Kids Without Homes: A School District Responds

1. Kids Without Homes:A School DistrictResponds A Presentation for Parents

2. Contact Information • Name: • Office Phone: • Other Phone: • Email: Homeless Education Liaison

3. Increasing Awareness Could you -- or someone you know -- experience … • a natural disaster • a job cut-back or layoff • loss of sole wage-earner’s • income • a negative change to current • lifestyle

4. Increasing Awareness Could you -- or someone you know -- experience … • loss of health coverage and • other benefits • being routinely behind on • paying bills • high balances on credit cards

5. Increasing Awareness Could you -- or someone you know -- experience … • inadequate health-care benefits • for a family member needing • long term care • a family member’s addiction • wages that don’t keep up with • rising housing costs and taxes

6. Stereotypes of Homelessness

7. Homelessness in Texas 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 CA NY TX FL PA U.S. Poverty is most common in families that rely on a single mother’s income

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10. Overview Major Topics • Effects of poverty and homelessness on children in our state and our community • The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act • Ways to ease life for our homeless students

11. Homeless Children in Texas Current Estimate 140,000+

12. Federal Law The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our public schools

13. The McKinney-Vento Act The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act says that children and youth wholack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residenceare homeless

14. Increasing Awareness • Common problems Life is difficult for our homeless students • Effects of poverty and homelessness • Emotional and social difficulties

15. The McKinney-Vento Act • Immediate Enrollment Key Provisions of the Law • Choice of Schools • Transportation • Services • Dispute Resolution

16. Texas Education Code Chapter 25 of the Texas Education Code specifies that a student who is homeless is entitled to admission in any Texas school district The entire Code is available online at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm

17. The McKinney-Vento Act • Attend their school of choice For homeless parents, the law means their children have the right to: • Enroll immediately without • documentation • Receive Title I assistance • Receive free school meals

18. The McKinney-Vento Act School districts must set aside a portion of Title I funds to assist students in homeless situations Title I Funds

19. The Homeless Education Liaison • every school district is required to have a homeless education liaison The McKinney-Vento Act mandates that . . . • the liaison is required to • perform specific tasks

20. Resources for Parents • General Provisions • Classes / Activities / Programs Parent Rights Guide published by The Texas Education Agency

21. Resources for Parents Quick Tips • Educational rights • School and health records • High expectations for your child • Question school staff

22. Assisting Our Homeless Students • Contribute • Volunteer • Advocate • Educate You can make a difference!

23. Additional Handouts • Application for BVS Certificate for School Admission (English) • Application for BVS Certificate School Admission (Spanish) • Off to School in Texas • Free School Meals

26. Contact Information • Name: • Office Phone: • Other Phone: • Email: Homeless Education Liaison