Policies

During the 89th Texas Legislative Session, Senate Bill 12 was passed, requiring all public school districts in Texas to obtain yearly parental consent before providing routine school-based health and counseling services.

HPISD continues to offer the same services as in previous years. The only change is that parents must now give annual consent for these services through Skyward Family Access.

Physical Health Services (provided by school nurses and athletic trainers) include:

• Injury evaluation and first-aid treatment
• Assessment of illness or physical symptoms at school, including nursing assessment
• Use of non-pharmacological interventions such as ice packs, heating pads, peppermint
• Communicable disease or symptom evaluation, exclusion, and readmission
• Hygiene and health education (handwashing, illness prevention, general wellness, providing clean clothing or menstrual supplies)
   

Routine Counseling Services (provided by school counselors or mental health staff) include:

• Short-term individual counseling or check-ins
• Social-emotional learning activities and group support
• Support during emotional distress or crisis
• Behavioral observations and problem-solving strategies
• Referral to community providers, if needed (with additional consent)

A child can receive:

• Emergency health responses

Legally mandated activities that do not require consent, including:

• Behavioral Threat Assessments
• Activities involving Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) 
• Urgent matters required by state or federal law

Parents/guardians must log in to Skyward Family Access and complete a consent form for each child until September 19, 2025.

Once provided, consent applies for the entire school year.

You may rescind your initial decision anytime during the year by reaching out to the Director of Student Services.

 HPISD staff will contact you and ensure the safety of your child by providing immediate care. 

A student experiencing homelessness lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence and may live in one of the following places:

• Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing or economic hardship
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, campgrounds, or similar settings
• Living in emergency or transitional housing
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or substandard housing

Please click to view and complete the Student Residency Questionnaire for submission to enrollment staff at the school to which the student is enrolling.

To help assess eligibility, reference the McKinney-Vento Eligibility Flowchart. 

Students in homeless situations and unaccompanied youth may receive assistance with the following:

• School enrollment immediately. Records normally required of all students in order to enroll are NOT required of students who are in homeless situations in order to enroll. This includes proof of residency, proof of guardianship, school or immunization records, birth certificates and social security cards.
• School breakfast/lunch (may request assistance by a separate application)
• Transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested and eligible
• Transition planning
• Tutoring in after-school programs
• Referrals for family counseling and parenting instruction
• Referrals to community agencies

Students who qualify are eligible to receive services through the remainder of the school year. Eligibility is reassessed every year.

For community resources, please reference the following:

Homeless Education Resource List

www.findhelp.org

• Texas Education Code (TEC) §§ 25.001, 25.002, and 29.153
• National Center for Homeless Education
• TEA -Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth
• Education Service Center-Region 10
• HPISD Board policies FDC