Meeting the Educational Needs of Homeless Children and Youth

1. Meeting the Educational Needs of Homeless Children and Youth National Center for Homeless Education Diana Bowman, Director 336-315-7453 – dbowman@serve.org

2. Goals for Today • Learn about challenges and needs of homeless children and youth • Become more familiar with the McKinney-Vento Act • Learn some good practices • Network with colleagues • Learn about services and resources from NCHE NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

3. Putting a Face on Homelessness What challenges do homeless children and youth face? • In general • Educational challenges NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

4. Educational challenges • Lack of school stability and educational continuity • Stress, hunger, fatigue • Enrollment delays due to lack of school records, immunizations, proof of residence and guardianship) • Lack of access to programs • Lack of transportation • Lack of school supplies, clothing, etc. • Prejudice and misunderstanding

5. How many children experience homelessness? • 10% of all children living in poverty (WV Kids Count – 87,000) • 733,000-1.3 million youths • Over 40% of all children who are homeless are under the age of 5 • Almost 1 million reported nationally enrolled in school 2008-09 • 4,257 reported enrolled in West Virginia

6. WV Kids Count% Children in Poverty 2007 NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

7. Where do homeless children live? NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

8. McKinney-VentoHomeless Assistance Act Reauthorized in 2001 as Title X, Part C of ESEA • Main themes: • School access • School stability • Support for academic success • Child-centered, best interest decision making • Critical role of the local homelessliaison NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

9. Critical Role of theHomeless Liaison Every LEA must designate a liaison for students in homeless situations • Responsibilities • Ensure children and youth in homeless situations are identified • Ensure homeless students enroll in and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school • Link with educational services, including preschool and health services NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

10. Homeless Liaison’sRole, cont. • Inform parents, guardians, or youth of educational rights, including school of origin and transportation • Post public notice of educational rights • Resolve disputes • Collaborate with programs and agencies in the school district and in the community NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

11. Who is Covered? Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence— • Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations • Living in emergency or transitionalshelters • Abandoned in hospitals NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

12. Who is Covered? (cont.) • Awaiting foster care placement • Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live • Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, etc. • Migratory children living in above circumstances • Unaccompanied youth whoare experiencing the above circumstances Case-by-case determination … NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

13. Eligibility Scenario #1 The Maynard family lost its housing due to a fire. Mr. Maynard’s brother is letting the family live in a trailer on his property until their house is repaired. • Are the school-aged children eligible for McKinney-Vento services? • Suppose the repairs on their house will not be completed until next October? NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

14. Eligibility Scenario #2 Last year, Alisha Kincaid sent her children to live with their grandmother. Alisha left the state to find work. She found a job, but has not come to get the children. Would the school-aged children be eligible for McKinney-Vento services? NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

15. It depends … Additional Questions • Is the children’s placement in the grandmother’s home fixed, regular, and adequate? • What are the mother’s plans? • What are the grandmother’s plans and preferences? Is she willing to keep the children for the long-term? Is she able to keep them? • Where is the father? NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

16. The first step is identification … • Outreach is key – posters, key contacts (schools, shelters, hotels, motels, campgrounds, churches, social services, law enforcement, food banks, medical clinics, laundromats) • Make schools welcoming environments • School staff awareness – “warning signs” • School district parent handbook • Data collection - see where childrencome from NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

17. How an Enrollment Form Can Help Enrollment Form Check the following living situations that apply: __ Living in own home, rented home or apartment __ Living with friends or relatives temporarily __ Living in a shelter __ Living in a hotel or motel __ Living in other circumstances (explain) NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

18. Where can homelesschildren attend school? Children and youth experiencing homelessness can, according to their best interest: • enroll in any public school that students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend • stay in their school of origin School of origin — school attended when permanently housed or in which last enrolled NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

19. School Stability Best interest — keep homeless students in their school of origin, to the extent feasible, unless this is against the parents’ or guardians’ wishes NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

20. Feasibility—USDE Sample Criteria Feasibility criteria focus on the best interest of the student • Continuity of instruction • Age of the child or youth • Safety of the child or youth • Length of stay at the shelter • Likely area where family will find permanent housing • Student’s need for special instructional programs • Impact of commute on education • School placement of siblings • Time remaining in the school year 2004 Non-Regulatory Guidance, p.14 NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

21. School Selection • Students can stay in their school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing • If a student becomes homeless in between academic years, he or she may continue in the school of origin for the following academic year • If a student is sent to a school other than that requested by a parent or guardian, the district must provide a written explanation to the parent or guardian of its decision and the right to appeal NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

22. School Selection Scenario Laura is a junior in high school. She and her family had to move in with her aunt because the bank foreclosed on their house. Laura now lives outside of her school’s residency zone. • What questions would you ask to help Laura and her parents determine which school she should attend? • What are some important feasibility considerations? NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

23. Transportation • LEAs must provide homeless students with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a parent’s or guardian’s request (or at the liaison’s request for unaccompanied youth) • If the student’s temporary residence and the school of origin are in the same LEA, that LEA must provide or arrange transportation • If the student is living outside of the school of origin’s LEA, the LEA where the student is living and the school of origin’s LEA must determine how to divide the responsibility and cost, or they must share the responsibility and cost equally NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

24. Transportation (cont.) • In addition to providing transportation to the school of origin, LEAs must provide students in homeless situations with transportation services comparable to those provided to other students School districts must eliminate barriers to the school enrollment and retention of students experiencing homelessness (including transportation barriers) NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

25. Enrollment • Homeless children and youth have the right to enroll in school immediately, even if they do not have required documents, such as school or medical records, proof of residency, proof of guardianship, or other documents • If a student does not have immunizations, or immunization or medical records, the liaison must assist in obtaining them The terms “enroll” and “enrollment” include attending classes and participating fully in school activities. NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

26. Enrollment (cont.) • Enrolling schools must obtain school records, but students must be enrolled in school while records are obtained • Schools must make records available when a child or youth enters a new school or district • SEAs and LEAs must develop, review, and revise policies to remove barriers to the enrollment and retention of homeless children and youth • Federal law supersedes state and local laws where there is a conflict [U.S. Constitution, Article VI] NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

27. Enrollment Scenario Ms. Kincaid went to Peck Elementary School to enroll her sons. She said she was evicted from her apartment and didn’t have time to get many of her belongings. She seemed uncomfortable with providing information. • What are some strategies for obtaining information from Ms. Kincaid? • What does she need to be told regarding the McKinney-Vento Act? • What are some next steps for helping her and her children? NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

28. Enrollment Strategies • Create awareness among enrollment staff about using sensitivity and discretion • Have clothing and school supplies available • Provide rights in written form, such as a flyer or handbook • Provide orientation for parents/students with introductions to teachers and staff • Inform parents and students of extracurricular activities • Have community collaborations in place for referrals NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

29. Dispute Resolution • When a dispute arises, the parent or guardian must be provided with a written explanation of the school’s decision, including the right to appeal • When a dispute over enrollment arises, the student must be admitted immediately to the school of choice while the dispute is being resolved • The school must refer the student, parent, or guardian to the local liaison • The liaison will implement the State’s dispute resolution process • Documentation should be kept for all local liaison intervention with parents – not just formal disputes (ESEA) NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

30. Prompt and Proper Placement • Call previous school for records/information • Ask parents/students what they have been studying • Utilize quick assessment strategies (Download Prompt and Proper Placement: Enrolling Students without Records at http://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/assessment.pdf Homeless students may not be segregated in separate schools or programs/settings within schools or stigmatized on the basis of their status as homeless NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

31. HomelessUnaccompanied Youth Definition: a youth who meets the definition of homeless and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian • Liaisons must help unaccompanied youth choose and enroll in a school, after considering the youth’s wishes, and inform the youth of his or her appeal rights • School personnel must be madeaware of the specific needs of runaway and homeless youth NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

32. Challenges for Unaccompanied Youth • Misunderstanding and prejudice • School enrollment issues • Lack of significant adult in their lives • Juggling school and employment • Lack of stable housing • Difficulty accumulating academic credits • Fear of being returned home NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

33. WV Law • Running away is termed a status offense • Runaway youth can be taken into custody without a warrant by a police officer WEST VIRGINIA CODE§49-5B-6. Enforcement of legal custody.The department of health and human resources shall have authority to require any juvenile committed to its legal custody to remain at and to return to the residence to which the juvenile is assigned by the department or by the juvenile court. In aid of such authority, and upon request of a designated employee of the department, any police officer, sheriff, deputy sheriff, or juvenile court probation officer is authorized to take any such juvenile into custody and return such juvenile to his or her place of residence or into the custody of a designated employee of the department. Ten states classify runaway youth as status offenders. (Alone without a Home, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, 2003. NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

34. Strategies for Unaccompanied Youth • Enroll them • Coordinate with law enforcement, child welfare, and youth agencies – put policies in place ahead of time • Be honest with the youth • Train staff who work with youth (enrollment staff, secretaries, guidance counselors, principals, and teachers) on the definition, rights, and needs of unaccompanied youth • Develop caretaker forms, self-enrollment, and other forms to replace typical proof of guardianship NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

35. More Strategies for Unaccompanied Youth • Provide opportunities to enroll in diversified learning opportunities, such as vocational education, credit-for-work programs, and flexible school hours – yet don’t assume youth need alternative learning programs • Provide a “safe place” and trained mentor at school • Permit exceptions to school policies on class schedules, tardiness, absences, and credits • Assist with credit accrual and recovery; provide opportunities to make up credits NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

36. Unaccompanied Youth Scenario Delores, a 16-year-old, who has come to your school to enroll. She said she left home because she can’t get along with her stepfather and is staying with a girlfriend. Her mom wants her to come home, says she has a perfectly good home to come to and does not want her to enroll in another school. • Should the school enroll Delores? • What else should the school? • With what kind of referrals and services should Delores be linked? NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

37. Preschool-Aged Children • Liaisons must ensure that families and children have access to Head Start, Even Start, and other public preschool programs administered by the LEA • The reauthorized Head Start legislation includes many provisions to serve young children who are homeless and requires coordination with local liaisons • MV and IDEA staff must coordinate on Child Find activities Identification Tip: When enrolling school-aged children, ask about younger siblings who may be eligible for preschool programs NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

38. Access to Services • Students experiencing homelessness must have access to all educational services for which they are eligible • Undocumented children and youth are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act just as other students • Liaisons and shelter directors can secure free school meals for students by providing student names and effective dates • Children who are homeless and highly mobile and have disabilities are afforded rights in IDEA NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

39. Title I and Homelessness • Homeless children and youth are automatically eligible for Title IA services • Title I programs must reserve (set aside) funds to serve homeless students in non-Title I schools • Title I homeless set aside funds can provide services to homeless students that are not ordinarily provided to Title I students if those services are not available from other sources • Title I funds cannot be used for transportation to the school of origin but can be used for other transportation needs NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

40. Appropriate Expendituresfor Title IA Set Asides • Additional instructional services in Title I schools or non-Title I schools • Tutoring programs in shelters • Eyeglasses • Counseling • School supplies • Uniforms Not • Prom dresses • Rent and utilities for families See Title I ARRA Guidance, G-11, http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/leg/recovery/guidance/titlei-reform.pdf NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

41. Title I Scenario Ms. Gibson is the local liaison for the Clear Creek school district. One of the homeless students has been invited to compete in the state spelling bee in Charleston. His family cannot afford the entry fee or the travel expenses. Clear Creek does not have a McKinney-Vento subgrant. • Could Title IA funds be used for these expenses? • What kind of communication and collaboration between McKinney-Vento and Title I is needed? • How should the amount of the annual Title IA set aside for homeless students be determined?

42. Putting it all together – how does your school district measure up? Standards and Indicators of Quality McKinney-Vento Programs • What does your school district do well? • What could your school district do better? • What will enable your school district to improve its services for homeless children and youth? • What is the first step?

43. Resources and Help from NCHE NCHE is the U.S. Department of Education’s technical assistance and information center in the area of homeless education • Website: www.serve.org/nche • Publications and briefs available for download • Products (educational rights posters, Parent Pack folders, desktop enrollment foldouts, youth pocket handbooks, parent handbooks, NCHE brochures, etc.) – free in limited quantities • Toolkit for LEA Liaisons: http://www.serve.org/nche/products_list.php#liaison_toolkit • Helpline: 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org • Listserv – to join, contact bhartnes@serve.org • Online tutorials and trainings: http://www.serve.org/nche/training.php NCHE • www.serve.org/nche

44. For more information • NCHE website: www.serve.org/nche • NCHE helpline: 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org • Other national organizations:NAEHCY (www.naehcy.org)NLCHP (www.nlchp.org) A Unizue Professional Development Opportunity NAEHCY’s 21th Annual Conference November 6-9, 2010 Houston, TX http://www.naehcy.org NCHE • www.serve.org/nche