The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act

1. 1 The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act Effective Education for Homeless Children and Youth in Tennessee Tennessee Department of Education March, 2009 Presentation Materials and Equipment: McKinney-Vento Red Packets Act 114 Vermont Law Parent and Youth Posters/Handouts Referral Forms Printed copies of the power point presentation Additional materials�post-it notes, post-it flip chart, markers, pens, easel if needed Computer and digital projector Presentation Materials and Equipment: McKinney-Vento Red Packets Act 114 Vermont Law Parent and Youth Posters/Handouts Referral Forms Printed copies of the power point presentation Additional materials�post-it notes, post-it flip chart, markers, pens, easel if needed Computer and digital projector

2. 2 The McKinney Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act� Maintains educational continuity during a time of transition Requires schools to identify and enroll students who meet the definition of homeless Is authorized under the �No Child Left Behind Act�

3. 3 What is the definition of a Homeless Student? The McKinney-Vento Act defines �homeless children and youth� as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

4. 4 Clarification of a Homeless Student? The term includes � �Children and youth who are: sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred to as doubled-up); living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; living in emergency or transitional shelters; abandoned in hospitals; or awaiting foster care placement;

5. 5 What is the definition of an Unaccompanied Youth? An Unaccompanied Youth who is considered homeless is someone who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian andwho meets the criteria for homelessness in the definition The U.S. Department of Education technical guidance says this about determining the homeless status of a student: I a child or youth�s living situation does not clearly fall into the situations described above, the school should refer to te McKinney-Vento definition of �fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence� and consider the relative permanence of the living arrangements. Determinations of homelessness should be made on a case-by-case basis. Note that incarcerated children and youth and children/youth in foster care are not considered homeless. The U.S. Department of Education technical guidance says this about determining the homeless status of a student: I a child or youth�s living situation does not clearly fall into the situations described above, the school should refer to te McKinney-Vento definition of �fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence� and consider the relative permanence of the living arrangements. Determinations of homelessness should be made on a case-by-case basis. Note that incarcerated children and youth and children/youth in foster care are not considered homeless.

6. 6 Homeless Education and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will provide approximately $100 billion for education, creating a historic opportunity to save hundreds of thousands of jobs, support states and school districts, and advance reforms and improvements that will create long-lasting results for our students and our nation including early learning, K-12, and post-secondary education. Education for Homeless Youth will receive a total of : $70 million

7. McKinney Vento Stimulus Funds McKinney Vento Stimulus funds for the 2009-10 Consolidated Application is based on the number of homeless students reported for 2008-09 CREP (Center for Research in Educational Policy) Report data for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. 15 LEAs McKinney-Vento subgrants additional funding will not affect current McKinney Vento Subgrant McKinney-Vento Stimulus funds Title I Stimulus Homeless set aside 131 LEAs without McKinney-Vento subgrants McKinney-Vento Stimulus funds Title I Stimulus funds Homeless set aside 7

8. CREP Report Center for Research in Educational Policy 8

9. CREP Report Center for Research in Educational Policy 9

10. Student Management System Update your Student Management System (i.e. SASI, Oran, Chancery, STAR, etc. ) Accurate count of homeless students Compare your Student Management System to your CREP count 10

11. 11 Activities allowed for the McKinney Vento Stimulus funds LEAs may use McKinney Vento Stimulus program funds to carry out these and other activities that promote the purpose of the program. � Educational Services Tutoring, supplemental instruction and other educational services that help homeless children and youth reach the same challenging State content and State student performance standards to which all children and youth are held. Before- and after- school programs, mentoring, and summer programs for homeless children and youth. Developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs for homeless children of preschool age that are not provided through other federal, state, or local funds. Expedited evaluations of homeless children and youth to measure their strengths and needs. Educational and training programs for parents of homeless children and youth regarding the rights their children have as homeless individuals and the educational and other resources available to their children.

12. Activities allowed for the McKinney Vento Stimulus funds LEAs may use McKinney Vento Stimulus program funds to carry out these and other activities that promote the purpose of the program continued: Professional Development Programs and other activities designed to raise awareness among educators and pupil services personnel of the rights of homeless children and youth under the Act, and the special needs such children and youth have as a result of their homelessness. Coordination of Services� Programs coordinating services provided by schools and other agencies to homeless children and youth to expand and enhance such services. � Comprehensive Services� Referrals of homeless children and youth to medical, dental, mental, and other health services. Pupil services programs providing violence prevention counseling and referrals to such counseling. Programs addressing the particular needs of homeless children and youth that may arise from domestic violence. 12

13. Activities allowed for the McKinney Vento Stimulus funds LEAs may use McKinney Vento Stimulus program funds to carry out these and other activities that promote the purpose of the program continued: Transportation� Paying the excess cost of transportation not otherwise provided through federal, state, or local funds, to enable homeless children and youth to attend schools selected under Section 722(g)(3) of the Act.� School Records� Paying fees and costs associated with locating, obtaining, and transferring records necessary for the enrollment of homeless children and youth in school. School Supplies Providing supplies to non-school facilities serving homeless children and youth and adapting these facilities to enable them to provide services.� Providing school supplies to homeless children and youth at shelters, temporary housing facilities, and other locations as appropriate. 13

14. Activities allowed for the McKinney Vento Stimulus funds LEAs may use McKinney Vento Stimulus program funds to carry out these and other activities that promote the purpose of the program continued: Extraordinary or Emergency Assistance Providing extraordinary or emergency services to homeless children and youth as necessary to enroll and retain such children and youth in school. (May not be used for rent, utilities, etc.)� Other Grantee Services� LEAs may also use sub-grant funds to enter into contracts with other agencies or organizations to provide services for homeless children and youth. 14

15. 15 How do we �Get It Right� regarding identification and enrollment? Identification and Enrollment of Homeless Children and Youth Step 1 � Student Identification Ensure that school personnel know how to identify and refer students to the Homeless Education Liaison by using a referral flag on the Student Enrollment Form Step 2 � Gather Information Input data in the Student Management System (i.e. SASI, Oran, Chancery, STAR, etc. ) Student Name TOS State Id Grade Level Date of Birth Enrollment/Withdrawal Date Ethnicity and Gender Classification Step 3 � Disseminate Information Display posters Collaborate with CBO

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17. Assurances 1. The project will be operated in compliance with Title X, Part C, of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1990, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, and in accordance with the statutes, regulations, policies, and other administrative rules promulgated by and required of the Tennessee Department of Education. 2. The LEA will keep such records and provide such information to the SEA as may be required for fiscal audit and program evaluation. 3. The LEA will use funds received under the grant to supplement, not supplant, funds used before the award of the grant for purposes of providing services to homeless children and youth. 4. The LEA will use fiscal control and funds accounting procedures that will ensure proper disbursement of; and accounting for, federal funds paid to that agency under this program and will observe all applicable grant requirements. 5. The LEA will prepare and submit to the Tennessee Department of Education reports and data as might be required. 6. The LEA will designate a homeless liaison to ensure that homeless children and youth enroll and succeed in school; and homeless families, children, and youth receive educational services for which such families, children, and youth are eligible, including Head Start and Even Start programs and preschool programs administered by the local education agency, and referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health services, and other appropriate services. 7. Each LEA shall adopt policies and practices to ensure that transportation is provided, at the request of the parent or guardian (or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, at the request of the liaison), to and from the school of origin. 8. Each LEA shall review and revise any policies that may act as barriers to the enrollment of homeless children and youth in school. 9. Each LEA shall provide the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) with a description of policies and procedures consistent with section 722 (e) (3), and will ensure that activities will not isolate or stigmatize homeless children and youth. 10. Each LEA will coordinate with state and local housing agencies responsible for developing the comprehensive housing affordability strategy described in section lO~ of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to minimize educational disruption for children who become homeless. The LEA will use these funds to come into compliance with paragraphs (3) through (7) of section 722(g) of the McKinney-Vento Act. The LEA will comply with maintenance of effort requirements. 17

18. ??? Questions/Comments ??? 18

19. 19 Additional Resources to support your work with homeless students in Tennessee The McKinney Vento Spring Liaison Training for all Homeless Education Liaisons in April TDOE Homeless Education webpage http://www.tennessee.gov/education/fedprog/fphomeless.shtml Karen P. Munn, Project DirectorHomeless Education & School RecognitionP 615-532-6309�� F 615-253-5706 karen.munn@state.tn.us