Natural Disasters and Relocated Students With Special Needs: Recommendations for
Receiving Schools

Widespread destruction from a natural disaster can significantly impact children and families forced to relocate to other communities. For children with disabilities, the challenges of relocation are compounded by the loss (temporary or permanent) of records documenting their history and current needs and the disruption in the delivery of appropriate services.
For schools receiving these students, the lack of access to due process documents, difficulties communicating with previous service providers, and unfamiliarity with students and families are further barriers to providing prompt and appropriate services. While guidance from state and federal agencies must address compliance and other legal issues, there are a number of steps that receiving schools can take to help relocated students with disabilities receive appropriate instruction and find success in their new schools.

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