Whole Child & Family Engagement

The purpose of the Whole Child and Family Engagement Department is to:

• Eliminate barriers to student success by addressing attendance, mobility, housing insecurity, and family transitions.
   
• Support families through responsive communication, transfer processes, and needs in a timely, respectful, and equitable manner.
   
• Champion the needs of vulnerable populations, including foster youth, students experiencing homelessness (McKinney-Vento), and students with Section 504 Plan.
   
• Promote authentic engagement between schools and families by valuing parent voice, building trust, and creating inclusive spaces for collaboration.
   
• Strengthen community partnerships that enhance access to resources and ensure all students have the conditions to thrive.

We are not just a support team — we are advocates, connectors, and collaborators. Our department is dedicated to creating a district culture where every child is supported, and every family is engaged.

We provide support to students and families experiencing housing instability.

• Immediate school enrollment and transportation
• Access to free school meals, supplies, and other resources
• Connection to community resources and family services

If you have questions about the McKinney-Vento program, please contact Maritza Palacios. Office hours and contact information are available on our district website. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational stability and support for students experiencing housing insecurity. As the District McKinney-Vento Liaison, we support schools to connect families with resources such as transportation, enrollment assistance, and school supplies. In addition, Maritza Palacios oversees our district’s pantry and boutique, which provide essential items, clothing, and toiletries to students and families in need.

We look forward to assisting you!

Westminster School District is committed to:

• Using screen time wisely and sparingly

• Choosing high-quality, research-based digital tools

• Keeping students safe online

• Helping every child reach grade-level proficiency and beyond

• Working together with families to close learning gaps

We view technology as a support, not a replacement for teachers.
When used intentionally, it becomes a powerful tool for helping every student thrive.

The Whole Child and Family Engagement Department is dedicated to supporting all aspects of a student's educational journey, beyond the classroom to ensure students have every opportunity to be successful and thrive academically, socially and emotionally.. Our services are designed to remove barriers, connect families with resources, and ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.

At the heart of student success is a strong partnership between families and schools. Our department is proud to serve as a bridge that connects, empowers, and uplifts families across our district. We understand that parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers, and your voice matters. Our team is here to actively listen, respond with compassion, and support families as they navigate the educational system. Whether you're seeking guidance, have a concern, or simply want to better understand how to support your child’s learning, we are here for you, every step of the way.

• Responsive Communication: We offer culturally affirming, multilingual support to ensure every family feels seen, heard, and understood.
• Advocacy and Guidance: We help families and collaborate with schools to identify the best solutions for student success.
• Welcoming Environments: We promote inclusive and respectful interactions, where all families feel a true sense of belonging and partnership.

Consistent attendance is critical to student success. Our team helps identify and remove attendance barriers.

• Early intervention and outreach
• Individualized Attendance Goals
• Coordination with school sites and counselors

We ensure educational rights and access for students in foster care, in partnership with caregivers and agencies.

• School stability and placement support
• Records transfer and enrollment
• Case coordination and advocacy

For students with disabilities who do not qualify for special education but need accommodations, we provide guidance and oversight for Section 504 implementation.

• Evaluation and eligibility guidance
• Accommodation plans and compliance monitoring
• Parent support and communication

Our district supports both intra-district/Open Enrollment (within the district) and inter-district (between districts) transfer requests in alignment with state and local policies. Families seeking a transfer for their student are encouraged to review the guidelines carefully. If you have questions about the transfer process, timelines, or appeals, please contact Brittany Patterson.

This means your student has been approved to attend the specified elementary school for the elementary grade levels only. The approval does not extend to middle school or future grade spans.

The spot is reserved only after you accept the offer within the required time frame (usually three days). If acceptance is not received by the deadline, the enrollment may be withdrawn and offered to another student.

If the District does not receive your acceptance within the stated deadline, the offer will expire, and your student will remain enrolled at their school of residence.

Being on the waitlist means the school is currently full or the program is impacted. If space becomes available, families are contacted in the order determined by district procedures.

In some cases, the District may also consider overflow options at nearby schools. If you would like to learn more about possible overflow opportunities, please contact the District Enrollment Office.

Yes, you may submit another Open Enrollment / Intra-District application for a different elementary school site while your student remains on the waitlist. Each application is reviewed separately based on availability.

Your student will remain enrolled at their school of residence unless and until a new placement is offered and accepted.

No, approval through Open Enrollment applies only to the elementary grade span that was approved. Students must submit a separate application for middle school placement, and middle school assignments are based on space availability at the time of application. Approval for elementary does not automatically guarantee placement at any middle school, including a school’s usual feeder middle school.

Please contact the Whole Child and Family Engagement Department for assistance, including questions about wait lists, overflow options, and application timelines.

If you have questions about 504 Plans, please don’t hesitate to contact our district office at (714)894-7311 Ext. 1075. Office hours and contact information can be found on our district website. As the District 504 Coordinator, we ensure that students receive the support and accommodations they need to access their education in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which includes overseeing the evaluation process, coordinating with schools on 504 Plan development as appropriate, and supporting schools and families throughout the process.

If you have questions about services for foster youth, please contact Maritza Palacios. The District Foster Youth Liaison plays a vital role in helping ensure that students in foster care have equal access to education, stability, and the support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.