OSEP Policy Support (2022). Letter to State Directors of Special Education ensuring a high-quality education for children and youth experiencing frequent moves into new school districts, such as military-connected children, migratory children, children who are homeless, and children in the foster care system.
Private School Placements
IDEA §300.130 definition of parentally-placed private school children (PPPSC) with disabilities means children with disabilities enrolled by their parents in private, including religious, schools or facilities that meet the definition of elementary school in §300.13 or secondary school in §300.36, other than children with disabilities covered under §§300.145 through 300.147.
Homeschooled children are PPPSC in South Carolina.
South Carolina Code of Laws § 59-1-150 defines an elementary school as any public school which contains grades no lower than kindergarten and no higher than eighth grade. Secondary schools can have different grade configurations, but no higher than grade 12.
SCDE coordinators’ contact information. School district Foster Care liaison list along with Department of Social Services (DSS) state and regional education contacts. Links to Immediate Enrollment form; Best Interest Determination Placement form; SC Foster Care Joint Guidance; and other resource links.
It’s important to include professionals familiar with the student’s special education services and needs on the Best Interest Determination (BID) team when considering change in school location.
Chafee Funded Services can provide youth with academic (secondary) support services; post-secondary education support services; employment support services; transportation support services; and housing and transition support services. Youth currently or formerly in foster care (or aged out) are eligible for the Chafee Funded Services. Click on DSS-SC link for eligibility criteria and download forms to apply.
Grant recipients serving youth runaway and homeless children located throughout SC including Street Outreach Program, Transitional Living Program, Maternity Group Home, Prevention Demonstration Program, and Basic Center Program. Grant periods differ.
Search by need and zip code or county in SC. Resource list includes shelters; rent; electric; food; special education; child care; transportation; mental health and substance abuse treatment; clothing and household items; legal aid and more.