Alaska districts must upload signed OCS foster care transportation agreement for federal funds

Alaska school districts cannot finish their federal education funding application without a signed transportation agreement with the Office of Children's Services for students in foster care, the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development said Wednesday.

The memorandum of understanding needs current points of contact and both agencies' signatures to complete the Consolidated Application for Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds.

Federal school-stability rules let foster students stay in their school of origin when that serves their best interest. Districts and OCS jointly fund the required transportation under guidance issued in March. Small and rural districts use a shared template and email their regional OCS protective services manager. Large urban districts negotiate their own agreements.

Courtney Preziosi said: "For many districts, the MOU from last year has not expired, so if there is no need to change the agreement, last year's documents can be uploaded to satisfy this requirement." A change in contact requires a new one.