Charlotte County Public Schools Education Project for Students “in Transition”

1. Charlotte County Public SchoolsEducation Project for Students “in Transition” Helping students in temporary accommodations to achieve academic success! One Child, One School, One Year. Rev. June 2014

2. How vulnerable are you of losing your regular living quarters? • Have you ever experienced a flood, fire, hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster? • Do you live in a household with no more than one full-time wage earner? • Are housing costs in your area increasing faster than wages? • Does anyone in your family struggle with addictions such as drugs or alcohol? • Have you, a family member, or friend ever suffered from a sudden, chronic, or long-term illness that kept you from earning a living? • Have you or know of someone that has experienced domestic violence and been forced to move? Rev. June 2014

3. Who is eligible? Students in transition who lack a fixed, or regular, or adequate nighttime residence: • Students living in domestic violence shelters, teen parent shelters or runaway shelters • Students on the street, abandoned buildings or vehicles • Students living in public spaces: woods, parks or tents Rev. June 2014

4. Who is eligible? • Students living in temporary trailer parks, campgrounds or substandard housing due to lack of alternative accommodations • Students living in low rent hotels/motels due to lack of alternative accommodations • Students sharing the house, mobile home or apartment of other persons due to lack of alternative accommodations, dwelling eviction or hardship (Doubled-Up) Rev. June 2014

5. Who is eligible? • 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 • Students abandoned in hospitals • Migratory students who qualify as homeless because they are living in the circumstances described above Rev. June 2014

6. McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment • Proof of Date of Birth • Proof of Immunization • Physical Examination • Proof of Residency 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: Rev. June 2014

7. 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. School of Origin – The school the student attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the student was last enrolled. 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. Rev. June 2014

8. 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. Rev. June 2014

9. 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. Rev. June 2014

10. 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. • Complete Appendix 18 – Caregiver’s Authorization Form • from the Guidelines for Student Registration 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. Rev. June 2014

11. This School Year 2013-14 • We have served 519 students • This represents approximately 322families • We have served 98 unaccompanied youth this school year • On average we have certified 52new students per month Rev. June 2014

12. FIVE YEAR TREND DATA Rev. June 2014

13. Charlotte County Public Schools2013 - 2014 Englewood/El Jobean Area • Myakka River Elementary 6 • LA Ainger Middle School 10 • Lemon Bay High School 24 • Vineland Elementary 10 Total # of Students 50 Rev. June 2014

14. Charlotte County Public Schools2013 - 2014 Port Charlotte/Murdock Area • Academy 41 • Charlotte Harbor Center 7 • Kingsway Elementary 9 • Liberty Elementary 42 • Meadow Park Elementary 40 • Murdock Middle School 34 • Neil Armstrong Elementary 50 • Peace River Elementary 39 • Pt Charlotte High School 43 • Pt Charlotte Middle School 29 Total # of Students 334 Rev. June 2014

15. Charlotte County Public Schools2013 - 2014 Punta Gorda/Burnt Store/Deep Creek Area • Baker Center 8 • Charlotte High School 57 • Deep Creek Elementary 9 • East Elementary School 23 • Punta Gorda Middle School 23 • Sallie Jones Elementary 14 • Edison Collegiate High School 1 Total # of Students135 Rev. June 2014

16. School Support Services • Expedite and remove barriers to enrollment • Promote parent awareness and involvement for student academic achievement • Referral and assistance to after-school enrichment programs • Provide reading tutorial services • Certify for free school meals • Assist with school supplies and educational materials Rev. June 2014

17. School Support Services • Assist with school clothing, uniforms & shoes • Assist with payment of programs and school fees • Provide referrals for medical, dental and mental health services • Coordinate transportation to school of origin • Monitor student academic progress, attendance and behavior • Counseling intervention to parents/students • Assist in resolving school placement disputes Rev. June 2014

18. Additional Family Services Available • Provide information on community resources for assistance with housing, utilities, prescriptions, entitlement programs, etc… • Provide assistance for emergency food • Provide assistance with personal hygiene items • Provide assistance with bed linens & towels Rev. June 2014

19. Additional Family Services Available • Reimburse parents, guardians or unaccompanied youth for excess transportation costs • Assist with obtaining reconditioned-computers, equipment & software • Coordinate holiday(s) assistance and Adopt-a-Family • Provide children with reading books Rev. June 2014

20. Special Thanks to our Partners and Supporters • Agape Int’l Church of God • American Legion Rotonda West # 113 • Burnt Store Presbyterian Church – PG • Charlotte County Homeless Coalition • Charlotte Local Education Foundation • Christ Community United Methodist Church • Empty Bowls Project at CCPS • First Presbyterian Church of PC • GFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club • Pilgrim United Methodist Church of PC • Rotonda Elks Lodge #2710 • St Andrews South Golf Club • Trinity Anglican Church • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte Co. • Yah Yah Girls, Inc. • Many Generous Local Charlotte County Residents Rev. June 2014

21. Charlotte County Public Schools Education Project for Students “in Transition” Homeless Education Project Renee Rebhan 3131 Lakeview Boulevard Port Charlotte, FL 33948 (941) 255-7480 Website: http://www.yourcharlotteschools.net/community/hmls.cfm Rev. June 2014