Charlotte County Public Schools Education for Homeless Children & Youth

1. Charlotte County Public SchoolsEducation for HomelessChildren & Youth Update of Guidelines, Procedures & Services for Homeless Students Lucy H. Garner, Ph. D., LCSW Homeless Youth & Family Liaison

2. What are some causes of Homelessness?

3. Causes of Homelessness • Lack of Affordable Housing/Evictions • Low Income/Unemployment/Lack in Skills • Health & Mental Health Problems • Domestic Abuse & Violence • Lack of Safe & Stable Living Environment • Physical/Sexual Abuse by a Parent or Guardian • Parent or Guardian Alcohol/Drug Addiction • Natural Disasters

4. McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 Title X Part C No Child Left Behind Act

5. The McKinney-Vento Act The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that entitles children who are homeless to a free, appropriate public education, and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance, and success in school. • School access • School stability • Support for academic success

6. Who is eligible? Students that are in transition 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 transitional shelters • Abandoned in hospitals • Living in domestic violence shelters, teen parent shelters or runaway shelters

7. Who is eligible? (Cont.) • Living on the street, abandoned buildings or vehicles • Living in public spaces: woods, parks or tents • Students not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, living in unstable or inadequate housing accommodations (Unaccompanied Youth) • Students awaiting foster care placement • Migratory students quality as homeless because they are living in the circumstances described above. Once a student is identified they remain eligible for services for the entire school year.

8. McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment Students must be enrolled immediately 42 U.S.C. Section 11432(g)(3)(C) Student first, paperwork last! No 30-day rule for Providing Documentation Federal Law takes precedence over Florida State Law The Homeless Liaison can assist in removing barriers by helping to obtain: • Complete Appendix 17 - Affidavit of Non-Permanent/Regular Residence Status from the Guidelines for Student Registration • Proof of Date of Birth • Proof of Immunization • Physical Examination • Proof of Residency

9. McKinney-Vento Act: School Placement 42 U.S.C. Section 11432(g)(3) The student must be allowed to attend their school of originto the extent feasible, unless that is against the wishes of the parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth. • If the student moves into permanent housing during the school year, the student can finish that academic year in the school of origin. • If a student enrolls in a new school near the temporary housing and then moves to a third attendance area, they may attend either the school near the initial temporary housing or the school the student attended when permanently housed. School of Origin – The school the student attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the student was last enrolled.

10. McKinney-Vento Act: Placement Disputes Student must be enrolled immediatelyin their school of choice • If the school district sends a homeless child or youth to a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth, the school district must: • Immediately enroll the student in the school in which enrollment is sought, while the dispute is being resolved. • Provide a written explanation of its decision. • Notify of their right to appeal the placement decision. • Refer to the Homeless Liaison to ensure disputes are resolved objectively and expeditiously.

11. McKinney-Vento Act: Placement Disputes (Cont.) • Inter-district disputes shall be resolved by the FDOE. • The Homeless Liaison must be notified. • The liaison will address any policies or procedures that are identified as barriers to enrollment.

12. Educational Rights of Unaccompanied Youth Unaccompanied youth (a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, living in unstable or inadequate housing accommodations) have the same rights as other students experiencing homelessness. The Homeless Liaison will: • Help unaccompanied youth select and enroll in school, after considering the youth’s wishes. • Inform them of their rights to transportation to the school of origin and assist with arranging transportation. • Inform them of their right to appeal school selection decisions counter to their wishes. • Inform school personnel or requirements of the law and needs of youth. • Work with police and social services regarding mandatory reporting to ensure that care is exercised to keep a youth in school and serve his/her best interest. • Complete Appendix 18 – Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit • from the Guidelines for Student Registration

13. Total Students in Transition by Year Since Inception Rev. 8/08

14. Florida Dept. of EducationBureau of Student Assistance

15. Forms to use Registration Forms: • Appendix 1 : What Should I Bring to Register a Student in School • Appendix 2 : Registration Checklist • Appendix 4 : Student Registration Form • Appendix 8 : Physical Exam Requirement and Procedures • Appendix 17 : Affidavit of Non-Permanent Residence • Appendix 18 : Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit Homeless Denial of Transportation Forms: • Appendix 30 : Notice of Placement/Transportation Denial • Appendix 31: Instructions for Written Notification of School Placement/Transportation Denial • Appendix 32 : Dispute Resolution Appeal Form

16. For additional information Please contact the District Homeless Youth & Family Liaison for Charlotte County Public Schools Lucy H. Garner, Ph. D., LCSW 3131 Lakeview Boulevard Port Charlotte, FL 33948 Telephone: (941) 255 – 7480 Fax: (941) 255 – 7483 Email: lucy_garner@ccps.k12.fl.us Rev. 12/07

17. According to legend: If you wish to make an impact for one year, you plant corn. If you wish to make an impact for a generation, you plant a tree. But if you wish to make an impact for an eternity, you educate a child. ~ Author unknown