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Meeting Their Needs

Meeting Their Needs. Serving Homeless Students in Rural School Districts ECASD Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. There is no homelessness in our town…. Rural Homelessness. 1/10 th of nation’s homeless are in rural settings Single caucasian mothers Families in poverty

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Meeting Their Needs

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  1. Meeting Their Needs Serving Homeless Students in Rural School Districts ECASD Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program

  2. There is no homelessness in our town…

  3. Rural Homelessness • 1/10th of nation’s homeless are in rural settings • Single caucasian mothers • Families in poverty • Persons with poor credit/job history • Migrant workers • Persons with criminal records • At-risk Teenagers • Undocumented persons

  4. But we don’t have homeless shelters…

  5. Typical Rural Homeless Situations • Living with another family (doubling-up) • Living in their car • Living in a camper/tent • Living in substandard housing • Living where an economy is declining • Living in inexpensive motels • Living in a non-residence shelter (barn, pole shed, etc.)

  6. We have so few homeless, why should we identify?

  7. Benefits of Identification • A typical homeless student can lose half a year’s worth of learning when transferring schools. • Students identified as homeless qualify for the Free Meal Program for entire school year. • Quite easy to fulfill needs and makes a huge impact on students and families • Nurtures and enhances school-community relationships

  8. What is the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act?

  9. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act • Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (1987) • Representative Stewart B. McKinney (R-CT) (1931-1987) • Representative Bruce F. Vento (D-MN) (1940-2000) • January 2002 Reauthorization – The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act)

  10. Homeless Student Rights • Immediate Enrollment without paperwork • School Selection (school of origin or area) • Transportation to school of origin • Comparable educational opportunities and services • Prohibition of segregation • Public posting of rights

  11. Who is considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act? • Anyone who lacks a ‘fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence.’ • Doubled-up with family or friends • Emergency or Transitional Shelters • Motels or hotels • Campgrounds • Cars • Public or Private places not designed for living • Outside (parks), unsheltered, under structures • Substandard housing • Children awaiting permanent foster care

  12. Eau Claire Area School District Homeless Demographics 2008-09

  13. But we have very little time or staff to keep track of these students and their needs.

  14. Typical Needs • Referrals and connections • Transportation assistance • School supplies • Clothing • Food • One advocate solely focused on their needs while they are in this difficult situation.

  15. So How Can We Keep Track of Them Simply?

  16. Simple Identification Process • Inform and Educate staff on what may be a homeless situation and who to call • Disperse referral forms to school secretaries, social workers, nurses, etc. • Make a list of all community resources (both within your community and communities nearby) • Make connections with volunteer citizens • Buy a crate, file folders, and paper • District Liaison may delegate responsibility

  17. But we have no Resources in our Community

  18. Creative Ideas for Rural towns • Connect with churches for volunteers • Run a food drive through your school and stock a small amount for needy families • Collect clothing donations and store • Make connections with volunteer citizens • Find volunteers and donations through PTA • Connect with your closest funded school district

  19. Economic Recovery & Reinvestment Act • $800,000 to Wisconsin DPI in next 2 years • Distributed through competitive grant or formula (WDPI Superintendent to determine which) • Opportunity to fund smaller school districts

  20. National Homeless Organizations National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) Barbara Duffield, Policy Director, bduffield@naehcy.org www.naehcy.org Ph: 202-364-7392 National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) Diana Bowman, Director, dbowman@serve.org www.serve.org/nche Ph: 336-315-7453 National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP) Joy Moses, Education Staff Attorney, jmoses@nlchp.org www.nlchp.org Ph: 202-638-2535 U.S. Department of Education Gary Rutkin, Coordinator, Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program, Gary.Rutkin@ed.gov www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/index.html Ph: 202-260-4412

  21. Local Homeless Organizations Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Mary Maronek, State Education of Homeless Children & Youth Coordinator, mary.maronek@dpi.wi.gov http://dpi.wi.gov/homeless/ Ph: 608-261-6322 Eau Claire Area School District Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program Pete Riley, Homeless Liaison, priley@ecasd.k12.wi.us www.ecasd.k12.wi.us Ph: 715-852-6901

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