McKinney-Vento 101: Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

1. Getting It Right: Educating Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness ** This McKinney-Vento 101 presentation was developed by the Texas Homeless Education Office (THEO) The Texas McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youths (EHCY) Program is sponsored by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Region 10 Education Service Center, and the Texas Homeless Education Office (THEO)at the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin

2. Welcome This presentation provides in-depth information on the McKinney-Vento Act, also known as Title X, Part C, of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It is designed to be self-paced, allowing the learner to spend as much time as necessary to grasp the concepts presented. Should you have questions or need clarification as you review this information, please contact the Texas Homeless Education Office at 1-800-446-3142. Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

3. How many Khadijahs are in your school? “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…. My life and circumstances have given me life skills, that in turn, have helped make me into the driven and passionate student I am today.” Khadijah WilliamsHarvard University Class of 2014 Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

4. Domestic violence • Alcohol dependency • Drug dependency • Family disintegration • Lack of education • Unemployment • Lack of job skills • Underemployment • Serious illness • Natural disaster • Foreclosure/Eviction • Mental illness Contributing Factors to Homelessness Lack of affordable housing • Lack or loss of economic support networks • Lack or loss of social support networks Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

5. How many individuals experience homelessness in TX? Texas estimate . . . 79,000 + Texas Homeless Network, 2012 … on any given night. Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

6. Challenges of living inhomeless situations Loss of control and independence • Lack or loss of parental control/authority • Lack or loss of privacy • Mealtimes/decisions: dictated by others • Child play: lack of time and safe space for play • “Lock out” times in shelters / access to living quarters • Child care: often not available • Transportation: often unreliable or unavailable Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

7. Do young children and olderyouth become homeless? 1.7 million youth run away from home each year. High rates of abuse, neglect, parental substance abuse, family dysfunction 51% of all children in shelters are under the age of 6. Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

8. How many children and youth experience homelessness? • The Urban Institute estimates that approximately 10% of all children experiencing poverty will experience homelessness in a year • Nationwide, 1,065,794 homeless students identified by public schools in SY 2011-2012 Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

9. How many children and youth experience homelessness in TX? 53,200 2007-2008 Texas homeless students served by academic year as reported by the Texas Education Agency. . . . 80,940 2008-2009 76,095 2009-2010 85,155 2010-2011 95,868 2011-2012 2012-2013 Over 101,607 Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

10. How many children and youth experience homelessness in TX? According to the 2010 TEXAS census data –1,584,000 children lived below poverty level in TX – 10% would be 158,400 Actual # likely between 160,000 and 180,000(some estimates as high as 320,000) Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

11. Helpful Demographics for Local Region/ISD to Research and Have on Hand Sources: www.city-data.com/housing/houses.html Out of Reach, National Low Income Housing Coalition @ nlihc.org Rental Rates 1 BR $2 BR $ TX 2 BR =$826 = $14.97/hr. x 42 x 52 = 1.1 wage earners OR 2.2 min wage earners Population: Population Growth: Households: Median Age: Median Income: $ Unemployment Rate: Median Home Value: Poverty Rate Child Poverty Rate Children ISD In Poverty Homeless Identified: Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

12. Children are Homeless home / room / neighborhood / family members / school / community / possessions / security / safety / self esteem / predictable routines Children experiencinghomelessness experiencethe trauma of loss: Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

13. Address Effects of Trauma on Homeless Children and Families • Enable good decision- making by the parent / caregiver / unaccompanied youth • Help students recover from traumatic events • Preserve the best interest of the child or youth Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

14. The Challenge Before Us Children living in homeless situations may perform two to three years below grade level in school. For many children, every move costs them as much as 4-6 months of academic progress. Casey Family Programs Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

15. Start •Modest Resources •Underemployment •Fixed Income •Family Break-up •Job Loss •Health Problem •Earthquake •Domestic Violence •AIDS •Substance Abuse •Fire Outcome •Homelessness Cycle of Homelessness Source: Mary Ann Weinacht, Ed.D., Assoc. Professor & Mary Nan Aldridge, Ph.D., Professor, Sul Ross State University Complications/Personal Crisis Conditions Result •Move Out/Lose Home/ Evicted •Lack of Affordable Housing •Lack of Jobs and Insufficient Incomes •Lack of Support Services Now Endangered •Job •Family Life •Mental/Physical Health •Safety Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

16. When is a person no longer considered “homeless”? When they become “Permanently Housed.” • Develop a working definition for district procedures • Challenges of “doubled-up” families: may remain homeless for months and even years Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

17. Schools were not designed to serve homeless students! We have to adjust our schools to meet the situations in whichthese children and youth are living. Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

18. McKinney-Vento Act Major Requirements: • School access: enrolling students • School stability: attending school; remaining in same school while mobile • Support academic success • Child-centered, best-interest decision-making • Case-by-case determinations of homeless status • Critical role of the homeless liaison: determines homeless status among other duties Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

19. The Key to McKinney-Vento Act implementation: Every school district must designate a liaison who is in charge of implementing the McKinney-Vento Act. The liaison ensures identification, enrollment, transportation, services, dispute resolution, and awareness. The liaison works in coordination with all the schools in the district, as well as the community. McKinney-Vento Liaisons Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

20. McKinney-Vento Liaisons A directory of liaisons is located on the Texas Homeless Education website at www.utdanacenter.org/theo Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

21. Eligibility—Who is Coveredby the McKinney-Vento Act? • Children 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 • 80% of identified homeless children and youth in Texas • Where would you go if you couldn’t stay here? • What led you to move in to this situation? Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

22. Eligibility—Who is Coveredby the McKinney-Vento Act? • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations [Motels: 5.5% of identified homeless children and youth in Texas] • Living in emergency or transitional shelters [11.5% of identified homeless children and youth in Texas] • Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live: sheds, bus stations, etc. Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

23. Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings [3% of identified homeless children and youth in Texas] Migratory/migrant children living in above circumstances Awaiting foster care placement Relatively restrictive definition in Texas Eligibility—Who is Coveredby the McKinney-Vento Act? Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

24. Eligibility—Who is Coveredby the McKinney-Vento Act? • Undocumented children and youth have the same right to attend public school as U.S. citizens (Plyler vs. Doe) and are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act • Challenges of multiple definitions of homelessness that do not pertain to the education arena; i.e., HUD definition differs from education definition Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

25. Eligibility—Who is Coveredby the McKinney-Vento Act? fixed …. • “Securely placed or fastened.” “Not subject to change or fluctuation.” • “A fixed residence is one that is stationary, permanent, and not subject to change.” • “Inhabitant: One who, although he may not be a citizen, dwells or resides in a place permanently or has a fixed residence therein, as distinguished from an occasional lodger or visitor.” • “Domicile: The place where a person has his true fixed permanent home and principal establishment, and to which place he has, whenever he is absent, the intention of returning, and from which he has no present intention of moving.” Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

26. Eligibility—Who is Coveredby the McKinney-Vento Act? regular …. • “Normal, standard.” “Constituted, conducted, or done in conformity with established or prescribed usages, rules, or discipline.” “Recurring, attending, or functioning at fixed or uniform intervals.” • “Consistent.” • “A regular residence is one which is used on a regular (i.e., nightly) basis.” • “Habitual: By habit; constant; customary, accustomed, usual; common; ordinary; regular; familiar.” Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

27. Eligibility—Who is Coveredby the McKinney-Vento Act? adequate …. • “Sufficient for a specific requirement.” “Lawfully and reasonably sufficient.” • “Fully sufficient; equal to what is required; lawfully and reasonably sufficient.” • “An adequate residence is one that is sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments.” Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

28. Determining Eligibility • Some instances are clear; others require judgment call • Use “fixed, regular, and adequate” as your standard • Follow a process • Get the facts • Analyze the facts • Is the living situation listed in the MV definition? • Is the living situation another kind of situation that is not fixed, regular, and adequate? Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

29. Determining Eligibility • Doubled-up situations: “Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason” • Why did the family/friends move in together? • How permanent is the arrangement meant to be? • Is it fixed, regular, and adequate? • “Awaiting foster care placement” • Collaborate with your local child welfare community • Consider whether the placement is temporary / emergency or intended to be permanent Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

30. Determining Eligibility • “Substandard housing” • Communities vary; evaluate housing according to local standards/norms, e.g., building codes, definition of substandard, etc. • Sample considerations: • Health and safety concerns • Number of occupants per square foot • Age of occupants • State and local building codes • Collaborate with local housing agencies to establish guidelines that incorporate state and local legal requirements and community standards. Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

31. Case-by-case, by the liaison “Determining Eligibility” brief: on THEO website Get as much information as possible Sensitivity: Avoid the word “homeless:” alternatives include “temporary living situation” or “in transition” Student Residency Questionnaire www.utdanacenter.org/theo/downloads/factsheets/RP14_SRQ.doc Determining Eligibility Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

32. Identification • All homeless children and youth must be identified • The Urban Institute estimates that approximately 10% of all children experiencing poverty will experience homelessness in a year • Nationwide, school districts are reporting increases in the number of children in homeless situations Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

33. Identifying EligibleChildren and Youth Identification is critical It affects state and local funding It’s the law It affects students’ eligibility for a wide variety of services Refer to the Identification Checklist on the THEO website Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

34. Ideas for Identification • Outreach is key – posters, key contacts (schools, shelters, hotels, motels, campgrounds, law enforcement, food banks, medical clinics, banks) • Make schools welcoming environments • Raise school staff awareness of homelessness • MV information in district handbooks/websites • Database of student addresses Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

35. Identification Strategies • Provide training for a wide variety of ISD and school staff. • Use a Student Residency Questionnaire upon enrollment of all students. • Provide outreach materials and posters in schools and where there is a frequent influx of low-income families and youth in high-risk situations. • http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo/resources/posters.php Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

36. Required Posting and Notification The McKinney-VentoAct requires publicnotice of educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness disseminated inevery school districtat every campus --and wherever servicesare accessed. Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

37. Identification Strategies Coordinate with community service agencies, particularly agencies serving youth Ask early childhood and preschool providers for help Make sure data entry and database managers know how to enter and maintain information in the PEIMS database Understand the PEIMS homeless status and unaccompanied youth status indicators Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

38. The Basics on PEIMS Coding: Homeless Youth Indicator All students in Texas public schools MUST have an indicator selected for their homeless status: • “0” = default PEIMS status = NOT homeless • “1” = living in a shelter = homeless • “2” = living doubled-up = homeless • “3” = unsheltered = homeless • “4” = living in a hotel, motel = homeless Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

39. The Basics on PEIMS Coding: Homeless Youth Indicator Unsheltered is defined as a nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. It includes such places as cars, parks, campgrounds (if they live there because they lack an alternative accommodation), abandoned buildings, and substandard housing. Substandard housing may be determined by local building codes, community norms, and/or a case-by‐case determination as to whether the accommodation is a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

40. The Basics on PEIMS Coding:Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Indicator • MV defines UY as a youth “not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian” • Living arrangements must meet the Act’s definition of homeless to qualify for McKinney-Vento services and be coded in PEIMS • No lower age limit; upper age limit to be considered a “youth” is 21 (students may attend until age 26, the state’s upper age limit for public education) • Can be eligible regardless of whether he/she was asked to leave the home or chose to leave Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

41. The Basics on PEIMS Coding:Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Indicator • 0 = Homeless Student is not unaccompanied at any time during the current school yea.   • 1 = Homeless Student is unaccompanied (i.e., is not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian) and received services under the McKinney-Vento program at any time during the current school year. Only districts that receive a MV subgrant will use a “1” to code students. • 2 = Homeless Student is unaccompanied (i.e., is not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian) and did NOT receive services under the McKinney-Vento program at any time during the current school year Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

42. Who needs to knowa student’s homeless status? Anyone who can aid the student’s enrollment, attendance, or success in school FERPA considerations District policies Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

43. What happens after astudent is identified? Appropriate follow-up to assure enrollment, attendance, and success in school Provide interventions for students with attendance or academic performance issues Provide transportation and other support strategies Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

44. When is a person no longer considered “homeless?” When they become “Permanently Housed” • Develop a working definition for district procedures • Recommend time-frames to consider • “Doubled-up” families may be homeless for extended periods of times Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

45. Length of eligibility for MV • Once identified, students are eligible for services for the duration of the school year, even if they become permanently housed (includes foster care children if identified as homeless prior to the end of the school year) OR • For the duration of homelessness 45 Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

46. Length of eligibility for MV • Currently identified students should not “roll” to next year’s identification list without proper verification • Homeless status is determined on an annual basis or as needed during the school year • Status can change quickly: fire, natural disaster, loss of employment, eviction, etc. 46 Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

47. How McKinney-Vento Comes into Play with Children in Foster Care • When McKinney-Vento applies to children involved with CPS • When a McKinney-Vento-type provision exists for children in foster care – Fostering Connections & some state laws • When McKinney-Vento does not apply and no similar provision exists for children in foster care Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

48. When McKinney-Vento Applies When child is “awaiting foster care placement” –federal MV language Children in CPS custody in certain particularly unstable placements are considered McKinney eligible, i.e., ran away from foster placement, in a shelter or transitional living program Children in care under a “safety plan” will likely qualify Children with a 2085FC will likely NOT qualify Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

49. When McKinney-Vento Applies • “Awaiting” foster care • In a shelter • Ran away from foster care and living in ahomeless situation – NOT in another foster home • Aged out and is living in a homeless situation • Other - living in a homeless situation Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo

50. When McKinney-VentoDoes Not Apply When children are in foster care they are not “awaiting foster care placement” and therefore are not McKinney-Vento eligible Texas discerns between formal and informal out-of-home care Texas Homeless Education Office | http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo