September 6, 2005

TEA hotline offers assistance for victims of Hurricane Katrina 

The Texas Education Agency opened a toll-free hotline to aid educators and parents of those seeking help after Hurricane Katrina.  Under the federal McKinney-Vento act, displaced victims of Louisiana and Mississippi are considered “homeless” and qualify for assistance. 

Students are allowed to enroll in the district they are currently living in without having documentation of residency.  Immunization requirements are also being waived by the Texas Department of State Health Services.   

As of Friday, over 6,000 hurricane victims enrolled in Texas public schools.  That number is said to increase in the next week.   

For more information about hurricane assistance by the Texas Education Agency, call 1-800-957-5109.  The hotline will be staffed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday to answer questions by educators or parents.   

Commissioner Neeley will release a toll-free number for Louisiana teachers seeking employment in Texas schools this afternoon.  This number will also be operating 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.   

You may visit the Texas Education Agency website for more information, www.tea.state.tx.us.