How Many Children and Youth Experience Homelessness in TX?

1. McKinney-Vento & TEC Provisions for Educational Support of Children in Homeless SituationsACETOctober 30, 2013Dallas, TX

2. How Many Children and Youth Experience Homelessness in TX? • 99,987homeless students identified by schools reported to TEA in 2012-13 • The Urban Institute estimates that approximately 10% of all children experiencing poverty will experience homelessness in a year • According to the 2010 TEXAS census data –1,768,000 children lived below poverty level in TX – 10% would be 176,800

3. Issues with under identification • Identification triggers services • Identification =$ • Identification – numbers reported to USDE • Under identification: Families and unaccompanied youth: • don’t know/think they are homeless • want to hide the fact they are homeless due to embarrassment, fear of authority • cannot refuse to be identified – can refuse services

4. McKinney-Vento Education Definition of Homelessness • Lack a fixed, regular, adequate night-time residence • Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason-doubled-up • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations • Living in emergency or transitional shelters • Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live • Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus/train stations • Migratory children living in above circumstances • Children/youth awaiting foster care placement

5. Definition of Homelessness and Definition of Unaccompanied • Homeless and Unaccompanied youth are two separate conditions • Unaccompanied youth = any child who is not yet 21 on September 1 of the school year is considered unaccompanied if they are not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian • Homeless is the living situation as defined by MV • A child may be both homeless and unaccompanied, unaccompanied only, homeless only • Includes pushed out or runaway youth

6. McKinney-Vento requires... • That all homeless children and youth have access to a free and appropriate public education: • That every state review and revise all laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children; and • That homeless children and youth have access to the education and services they need to ensure them an opportunity to meet the same challenging state standards to which all students are held

7. McKinney-Vento requires... Every school district have a Homeless Liaison that: • Assists with identification and enrollment • Assists in settling enrollment disputes • Assists with attendance issues • Connects students to district and community services • Assists with school choice • Assists with transportation • Assists with educational supports • Has autonomy to make decisions for qualification of services • Makes a difference in the lives of kids

8. The Homeless Liaison Assists With: • Identification – includes community outreach • Enrollment • School Selection • Attendance • Services: nutrition, Title I, transportation, • Academic success and supports: tutoring, preparation for state testing, enrichment activities, field trips, summer school

9. Identification: Student Rights The McKinney-Vento Act requires public notice of educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness be disseminated in every school district at every campus and wherever services are accessed. Posters can be downloaded or ordered from the THEO website – www.utdanacenter.org/theo

10. Immediate Enrollment • Enrollment immediately even if no records are currently available • Enrollment without withdrawal from previous school • LEA contacts previous school last attended for records • Enrollment without parent or legal guardian • Enrollment without proof of a permanent residence • Cannot require dual residency affidavits • Homeless students are not transfer students

11. School Selection: “Best Interests” M-V requires that districts serve the ‘best interests’ of the student by: • Continuing child or youth in school of origin to the extent feasible; or • Enrolling the child or youth in a public school in the attendance area where the child or youth temporarily resides • Parents are the first decision-maker of what is in their child’s best interest • Use THEO School Selection check-list

12. Enrollment Disputes • Admit child or youth immediately to school of choice pending resolution of dispute • School must provide parent/guardian or youth with written explanation of decision including statement of rights and appeal process • Referral to liaison for dispute resolution and assistance with appeal process • Liaison ensures unaccompanied youth is immediately enrolled and assists with appeals process

13. PEIMS Indicators Began in 2012-13 School Year Districts must identify in PEIMS: Homeless students Homeless Unaccompanied students Homeless students that receive MV services Homeless students that do not receive MV services p. 180

14. Have questions????It’s time to… CALL THE LAW!!!