Linking Homeless Students to Academic Success

1. Linking Homeless Students to Academic Success McKinney-Vento Implementation in Akron Public Schools

2. Identification, Enrollment and Transportation

3. Identifying Students • Schools • Secretaries • Counselors • Principals • Shelters • Community • Social Service Organizations • Juvenile Court • Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority • Fair Housing Contact Service

4. Enrollment • School Staff Awareness. • See “Project RISE- Model of Seamless Enrollment- What Principals and School Personnel Need to Know” • Specifications are listed in the Board of Education Board Policy • Enrollment form contains checkboxes for: • Student resides in shelter or transitional housing program • Student resides in hotel or motel • Student resides in a car/trailer/motor home on private property • Student resides in a place not designated for normal residence • Student not living with ANY parent or legal guardian • Student and student’s family are living with another family • Involvement of shelter staff and school personnel. • Coordination with other school districts

5. Transportation • When transportation is requested all parties communicate via e-mail for documentation and record keeping purposes. E-mails include the following: • Student’s name and birthdate • Temporary address • Parent/guardian name and contact number • Key Points • Coordinated transportation between liaison, principals, counselors, transportation department and shelter staff. • Coordination with other school districts • Parent involvement

6. Project RISEProgramming and Services

7. After School Programming • Tutoring • 9 shelter sites have tutoring at least once a week • Tutors are certified teachers, service learners from the university and volunteers from the community • Fosters increased academic stabilization

8. After School Programming • Meet with local shelter staff to assess needs and find out about current programming. • Who will staff the activities? • Secure volunteers to support staff efforts. • Designate a space to conduct activities and store needed supplies. Getting Started

9. Parent Outreach • Parent Pack Folder filled with useful information. • Monthly Mailings • Parent Letters

10. Love and Learn Doll Project This program utilizes local volunteers who make handmade dolls and tote bags that come with a book and activity booklet. The Love and Learn Doll Project promotes positive parent-child interaction and school readiness.

11. PACT- Performing Arts Can Teach • Performing arts program that exposes students and families to live theater. • Each student who attends the performance receives a study guide and storybook. • Community Partners • First United Methodist • Provides space and food for Dinner Theater event • Weathervane Theater • Provides tickets for local performances • Magical Theater • Provides tickets for performances • Performs plays for the Dinner Theater events • University of Akron Theater • Provides tickets for plays and musical performances

12. Parents RISE-ing Parents RISE-ing events are focused on family fellowship, food, and programming that is both fun and educational for students and parents. Themes include: Harvest Dinner Soul Food Dinner Spring Celebration

13. Arts & Literacy Programs Kidz Art, a local contracted service provider presents art and literacy programs at the local shelter sites during the school year and the summer

14. Moms on the RISE Traces of a life hoped for- peace, love, happiness, smile. MAM (Mothers Assisting Mothers) is a local contracted service provider who works with the mothers at the shelters on parenting techniques through art, activities, and discussion. Heart: Love and hope. Lace Border: Protection of family Tear: Release of pain and hurt. Peace: Brings it all together for good. Flowers: Growth and beauty from within me

15. Summer Field Trips Each summer, staff members accompany youth and families on five different educational field trips. Time is spent observing, creating, and processing.

16. Clothing Room • Project RISE partnered with Trinity United Church of Christ to provide students with : • New and used uniforms • Clothes • Shoes • School Supplies • Toiletries

17. Akron Street Card • Pocket directory of local agencies covering many needs. • Updated yearly by RISE staff and a committee of representatives from local agencies • Funded by community donations. • 150,000 printed annually

18. Resource Directory • Booklet format directory similar to the Street card focused on services for families. • Distributed to the shelters and doubled-up families. • Some categories include: Clothing & Shoes, Fatherhood Initiatives, and Resources for Parents & Grandparents. • Approximately 750 printed annually.

19. Community Awareness Displays and events take place around the community to raise awareness about Project RISE and family homelessness

20. Advisory Council • Since 1998, the Project RISE Advisory Council has expanded and developed into a strong and diverse collaborative council comprised of community members: • Akron Public Schools • Transportation • Student Services • Child Study • Title 1 • Special Education • Child Nutrition Services • Local Shelters • Continuum of Care • Area Agencies • The University of Akron • Children’s Services • Jobs and Family Services • Juvenile Court • Akron- Summit County Public Library • Head Start • Akron Urban League • Formerly Homeless Parents

21. Advisory Council cont. • This collaboration has brought forth greater understanding of the special issues and needs of homeless children and youth while at the same time generating greater involvement and community resources. These efforts have helped reduce the barriers of homeless children and youth. There are presently 32 Council Members and Resource Persons

22. Community Collaboration

23. The Benefits of Community Collaboration • Provides enrichment that may not have otherwise been provided because of funding. • Provides expertise that may not be part of your staff’s skill set. • Helps raise awareness of homeless children and youth.

24. Community Partners • First Book • Local chapter of the national organization provides age appropriate brand-new books to the students at various events. • University of Akron and Kent State University • Service Learners who volunteer with the tutoring program and at other events. • Hospice of the Western Reserve • Outreach to shelter residents who have experienced loss

25. Community Partners cont. • IJN-1 Foundation • Provides tickets to performances such as Disney on Ice and the circus • Akron-Summit County Public Library • Shelter Programming • Advertise about library programs • Age-specific programming at Parents RISEing Dinners

26. Community Partners cont. • VFW • Provides turkey and volunteers for the annual Harvest Dinner • Boy Scouts • Performs traditional Native American dances for the annual Harvest Dinner • Sons of Italy • Provided over 200 wrapped Christmas gifts for families at the shelters.

27. Community Partners cont. • Local Schools • Donates clothing and leftover uniforms from school uniform exchanges for the clothing room. • Summit County Department of Jobs and Family Services • Summit County Children’s Services Board • Local Businesses • Adopted doubled-up families for Christmas

28. Community Partners cont. • University of Akron Association for the Education of Young Children • Created t-shirts & blankets • Collected new athletic shoes • Collected teddy bears to distribute at the shelters Other Partners: • Feed the Children • Provides school supplies, books, and food packets.

29. Identify key school and community partners • Locate local chapters of national organizations • Network, network, network! • Communicate, Coordinate, and Collaborate School and Community Collaborations Getting Started

30. Contact Information Debra Manteghi District Homeless Education Liaison and Program Manager Akron Public Schools Project RISE 70 N. Broadway St. Room 300 Akron, Ohio 44308 330-761-2969 330-761-3226 fax dmantegh@akron.k12.oh.us