Students in State-Supervised Care

State law requires Maryland public schools to promptly enroll children in state-supervised care (out-of-home care, also known as foster care). The school must enroll them immediately, if possible, and no later than five school days from the date the school is provided with basic enrollment documents.

What Documents Does the School Need to Enroll the Child?

• Photo identification of person authorized to enroll the child
• Current proof the child is in state-supervised care:
  • a signed agency placement letter on agency letterhead, and
  • the most recent court order establishing legal custody stating the child is in state-supervised care.
• Current proof of residency of the caretaker at the time of enrollment.
  HOWEVER, LACK OF PROOF IS NOT A REASON TO DENY OR DELAY ENROLLMENT FOR A CHILD AWAITING OUT-OF-HOME CARE OR A CHILD TRANSFERRING FROM THE SCHOOL OR ORIGIN.
• Current Tuition Contract PA26/27 (if applicable), for students placed in state-supervised care from outside of the State of Maryland by a Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Department of Juvenile Services, or private placement agency licensed by the Social Services Administration.
• Current Request to Enroll a Non-Resident Student, for students placed in Prince George's County from other Maryland Counties (ONLY).

Maryland State Department of Education requires all students enrolled to have evidence of a student's date of birth, and immunization records. A student who is in state-supervised care may not be excluded from school for non-compliance with any of these requirements.

For additional information on the enrollment of students in state-supervised care, please contact the Department of Pupil Accounting and School Boundaries at 301-952-6302.