Arranging for transportation for SES remains a crucial consideration for parents, and districts continue to pursue ways to assist them. Districts might consider whether they have the capacity and resources to provide transportation directly to students receiving SES, and whether other transportation arrangements involving the resources of providers and community organizations are possible.

At a minimum, districts should clearly indicate to parents the locations at which providers are offering services and which providers offer transportation to and from their programs.

While a district may provide transportation directly or through other arrangements, it may not count the costs of such transportation toward satisfying its expenditure requirements under the law.

Allowing providers' access to school facilities. Districts have eased parents' transportation needs by allowing providers to work at school sites, which may make accessing SES easier for parents than if they have to transport their children to other locations in the district. Moreover, transportation could be provided from school sites through various arrangements, given district, school, and provider capacities. In some cases, allowing providers on site may enable students to access a school's late bus to get home. In cases where a school has an out-of-school program that provides transportation, districts and providers might also consider working with the school to include students receiving SES in existing out-of-school transportation arrangements, to the extent practicable. In cases where there are multiple providers serving at a school site, the district, school, and providers might also consider pooling resources to provide transportation home for students receiving SES at the site.

For more information on arranging for provider access to school facilities, see p. 31.

Involving community centers. Districts have further assisted parents by facilitating providers' access to community centers and other neighborhood buildings, including those of faith-based organizations. This can be particularly effective in addressing issues of transportation as these centers are located in neighborhoods where students eligible for SES live. Many students also may already be involved in activities at these local centers during out-of-school time. Moreover, as community and faith-based organizations often offer learning opportunities for adults simultaneously with those for children, providing SES at these local sites may be an added draw for parents.

Involving community organizations that provide transportation. Districts could also facilitate transportation for SES by working with local groups, including faith-based organizations, that provide transportation throughout the community or that have transportation resources. Such organizations could incorporate SES transportation into other transportation schedules and could provide transportation on a voluntary basis or for a nominal fee. Districts should ensure that any organization they partner with carries a sufficient amount of insurance and possesses any clearances needed to provide transportation to students.