Department assures that the confidential character
of exchanged information will be preserved and, under no
48 The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement