Navigating residential placements can be complex, especially when considering factors such as student residency and district financial responsibility for educational services in a residential setting. We often get questions like, “Which district is responsible for providing or paying for educational services for a student who is placed in a residential setting by a state agency or court?” “Does it matter if the student is over 18?” “Which district is responsible for working with DCFS to make a ‘best interest’ determination for students who are a youth in care?” These situations are nuanced, and the answer is determined by the specific facts of each case. With this in mind, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) just released a 39-page updated guidance document that includes frequently asked questions about residential placements. The guidance document addresses considerations such as whether the student is a general education or special education student, if the placement is determined by a parent, state agency or court, as well factors such as the student’s age and whether the student is experiencing homelessness. While this guidance document is a comprehensive resource, we also recognized these situations may not always be straightforward. Please feel free to reach out to a KB attorney if you have any questions regarding residential placements.
