project divine interruption

Presenters: Ms. Tracy Brinkleyand

Dr. Barbara Armstrong

ObjectivesTo 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

The Big Chair

School Officials

Homelessness 101

September 30,2009Administrators Extraordinaire

What, then, is Homelessness?

Homelessness is the condition of not having a fixed, stable, regular and adequate nighttime residence

REASONSHOUSINGUNEMPLOYMENTPOVERTY

Where are they?Doubled upCarsTrailer parksBridgesAbandoned homes

School BarriersUnable to meet enrollment requirements (proof

of residence, legal guardianship, school and health records)

Lack of transportationLack of school supplies and clothing

M-VMcKinney-Vento (Homeless Assistance Act)—

1987Reauthorized in NCLB in 2001Requires:*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 headed29% of adults in homeless families work42% of children in homeless families are

under age 6By age 12, 83% of homeless children have

been exposed to at least one serious violent event

Homeless students are sick 4x more often

Cont’d16% of homeless preschoolers exhibit severe

aggression and hostility85% regularly attend school48% are proficient in reading43% are proficient in math

TCS STATS58 STUDENTS IDENTIFIED IN 2008-200954 OF THE 58--------LIVING DOUBLED UP2 OF THE 58----------LIVING IN CARS, PARKS,

CAMPGROUNDS, SUBSTANDARD HOUSING2 OF THE 58----------LIVING IN Hotels/Motels

The Paradox85% free and reduced lunch

TPS-----------30LDES---------15TMS----------12THS-----------01

Possible IdentifiersTardinessSleeping in classFew changes of clothes and/or unclean

clothesSudden change in behavior and/or

performanceConstant change in how get homeHomework, if done, is lost or crumpled

Project Divine Interruption

Memorial United Methodist Church

Love Poster

Separation of Church and State

Non-IssueNon-Issue

The Divine Ride

Federal Strategic Plan 2010Goal 1: To end chronic homelessness in five

(5) yearsGoal 2: To prevent and end homelessness

among veterans in five (5) yearsGoal 3: To prevent and end homelessness for

families, youth, and children in ten (10) yearsGoal 4: To end all types of homelessness

VisionNo one should experience homelessness and no

one should be without a safe, stable place to call home

"This Christmas, take something valuable out of a box.“

"You're riding in what thousands of kids 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."

"No child should be tucked into a car at night.“

Local and Federal Strategic Plans

Reality CheckGrass Roots

Strong beginning

Greater Roots

PDI enveloping state and national effortsEmbrace 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 InformationMs. Tracy BrinkleyCommunity Volunteer and ActivistEmail: tbbrinkley@gmail.comPhone: 336-880-5875Dr. Barbara ArmstrongDistrict Homeless Liaison, Thomasville City

SchoolsEmail: armstrongb@tcs.k12.nc.usPhone: 336-474-4238