Welcome

1. Welcome • Do Now (please!) • Jot down 3 characteristics of a homeless person. • How many homeless youth have you served or are serving in your program? • How many youth without stable housing have you served or are serving in your program?

2. Dropout Recovery and Youth Without Stable Housing:To High School Graduation and Beyond For almost all of my life, I have never had a place to call home. I have questioned why I have to struggle so hard to succeed while others do not have to question whether they will go to college. However, there is one thing I have never questioned: My education. Khadijah Williams, Harvard University Class of 2014

3. Welcome & Overview • Brief overview of the McKinney-Vento Act • Definition of “homeless” • Unaccompanied homeless youth and the FAFSA • How dropout recovery programs can support youth without stable housing, in high school and beyond

4. The McKinney-Vento Act The McKinney-Vento Act Federal education law (NCLB Title X, Part C) Designed to ensure school access and promote school success for children and youth who are considered “homeless” All states receive formula grants; 64 LEAs in TX get subgrants http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo/texshep/fundedprojects.php

5. Who is Considered “Homeless”by the McKinney-Vento Act? • Youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including: • Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason • 66% of identified homeless students • Where would you go if you couldn’t stay here? • What led you to move in to this situation?

6. Who is Considered “Homeless”? (cont.) • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations [Motels: 6% of identified homeless students] • Living in emergency or transitional shelters [23% of identified homeless students] • Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live • Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

7. Migratory children living in above circumstances Awaiting foster care placement Relatively restrictive definition in Texas www.utdanacenter.org/theo/downloads/factsheets/RP44_Substitue_and_FosterCare.pdf Who is Considered “Homeless”? (cont.)

8. How many homeless youth have you served in your program? How many homeless youth do you think live in your community and could benefit from by your program? Do Now, Again

9. How many children and youth experience homelessness in TX? 10% of all children living in poverty over the course of a year. 80,940 identified by TX schools in 2008-09. 139% increase over the prior 2 years. Another increase expected in 2009-2010. But: 1. Roughly 1.5 million children live below poverty level in TX. 10% would be over 150,000.

10. What aboutunaccompanied youth? Youth who are experiencing homelessness and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. No upper or lower age limit– must be eligible for public education in the state (through age 24 in TX). Eligibility is based on living situation– not the “choice” to leave.

11. Eligibility ✓ Liaisons School stability School enrollment Financial aid for college McKinney-Vento Act overview

12. McKinney-Vento Liaisons Every local educational agency (ISDs and charter schools) must designate a McKinney-Vento Liaison. The key to McKinney-Vento Act implementation. Ensures identification, enrollment, transportation, services, dispute resolution, and awareness. http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo/directory/index.php

13. Students can remain in their school of origin while homeless, despite moves. After they find permanent housing, students can complete the school year in their school of origin. Remaining in the school of origin is based on the student’s best interest. An individualized assessment, with the parents and/or youth, considering academic needs, mobility, time of year, safety, age, placement of siblings, impact of commute on education. School district must provide transportation. School Stability

14. Youth who are homeless must be enrolled immediately in any school open to other youth living in the same neighborhood. Immediate enrollment includes attending classes and participating fully in all school activities. Accruing credits Extra-curricular activities School Enrollment

15. Immediate enrollment in school applies even if the student is lacking school records, immunizations, or other documents. Immediate enrollment in school applies even if no parent or guardian is present. TX law allows youth to enroll in school on their own, as long as they are not in the district primarily to participate in extracurricular activities and not expelled/no current delinquent/criminal conduct. TX Ed. Code 25.001(b)(4), (d) School Enrollment (cont.)

16. Financial Aid for College Youth who meet the definition of “independent student” can complete the FAFSA without parental income information or signature. Unaccompanied homeless youth are automatically considered independent students. Must be verified as unaccompanied and homeless during the school year in which the application is submitted. Youth who are unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting are also automatically considered independent students. Must be verified as such during the school year in which the application is submitted.

17. The FAFSA (cont.) Verification must be made by: a McKinney-Vento Act liaison, a HUD homeless assistance program director or their designee, a Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program director or their designee, or a financial aid administrator. www.naehcy.org/higher_ed.html Youth who have been in foster care at any time after age 13 are also automatically independent. 17

18. How can we support youth without stable housing in high school and beyond? Identification Enrollment Engagement Basic needs Higher education Let’s Get Practical.

19. Contact local school district McKinney-Vento Liaison(s). What efforts are already underway to support homeless students in your area? How can you participate? Let’s get practical

20. Work to identify “homeless” students in your community and program. Avoid using the word "homeless" in initial contacts with school personnel and youth. Share information about the McKinney-Vento Act and homelessness with colleagues. Put up a poster in your office. Let’s Get Practical (cont.)

21. Work to identify “homeless” students(cont.). Make it part of your routine to talk to youth about the McKinney-Vento Act and services for youth who have left home. You may be surprised by the students who meet the Act’s definition. Keep hygiene supplies, bus passes, or other important supplies on hand for students who need them. This can spark dialogue and trust. Let’s Get Practical (cont.)

22. Work to identify “homeless” students(cont.). Enlist youth to help spread the word. Ensure discretion and confidentiality when working with youth. Build trust! If you build it, they will come… Let’s Get Practical (cont.)

23. Get in touch with local agencies that may serve homeless youth. Shelters, drop-in centers, street outreach teams Soup kitchens, food banks Boys & Girls clubs Child welfare, law enforcement Teen parent programs Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender youth organizations Let’s Get Practical (cont.)

24. Help youth make the most of high school. Position higher education as a realistic goal and start planning early. Advocate for participation in college access programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search, Gear-Up, Early/Middle College High School, etc.) Advocate for participation in extra-curricular activities Advocate for credit accrual and recovery Let’s Get Practical (cont.)

25. Help youth prepare for college admissions. Help youth search for scholarships. http://www.naehcy.org/letendre_ab.html Help youth with the FAFSA and financial planning for college. SAT/ACT fee waivers Consider community college as a cost-effective step toward a 4-year degree Help youth advocate with FAAs, if necessary. Let’s Get Practical (cont.)

26. What will be your first steps to support youth without stable housing over the rest of this school year? How Will You Get Started? Poll

27. Patricia Julianelle, Legal Consultant danaidproject@austin.utexas.edu (512) 539-0754 Texas Homeless Education Office www.utdanacenter.org/theo/ http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo/resources/index.php For support and information:

28. National Center for Homeless Education http://center.serve.org/nche/ 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) http://www.naehcy.org http://www.naehcy.org/dl/uwwk_youth.pdf College Goal Sundayhttp://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org/ Office of Postsecondary Educationhttp://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/index.html For support and information