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  3. PARENT ASSISTANCE & ENGAGEMENT

PARENT ASSISTANCE & ENGAGEMENT

  • LP Parent Assistance & Engagement Center

Leadership Team

Tremayne Wickliffe
Coordinator, Safety & Student Services
wickliffet@lpisd.org
281-604-7083

Maggie Pacheco
Secretary
pachecoma@lpisd.org
281-604-7913

Parent Assistance & Engagement in La Porte ISD

Creating Partnerships Fostering Student Success!

The La Porte Independent School District Parent Assistance and Engagement Center is here to: 

  • Help families answer questions  
  • Provide support when issues may arise 
  • Encourage student attendance and enrollment 
  • Empower families in the learning of their children at home 

Every student’s success is our number one priority, and the Parent Assistance and Engagement Center was developed to help parents with needs, questions, and/or concerns pertaining to their children who attend La Porte ISD. In addition, we work with families on student attendance and enrollment through the application of home visits throughout the year. We will work closely with parents and school level administrators to ensure decisions are made with the best interest of all students in mind. 

When to contact the Parent Assistance and Engagement Center 

Most issues or concerns occur at the campus level. These issues should first be addressed at the campus level with the teacher, counselor, assistant principal, or principal. Additionally, LPISD School Board Policy requires that each issue be addressed at the level closest to the matter first. Sometimes it takes more than one attempt to resolve an issue or there may be times when the school is unable to honor a request. LPISD appreciates parents who work to maintain a positive relationship with the school despite concerns. The Director of Parent Assistance and Engagement can assist as a neutral party to assure that student and/or parent concerns are fully considered. 

Depending on the issue, other administrative staff may also become involved. As a rule, neither the director of Parent Assistance and Engagement nor the superintendent substitutes their judgment for that of the building principal for campus level decisions within his or her authority. 

How to Reach Us

If you have completed the steps to try and resolve your issue at the school level first, you are welcome to contact the Parent Assistance an Engagement Center personnel below:

  • Alcohol/Substance Abuse Treatment
    Billye Trader, LPISD Exec. Director, Special Programs
    281-604-7034

    Child Welfare
    Department of Family and Protective Services (CPS)
    800-252-5400

    Communities in Schools (CIS)
    Jessica Cotton-Bernard (LXJH) 
    Jonathan Pena  (LPJH) 
    Christina Vasquez (LPHS)

    Community Youth Services (CYS)
    Sherrita Rachal – 281-604-6788

    Counseling Services
    Billye Trader, LPISD Exec. Director, Special Programs
    281-604-7034

    Dropout Prevention
    Todd Schoppe,  LPISD Director, Parent Assistance and Engagement
    281-604-7083
    LaTeresa Wilson, LPISD Attendance Officer
    281-604-7873

    Federal/State Programs
    Jennifer Green, LPISD Director, Fed/State programs
    281-604-7035

    Homebound Services
    Billye Trader, LPISD Exec. Director, Special Programs
    281-604-7034

    Homelessness/Foster
    Todd Schoppe,  LPISD Director, Parent Assistance and Engagement
    281-604-7083

    Juvenile Justice
    LaTeresa Wilson, LPISD Attendance Officer
    281-604-7873

    Mental Health Services
    Billye Trader, LPISD Exec. Director, Special Programs
    281-604-7034

    Pregnant/Parenting Students
    Nancy Ojeda (Parent Education and Parenting Program)
    281-604-6936 (DeWalt office)
    281-604-7700 (LPHS)

    Programs Outside of School
    Elisha Thompson, LPISD Athletic Dir. (UIL Athletics)
    281-604-7672
    Matt Burke, LPISD Fine Arts Dir. (Fine Arts)
    281-604-7040
    Campus Principals  - (ACE – La Porte Elementary, Baker Sixth Grade; UIL Academics; clubs)

    Truancy Prevention/Intervention
    LaTeresa Wilson, LPISD Attendance Officer
    281-604-7873

    Tutoring
    Campus principals/counselors

  • WHAT IS FOSTER CARE?

    When children can't live safely at home and an appropriate non-custodial parent, relative, or close family friend is currently unable or unwilling to care for them, the court can give temporary legal possession to Children Protective Services (CPS) and that agency temporarily places these children in foster care.

    Foster care setting include:

    • Kinship Caregiver homes;
    • Foster family homes;
    • Foster family group homes;
    • Residential group care facilities; and
    • Facilities overseen by another state agency.

    Foster care is meant to be temporary until a permanent living arrangement is found and CPS no longer has legal custody of the child. However, for some children, it can become permanent. CPS strives to ensure quality services for children in foster care. However, children in foster care may have to change placements several times while in foster care due to a variety of factors, such as licensing standards violations, court rulings, or changes in the foster home or facility. CPS consistently works towards increasing placement options to better match the needs of each individual child.

    In Texas, CPS and the Texas Education Code use the term "substitute care" to refer to all children who are in the legal custody of CPS, including children who are placed either with a relative or in a licensed foster care placement.  "Conservatorship" is a term also used in the Texas Education Code and by CPS to describe the status of a youth who is placed in legal custody by court order with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. (DFPS) Although not commonly referenced, "substitute care" is interchangeable with the term "conservatorship."

    Two Types of Conservatorship 

    TEMPORARY MANAGING CONSERVATORSHIP (TMC):
    DFPS may be the TMC while he agency works with the family on a reunification plan (short term); or

    PERMANENT MANAGING CONSERVATORSHIP (PMC):
    DFPS may be named the Permanent Managing Conservator for a child until custody is given to another individual or until the youth turns 18 (long term).

     

    For more information on students in Foster Care, Contact:

    Amanda Smith, Director of Federal and State Programs
    281-604-7033

  • The McKinney-Vento Act (Section 725) specifies and protects the rights of children and youth in homeless situations. The program assists families and unaccompanied youth that are currently living in a temporary situation due to loss of housing. The McKinney-Vento Education Assistance Act is a federal law that helps children immediately enroll in school, provides assistance for school supplies and obtaining bus transportation and referrals to the community to optimize their education opportunities.

    Information for Parents of School-Age Youth

    Información para Padres de Jóvenes en Edad Escolar

    Contact Todd Schoppe, Director of Parent Assistance and Engagement, at 281-604-7083 or your nearest school for assistance.

    Who qualifies?

    Section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence which includes:

    • Children and youth who are currently living in a temporary place or residence and sharing housing with others due to; economic hardships, eviction, natural disaster, loss of housing; or living in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative or adequate accommodations; living in an emergency or transitional shelter; or are awaiting foster care placement;
    • Children and youth who have primary night-time residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
    • Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, public spaces, substandard housing, or similar settings;
    • Migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless due to their circumstances and living in conditions described above; or
    • Unaccompanied youth (not living with your parent or guardian) living in a temporary situation.

    Your Child's Rights

    The McKinney-Vento Act provides your child with basic education rights such as:

    • Immediate enrollment even if academic records, proof of residence or immunization records are unavailable.
    • Immediate eligibility for free child nutrition. Assistance with school supplies if needed.
    • Keeping the child enrolled in "School of Origin" upon request or assisting the child with enrollment in the attendance zone where he/she is currently residing.
    • Transportation assistance if needed.

    Parent Responsibilities

    The McKinney-Vento Act provides your child with basic education rights such as:

    • Immediate enrollment even if academic records, proof of residence or immunization records are unavailable.
    • Immediate eligibility for free child nutrition. Assistance with school supplies if needed.
    • Keeping the child enrolled in "School of Origin" upon request or assisting the child with enrollment in the attendance zone where he/she is currently residing.
    • Transportation assistance if needed.