Guidance and Resources Regarding New Presidential Administration

Home Parents Guidance and Resources Regarding New Presidential Administration

Services: Guidance and Resources Regarding New Presidential Administration

This page contains important information regarding the potential impact of the incoming presidential administration on CANOPS school communities. The content on this page will continue to evolve based on our response to policy changes at the federal level.

CANOPS is committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe, inclusive, and welcoming educational environments that embrace and celebrate everyone in our diverse school communities. The District is part of a major, city-wide, all-hands-on-deck effort led by the state to support our students and families.

Thankfully, the District has strong protections already in place for our students and staff; you can read about them in more detail here: Indiana Department of Education: Laws and Resources. These protections were reaffirmed by the Board of Education in a resolution last year. CANOPS will continue to rely on these policies and protections to guide our District in the months ahead.

View the sections below for more information on each topic.

The information on this page may not always be current due to the rapidly changing policies of the presidential administration. CANOPS strives to update this page with the latest information and resources as soon as possible.

Immigration Resources For Families

Know Your Rights: Resources for Immigrants, Migrants, and Refugees in Indiana

CANOPS is committed to ensuring that all students and families have access to critical legal, healthcare, and safety resources. The State of Indiana provides guidance and support to help immigrants, migrants, and refugees understand their rights and available services.

Key Resources Available

🔹 Legal Services and Hotlines:

The Indiana Legal Services’ Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center (ILRC) offers free or low-cost legal representation for qualifying immigration cases and language access issues for Indiana residents.
Visit: www.indianalegalservices.org/immigrants

🔹 Healthcare Options for All, Including Undocumented Individuals:

The Center for Healing & Hope provides a Community Resource Guide for immigrants seeking healthcare, legal aid, and social services in Elkhart County, Indiana.
Learn more: https://chhclinics.org/

🔹 Recognizing and Reporting Hate Crimes and Hate Incidents:

The Indiana Attorney General’s Office offers guidance on recognizing and reporting hate crimes to help protect families and communities.
Report an incident: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/

📄 Guides Available in Multiple Languages:
These resources are available in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Serbian, and Urdu.

Know Your Rights Trainings & Workshops

CANOPS is actively working with community-based organizations to provide Know Your Rights workshops for students, families, and staff. These workshops cover:
✔️ Legal rights and protections for immigrants
✔️ Family safety planning and legal resources
✔️ Accessing healthcare and education

📌 Stay Updated:

Upcoming training sessions will be announced on our website.
Schools may also directly inform families about upcoming opportunities.

🔹 Please note: There is high demand for these sessions, and we are working to expand capacity to meet the needs of our community.

Legal Resources for Immigrants & Refugees

Indiana Legal Services – Immigrants’ and Language Rights Center (ILRC)
Provides free or low-cost legal assistance on immigration matters.
➝ Visit: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/immigrants
Immigrant Welcome Center – Indiana
Connects immigrants with educational, employment, and social services to help them thrive in Indiana.
➝ Learn more: https://www.immigrantwelcomecenter.org/

For additional legal assistance and immigrant rights resources, visit the Indiana Attorney General’s Office:
https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/

📌 CANOPS is committed to supporting all students and families. If you need assistance or have questions, please reach out to us.

Immigration Rights and Protections

Educational Rights for All Students Regardless of Immigration Status

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1982 ruling in Plyler v. Doe established that all children, regardless of their immigration status or their family’s immigration status, have the right to a free public education. This ruling ensures that every student has access to learning opportunities without fear of discrimination.

Recent Policy Changes Regarding Immigration Enforcement and Schools

On January 21, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of a longstanding federal policy that had previously placed restrictions on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions in schools. Under this former policy, schools were classified as “sensitive locations,” limiting ICE’s ability to conduct enforcement actions within them. While DHS has not yet released the full text of the new policy, it has stated that ICE agents should apply “common sense” when carrying out enforcement actions.

CANOPS’ Commitment to Protecting Students and Families

Regardless of federal policy changes, CANOPS remains committed to protecting students, staff, and their families in accordance with the Indiana Trust Act. CANOPS:

DOES NOT inquire about the immigration status of students or their families.
WILL NOT coordinate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
DOES NOT share student records with ICE, except in rare cases where there is a court order or explicit parental/guardian consent.
WILL NOT allow ICE agents access to CANOPS facilities unless they produce a criminal judicial warrant signed by a federal judge.

Training and Support for Schools

CANOPS has provided detailed guidance and training to school leaders and staff regarding interactions with ICE and other law enforcement agencies. School personnel are being trained on how to handle such situations while ensuring the safety and privacy of all students.

For additional legal and immigration-related resources, families can refer to:

Indiana Legal Services – Immigration Law Unit (www.indianalegalservices.org)
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Indiana (www.aclu-in.org)
South Bend City’s Ordinance & Immigrant Resources (www.southbendin.gov)

CANOPS will continue to advocate for safe and supportive educational environments for all students, regardless of their immigration status. If you have any concerns or need assistance, please reach out to your school administration or the CANOPS district office.

LGBTQ+

CANOPS remains committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students and staff, including our LGBTQ+ community.

For comprehensive information and resources to ensure LGBTQ+ supportive environments, please visit Indiana Youth Group (IYG) and the Indiana Department of Education’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for guidance and support.

Non-Discrimination Policy

CANOPS adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy aligned with the Indiana Civil Rights Act, which protects students and employees from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and other protected categories.

Support for LGBTQ+ Students

The CANOPS Board of Education has established guidelines to ensure that schools provide a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ students. These guidelines include:

Anti-Bullying and Bias Prevention: Schools actively implement anti-bullying policies to prevent bias-based harm and ensure that LGBTQ+ students feel safe and respected.
Access to Healthcare Services: CANOPS partners with local organizations to connect students with healthcare providers who offer LGBTQ+ affirming medical and mental health care.
Mental Health and Counseling Support: Schools provide access to counselors trained in LGBTQ+ student support to address mental health needs.
Privacy and Bathroom Access Protections: Schools uphold policies ensuring that students have access to facilities that align with their gender identity in a safe and respectful manner.
Staff Training and Development: CANOPS is dedicated to ongoing professional development for staff to ensure they are equipped to support LGBTQ+ students effectively.

For additional resources and statewide initiatives supporting LGBTQ+ youth, visit the Indiana Youth Group (IYG) at www.indianayouthgroup.org and the Indiana Department of Education LGBTQ+ Student Support Page at www.in.gov/doe.

Health

CANOPS’ Commitment to Student Health and Wellness

CANOPS is dedicated to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all students and staff. Our district upholds strong health requirements for school attendance and provides access to essential health services, including:

Nutritious school meals to support student well-being
Vaccination programs to prevent illness and maintain public health
Vision, hearing, and dental screenings for early detection of health issues
Comprehensive health education, including age-appropriate sex education
Support for families in accessing vital healthcare resources

Health and Wellness Resources for Families

For complete information on student health services, please reach out to us.

If your family needs assistance enrolling in essential health programs, you can visit the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) website (www.in.gov/fssa) or contact the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) hotline at 1-877-438-4479.

Available Health Programs for Families

CANOPS supports families by connecting them to vital health and financial assistance programs, including:

Medicaid – Provides free or low-cost healthcare coverage for eligible children and families (Indiana Medicaid Enrollment)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – Offers financial assistance for purchasing healthy food (Indiana SNAP Benefits)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – Provides financial aid, employment training, and childcare support (Indiana TANF Program)
Family Planning Program (FPP) – Provides reproductive health services, including counseling, birth control, and screenings for eligible residents (Indiana FPP Services)

Ensuring Student Health and Safety

CANOPS remains committed to upholding strong health policies that prioritize the well-being of students and staff. We will continue to provide critical health services, maintain minimum attendance health requirements, and ensure that all students have access to the care and resources they need to thrive.

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