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PROJECT DIVINE INTERRUPTION. Presenters: Ms. Tracy Brinkley and Dr. Barbara Armstrong. Objectives.
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PROJECT DIVINE INTERRUPTION Presenters: Ms. Tracy Brinkley and Dr. Barbara Armstrong
Objectives • To introduce the great small town of Thomasville, NC and its challenges developing an innovative educational awareness program about M-V students for the school and community thus creating transparency • To identify processes and procedures for an effective school and church partnership • To understand and embrace the political realities regarding the state of homelessness
Homelessness 101 For Administrators
HOMELESSNESS 101 September 30,2009 Administrators Extraordinaire
What, then, is Homelessness? • Homelessness is the condition of not having a fixed, stable, regular and adequate nighttime residence
REASONS • HOUSING • UNEMPLOYMENT • POVERTY
Where are they? • Doubled up • Cars • Trailer parks • Bridges • Abandoned homes
School Barriers Unable to meet enrollment requirements (proof of residence, legal guardianship, school and health records) Lack of transportation Lack of school supplies and clothing
M-V • McKinney-Vento (Homeless Assistance Act)—1987 • Reauthorized in NCLB in 2001 • Requires: *students can remain in one school and begin attending immediately even if cannot produce normally required documents, such as birth certificates, proof of guardianship, proof of residency, shot records
What do Displaced families look like • 84% are female headed • 29% of adults in homeless families work • 42% of children in homeless families are under age 6 • By age 12, 83% of homeless children have been exposed to at least one serious violent event • Homeless students are sick 4x more often
Cont’d • 16% of homeless preschoolers exhibit severe aggression and hostility • 85% regularly attend school • 48% are proficient in reading • 43% are proficient in math
TCS STATS • 58 STUDENTS IDENTIFIED IN 2008-2009 • 54 OF THE 58--------LIVING DOUBLED UP • 2 OF THE 58----------LIVING IN CARS, PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS, SUBSTANDARD HOUSING • 2 OF THE 58----------LIVING IN Hotels/Motels
The Paradox • 85% free and reduced lunch • TPS-----------30 • LDES---------15 • TMS----------12 • THS-----------01
Possible Identifiers • Tardiness • Sleeping in class • Few changes of clothes and/or unclean clothes • Sudden change in behavior and/or performance • Constant change in how get home • Homework, if done, is lost or crumpled
Non-Issue Non-Issue
Federal Strategic Plan 2010 • Goal 1: To end chronic homelessness in five (5) years • Goal 2: To prevent and end homelessness among veterans in five (5) years • Goal 3: To prevent and end homelessness for families, youth, and children in ten (10) years • Goal 4: To end all types of homelessness
Vision No one should experience homelessness and no one should be without a safe, stable place to call home
"You're not the only one worried about how much you'll eat over the Holidays."
"What you and I do not know about homelessness, over 1 million U.S. children do."
Reality Check • Grass Roots • Strong beginning • Greater Roots • PDI enveloping state and national efforts • Embrace and coordinate services with state and national audiences
Pair and Share How do you see the PDI efforts in a small town called Thomasville being duplicated and/or modified in your local community?
Pair and Share What barriers do you see in your community with implementing PDI? How could you address those barriers?
Contact Information • Ms. Tracy Brinkley Community Volunteer and Activist Email: tbbrinkley@gmail.com Phone: 336-880-5875 • Dr. Barbara Armstrong District Homeless Liaison, Thomasville City Schools Email: armstrongb@tcs.k12.nc.us Phone: 336-474-4238