Local Liaison Orientation

McKinney Vento 101: The Basics

Education of Homeless Children & Youth

1According to legendIf 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 unknown2Homelessness in ArizonaDuring State Fiscal Year 2011 (2010-2011)Single AdultsSheltered: 5,346Unsheltered: 2,440VeteransSheltered: 1,521Unsheltered: 510FamiliesSheltered: 5,044Unsheltered: 170YouthSheltered: 35Unsheltered: 82In school year 2011-2012 there were 31,683* homeless students enrolled in Arizona Schools* As of 07/12/20123Originally signed into law in 1987

1990 amendments educational access1994 amendments school choice

Reauthorized in 2001Equal opportunityHomeless LiaisonsSub Grant

Title VII portion included with NCLB in 2002 McKinney Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

4All golden colored italicized working is directly from McKinney-Vento Statute. Todays TopicsPolicies and proceduresIdentificationEnrollment ProceduresEducational servicesPublic NoticeTransportationAccountabilityContact Information

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Policies & Procedures

6Policies and ProceduresSEAs and LEAs must develop, review and revise their policies to remove barriers to the enrollment and retention of children and youth in homeless situations. [722(g)(1)(I)]

Immediate enrollment of Homeless students, regardless of missing documentation.

Transportation is provided to & from the school of origin.

Homeless children and youths are not stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their status as Homeless.

7Policies and Procedures States are prohibited from segregating homeless students in separate schools, separate programs within schools, or separate settings within schools. [722(e)(3)(A)]Integrated Model in 600 Local Education Agencies (LEAs)

Exception: A state that has a separate school for homeless children or youths that was operated in fiscal year 2000 in a covered county shall be eligible to receive funds under this subtitle. (Maricopa is a covered county.) [722(e)(3)(B)]Separate School model at T.J. Pappas School8Policies and Procedures(ii) local educational agencies will designate an appropriate staff person, who may also be a coordinator for other Federal programs, as a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths, to carry out the duties [722(g)(1)(J)(ii)]

9Each LEA must appoint a Liaison and report it to ADE to maintain a database of liaisons.

All liaison information must be updated on the common logon, Core-Data link.Identification

10IdentificationEach local education agency liaison for homeless children and youths shall ensure that (i) homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel and through coordination activities with other entities and agencies[722(g)(6)(A)(i)]11Identification

The term homeless children and youth (A)means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.[725(2)(A)]

Fixed one that is stationary, permanent, and not subject to change

Regular one which is used on a regular (i.e. nightly) basis

Adequate one that is sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments.

12IdentificationDeterminations of eligibility MUST be made on a case-by-case basis.

Housing is (1) temporary and (2) due to hardshipORHousing is substandard or considered inadequate within the contextORUnaccompanied youthNot living with a parent or guardian13IdentificationThe term homeless children and youth

(A) Includes -

(i) Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement.

14Identification(ii) Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

(iii) Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and

(iv) Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).[725(2)(A-B)(i-iv)]15Identification

The term unaccompanied youth' includes a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.[725(6)]

16Identification StrategiesEnrollment proceduresQuestionnaireInterviewsBuilding awareness with all staffBus driversTeachersCafeteria workersEtc.Coordination with agenciesCPSPoliceSheltersRefugee Resettlement 17Examples of Enrollment Questionnaire available in the resource guide.IdentificationUndocumented children and youth have the same right to attend public primary and secondary schools as U.S. citizens and are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act to the same extent as other children and youth.Plyler v. Doe [457 U.S. 202 (1982)]

It is well established that states cannot exclude children who are undocumented immigrants from public schools, Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982), and Proposition 200 does not attempt to do so. AG I04-010http://www.ag.state.az.us/opinions/2004.html18IdentificationSY 2005-2006SY 2006-2007SY 2007-2008SY 2008-2009SY 2009-2010SY 2010 - 2011SY 2011 - 2012Total HCY19,55719,62521,38125,26330,81531,31231,683*Doubled Up66%66%64.7%66.9%73%72%Sheltered18%23%25%24.9%21%22%Unknown6.5%2%3.7%0%0%0%Hotel/Motel4.5%6%4.7%3.8%3%3%Unsheltered4.5%3%1.9%4.4%3%3%* As of 07/12/2012Enrollment

20EnrollmentEach local education agency liaison for homeless children and youths shall ensure that

(ii) homeless children and youths enroll in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in, schools of that local education agency. [722(g)(6)(A)(ii)]

21ImmediateEven without Birth certificates Not required, per ARS 15-828School records Not required, per ARS 15-828Immunization Exempt for 5 calendar days, per ARS 15-872 subsection H

Children and youth have the right to enroll in school immediately, even if they do not have required documents, such as school records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documents. [722(g)(3)(C)(i)]Enrollment22Federal Law Always Trumps State Law!Enrollment School SelectionParent/Guardian Choice:

School of Origin

School of Residency

Note: Charters do have School of Origin responsibilities. 23Charters DO HAVE School of Origin ResponsibilitiesEnrollment School SelectionSchool of Origin The term school of origin' means the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled. [722(g)(3)(G)]

School of ResidencyThe school designated for the attendance area in which the student currently resides.

24Enrollment School SelectionLocal Educational Agencies (LEAs) must keep students in homeless situations in their school of origin, to the extent feasible, unless it is against the parents or guardians wishes. [722(g)(3)(B)(i)]

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. [722(g)(3)(A)(i)] [722(g)(3)(A)(i)(II)]

25EnrollmentEnroll students immediately and then follow up on details, disputes, etc.

If a student does not have immunizations, or immunization or medical records, the liaison must immediately assist in obtaining them, and the student must be enrolled in school in the interim. [722(g)(3)(C)(iii)]Enrolling schools must obtain school records from the previous school, and students must be enrolled in school while records are obtained. [722(g)(3)(C)(ii)]Schools must maintain records for students who are homeless so they are available quickly. [722(g)(3)(D)]26It is important to note here the it becomes the schools responsibility to obtain any records. EnrollmentDispute ResolutionWhat if you cannot agree?

The student must be immediately admitted to the school of choice while the dispute is being resolved.

Liaisons must ensure unaccompanied youth are immediately enrolled while the dispute is being resolved.

Whenever a dispute arises, the parent or guardian must be provided with written explanation of the schools decision, including the right to appeal the decision.

Liaisons must inform unaccompanied youth of their right to appeal the schools decision.

The school must refer the child, youth, parent, or guardian to the school liaison to carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible.

Arizonas State Plan, Item #3:27Every LEA must have a dispute resolution policy. Anytime the district decides in opposition of the parent it must be put in writing, even if the parent is okay with the decision. Enrollment State Level Appeal

If dissatisfied with the resolution, he/she may appeal the decision to the state level.

The appellant must submit a written State Level Notice of Appeal and copy of the LEAs decision to the Homeless Education Coordinator no later than seven (7) work days after receiving written notification of the district level or inter-district decision.

http://www.ade.az.gov/schooleffectiveness/specialpops/homeless/disputeresolution.asp

Copies of all paperwork filed with the Homeless Education Coordinator shall be provided to all other parties to the proceeding.

Within seven (7) work days, convene a panel of at least two (2) Arizona Department of Education employees. This panel shall review the entire record of the dispute, including any written statements submitted, and make a determination based on the child or youths best interest.

The determination of the panel shall be final.

28Educational Services

29Educational ServicesEach local education agency liaison for homeless children and youths, designated under paragraph (1)(j)(ii), shall ensure that

Homeless families, children, and youths receive educational services for which such families, children, and youths are eligible, including Head Start and Even Start programs and preschool programs administered by the local educational agency, and referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health services, and other appropriate services; [722(g)(6)(A)(iii)]30Educational ServicesTitle I A child or youth who is homeless and is attending any school in the district is automatically eligible for Title I services. [1115(b)(2)(E)]This includes support services and supplemental educational programs such as tutoring, summer school, preschool, etc.

Free and Reduced Breakfast/LunchFor LEAs with National School Lunch ProgramsAs of 2002, USDA policy permits liaisons to obtain free school meals for students by providing a list of names of students experiencing homelessness with dates. This became law with The Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004http://www.frac.org/html/federal_food_programs/cnreauthor/migrant.htm

31Educational ServicesEnglish Acquisition Services/ELLMigrant GiftedCounselingHead Start/Even StartLiaisons must ensure that families and children receive Head Start, Even Start programs and preschool programs. [722(g)(6)(A)(iii)]Preschool Special Education (if eligible)32If Head-Start is NOT administered by the LEA these students do not qualify for McKinney-Vento at this time. Public Notice

33Public NoticeEach local education agency liaison for homeless children and youths, designated under paragraph (1)(j)(ii), shall ensure that

The parents or guardians of homeless children and youths are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children; [722(g)(6)(A)(iv)]

Public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youths is disseminated where such children and youths receive services under this Act such as schools, family shelters, and soup kitchens; [722(g)(6)(A)(v)]

34Public NoticeOnce upon enrollment

Twice annuallyPostersNewsletterPamphletHandbookWebsite

In schools & in communityNotification needs to be made to all parents not just the homeless parents.

35Charter Schools do not have to do community public notice. Public NoticeAvailable in English & Spanish from http://www.serve.org/nche/products.php

36Serve has a national technical assistance grant to provide these posters free of charge. Transportation

37TransportationEach local education agency liaison for homeless children and youths, designated under paragraph (1)(j)(ii), shall ensure that

The parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth, and any unaccompanied youth, is fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin, and is assisted in accessing transportation to the school that is selected[722(g)(6)(A)(vii)]38TransportationProvided to and from the School of OriginIf feasible (in the best interest of the student)At request of parent/guardian/youth

Local educational agencies (LEAs) must provide students experiencing homelessness with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a parents or guardians request. [722(g)(1)(J)(iii)]

Note: Charters have School of Origin responsibilities, but are not reimbursed for transportation miles.

39TransportationSchool of Origin & School of Residency are dually responsible.

If the homeless child's or youth's living arrangements in the area served by the local educational agency of origin terminate and the child or youth, though continuing his or her education in the school of origin, begins living in an area served by another local educational agency, the local educational agency of origin and the local educational agency in which the homeless child or youth is living shall agree upon a method to apportion the responsibility and costs for providing the child with transportation to and from the school of origin. If the local educational agencies are unable to agree upon such method, the responsibility and costs for transportation shall be shared equally.

[722(g)(1)(J)(iii)(II)]40Let the participants read the law citation. TransportationThe method of transportation is an LEA decision, but it must be appropriate for the student and family.School busSmaller school busPublic bus passes or tokensReimburse parent for mileageActivity vansTaxi serviceVan service

41Refer to feasibility criteria. Talk Up Reimbursement to Parents, if Feasible. Accountability

42Accountability MonitoringADE NCLB 6-Year Compliance MONITORING

Cycle 1: Homeless PolicyImmediate enrollment, remove barriersTransportation to/from School of OriginNon-segregation, non-stigmatization

Cycle 4:Liaison designated and reported to ADEPublic Notice provided Title I services providedAll levels of staff trained on requirements of HCYReferrals made to appropriate agencies for preschool, medical, dental, etc.Dispute Resolution Process43Contact Information

44Contact InformationJennifer MoralesMUSD NCLB Coordinatorjmorales@morenci.k12.az.us

Frank MigaliState Coordinator for Homeless and Refugee Education1535 W. Jefferson, Bin #14Phoenix, AZ 85007(602) 542-4963frank.migali@azed.gov

Arizona Department of Education Websitehttp://www.ade.az.gov/schooleffectiveness/specialpops/homeless/

Law & GuidanceDispute Resolution ProcessDatabase of Local LiaisonsPower Point Presentation

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