McKinney Vento Homeless Education Aiken County Schools

1. McKinney Vento Homeless Education Aiken County Schools Office of Federal Programs Sherida Stroman, McKinney Vento District Liaison

3. The Law: McKinney Vento • The McKinney Vento Homeless Act was signed into law in 1987 • The McKinney Vento Homeless Act was reauthorized in 2001 to ensure educational accessibility and success • The McKinney legislation protects the educational rights of homeless children and youth • The removal of barriers is mandated by law • The immediate enrollment of homeless children/youth • Identified homeless children/youth are protected under the law for an entire school calendar year

4. McKinney: The Definition of Homeless • The federal definition of homeless includes the following: • Homeless or homeless individual as an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence, i.e. motels, hotels, etc • A supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporarily living accommodations • Children and youth who are doubled-up due to economic hardship, loss of housing, etc. • Youth who are considered “throw-away”, abandoned and/or removed by parents, guardians.

5. Signs of Homelessness • Lack of Continuity in Education (attendance at many schools, lack of records, etc ) • Poor Health/Nutrition (unmet medical, dental, fatigue, etc) • Transportation and Attendance Problems (erratic attendance and tardiness, numerous absences) • Poor Hygiene (wearing same clothing for several days) • Lack of Privacy/Personal Space After School (lack of basic school supplies, consistent lack of preparation for school)

6. BARRIERS • Personal bias/perception about homelessness • Birth Certificate • Immunization Record • Social Security • Proof of Residency • Transportation to school of origin • Unaccompanied Youth Status • Biological Parent/Legal Guardian • PASS / Graduation/AYP Factors • Other records, documents required for school enrollment

7. McKinney Vento and the Unaccompanied Youth • McKinney Vento defines Unaccompanied youth as youth who do not live in the physical custody of their biological parents/legal guardians • Youth who do not reside in the physical custody of their parents live wherever they can find shelter (i.e. sofa surfing, friends, and other temporary accommodations. • Youth leave for a variety of reasons such as alcohol, drug, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and financial responsibilities. • Also, they leave because of abandonment and the burden of financial responsibilities requested by parents, and or legal guardians.

8. INTERVENTIONS : SOLUTION DRIVEN • Based on Needs Assessment for Support Services • Provide identification of homeless status • Ensure enrollment • Provide school supplies, clothing, hygiene assistance • School Food Service assistance (free lunch eligibility) • Encourage regular attendance, academic success • Encourage school stability

9. INTERVENTIONS : SOLUTION DRIVEN • Provide tutorial assistance (if needed) • Provide referral for school based and community based services • Provide student/parent information regarding the McKinney Vento Homeless Law • Assist with FAFSA –(Verification of Income) • Encouragement for post-high school endeavors • Case by case plan according to “identified needs”

10. McKinney Data Collection • Identified Students by grade level • Services provided to McKinney Students • Primary Residence: • Shelters • Doubled-up (relatives, friends) • Unsheltered (cars, campgrounds, parks) • Hotels/Motels • Substandard Housing

11. McKinney Vento Staffing • Director of Office of Federal Programs - Serves as District Coordinator for McKinney Vento • Lead Title I Student Service Worker • Serves as District McKinney Vento Liaison • 6 Title I Student Service Workers • Provide services for homeless students in addition to regular Title I duties • School Level McKinney Vento Liaisons • District employees (SFS, Transportation, Aides, etc)

12. National Center for Homeless Education National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth LeTendre Education Fund (scholarship) Student Aid on the Web Verification of Unaccompanied YouthStatus RESOURCES

13. SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RESOURCES SCHOOL RESOURCES • District Administration • Principals • Attendance Supervisors/Clerks • ESL • Special Education • School Food Service • Transportation • Guidance Counselors • School Level Staff (cafeteria workers, aides, media specialists, custodial, etc).

14. RESOURCES COMMUNITY RESOURCES • Aiken Barnwell Community Action • Golden Harvest Food Bank / Food Pantries • Christ Central • Aiken Barnwell Mental Health/ Hartzog Mental Health • North Augusta Community Action • VOICE (Valley Outreach Interfaith Center) • Margaret J. Weston • Department of Health and Human Services • Department of Social Services (Economic Services, Child Protective Services, Adult Protective Services)

15. RESOURCES (2) • Salvation Army (Aiken/Augusta) • Helping Hands • Nurture Home • Garden City Rescue Mission (Augusta) • Cumbee Center • Public Safety • ETC………

16. Additional Contact Information Catherine Neff, State Homeless Coordinator (803 ) 734-2880 King Laurence, Director of Office of Federal Programs (803) 641-2453 Sherida S. Stroman, District McKinney Vento Liaison (803) 335-7052