District 209 multilingual presenter urges families to prepare emergency plans and complete temporary guardianship forms

Nora Delgado Bergen, a member of District 209’s multilingual department, urged parents and caregivers at a BKAC meeting to prepare family emergency plans that identify who will care for children if a parent is detained or otherwise unavailable. Delgado Bergen demonstrated a temporary guardianship form and emphasized families should complete and keep a copy on file with their child’s school.

Delgado Bergen explained that while she provided both English and Spanish versions of the temporary guardianship form, the English version is the one that must be completed for school or court use. She said the completed form can help a designated adult pick up a child from school and notify school administrators that a guardian is authorized to act for the child.

She recommended practical steps families should take: memorize at least one phone number in case a parent’s phone is taken, keep copies of identification and medical information in a secure place, list medical conditions and medications for each child, and ensure emergency contact information on file with the school is up to date. Delgado Bergen also suggested that passports and legal identification be kept where family members can access them and warned against relying on paid notary or immigration consultants for legal advice.

Delgado Bergen described the temporary guardianship form discussed as valid for a period (as stated in the presentation) but did not provide a verifiable legal duration during the meeting. She offered to share the forms and slide materials after the meeting and encouraged families to speak with school administrators or volunteer legal providers for additional help. The session was informational; there was no formal district action recorded.