Overflow shelter change could affect families registering for school [Video]

Changes being made to the overflow shelters operated by Massachusetts for homeless and migrant families could have an impact on how many of those families can enroll their children in school districts where those shelters are located. Stays at the overflow shelters, sometimes called safety-net sites, will be restricted to five days starting on Aug. 1, according to an overhaul announced by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration on Tuesday. They will become known as temporary respite centers. Additionally, families who choose to use one of those locations after Aug. 1 would be required to wait at least six months to qualify for placement into an emergency assistance shelter.Several communities had previously expressed concern that overflow sites could bring an influx of new students to local schools. The transition from overflow shelters to time-limited respite centers may change how families access education. Federal law requires that children, including children of homeless families, …