homeless outreach program for education a place called hope high school resource center title i hope...
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HOMELESS OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION
A PLACE CALLED HOPE HIGH SCHOOL RESOURCE CENTER
Title I HOPE
Clark County School DistrictLas Vegas, Nevada
2011-2012
Never deprive someone of hope. It may be all they have.
-H. Jackson Brown Jr.
How big is the Clark County School District?
The Clark County School District
covers 7,200 square miles. The District is a county school
district as opposed to a city school
district.
217 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS59 MIDDLE SCHOOLS
49 HIGH SCHOOLS24 ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS
8 SPECIAL SCHOOLSTOTAL ENROLLMENT IS
APPROXIMATELY304,632 STUDENTS
The Clark County School Districthas 357 schools in Las Vegas,
Nevada
Dee FiteProject Facilitator
Susan GoldmanProject Facilitator
Jura LeakProject Facilitator
• Title I HOPE Advocate is assigned by the principal at each school site
• Clerk, FASA or counselor at elementary level
• MS/HS often assign a counselor as the advocate
• We receive information about enrollment of homeless students on a daily basis
• This ensures that our students receive free breakfast/lunch and a
backpack and school supplies
Kelly-Jo ShebeckProject Facilitator
Estela DaleySecretary II
Support Staff:
Title I Sue Steaffens, Director II
Sara DuncanProject Facilitator
Title I HOPEHomeless Outreach Program for Education
Myra Berkovits, Coordinator
66 schoolsAida Dominguez
Student Success AdvocateOperation School Bell
Juan AriasUtility Worker
School Year 2011-2012
Title I Patricia Saas, Director I
82 schools 64 schools 67 schools 68 schools
The McKinney Vento Act defines children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence as
homeless.
6,063 students during the 2010-2011 school year
Homeless Students by Level
High School 1,534
Middle School 1,212
Elementary School 3,317
Total as of June, 2011 6,063
Graduation Rate 2010-2011
The Clark County School District identified 468 high school seniors as homeless
344 homeless high school seniors were part of the 2010-2011 graduating class
That is a graduation rate of 74%
Unaccompanied Youth
The definition of homeless children and youth includes “unaccompanied youth.”
An unaccompanied youth is a student not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.
180 unaccompanied youth were identifiedduring the 2010-2011 school year
Caregiver Authorization
Form
Approved by the Clark County School District Legal
Department
Framed Residency Poster for counter
Parental Rights Wall Posters
Title I HOPE Pamphlets
How did A Place Called HOPE begin?
Part of our duties as Project Facilitators were to spend four hours a week in direct contact with Title I HOPE students
Homeless high school students needed extra support
We presented the idea to the Director of Title I
Our first room began with used furniture and $200
The room was supplied with food through a district-wide drive
How do we determine if a high school needs A Place Called HOPE?
1. Does a high school have a high number of homeless students?
2. Are the students in need of services not available through the school?
3. Does the school have excellent administrative
support?4. Are counselors and/or teachers interested in
working in the room?
Middle/High School Service Assessment
In order to receive gift cards and other services, counselors must complete and submit electronically.
Who can work at A Place Called HOPE?
Counselors and/or teachers Through an interview process, we look for
staff who have: an area of expertise a natural connection to students ideas on the ways to engage students in activities an ability to mentor students on life skills enthusiasm and flexibility the ability to be a self-starter and model for students creative ideas good organizational skills
Possible Interview Questions
What have been your interactions with children of poverty?
Are you involved in any other after-school activities that would interfere with working in the room?
What are some strategies you use to engage students in activities in your classroom?
What are some ideas you might have regarding the needs and support of homeless students in the room?
Describe what a service learning project would look like and how you would help students attain that goal?
How would you ensure that the room stay neat and clean?
Design of the Room
Made it comfortable and a place that feels like a home
Colorful and cheerfulComputers with
online access
Table for projects
Reading areaFood prep area with
microwave
Food and Toiletry Storage
Open House
Send out invitations to:
•Teachers/Staff
•District employees
•Students
Parents are not allowed to visit the room for confidentiality reasons.
Tracking Attendance
Data Tracking
a place called a place called HHOPE OPE Dream…Desire…Achieve
A Title I HOPE High School Center
Counseling activities Service learning projects Assistance with college loan applications Assistance with scholarship applications Career and Job Opportunities Food, clothing, toiletries Resume building Bus passes Library Online computer access A place to relaxOne-on-one tutoring
NEVADA PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS YOUTHJOB CORP
NEVADA JOB CONNECTMANPOWER
NET SMARTS WHY TRY? CHARACTER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Guest Speakers and Activities
Manpower Collaboration 2010-2011
Manpower and Title I HOPE have formed a collaboration to benefit 18 high school students living in transition. The
Manpower Working for Independence Program provided students with interview skills, resume writing, tips on
completing job applications, career counseling, and mentoring.
One-on-One Tutoring 2011-2012
88 students are participating in the fall session
18 of those students are in high school
Assist with proficiency testing, improving grades, and offering incentives to attend
Joseph M. Vassallo
Scholarship
Monetary donations are set aside to provide a scholarship for tuition and/or books for a 12th grade student who would like to go to college or a vocational school in Nevada.
Last year, we awarded 5 scholarships for books.
Summer School Tuition Grant
Who has donated to our rooms?
ChurchesSynagoguesQuilting GroupsEagle ScoutsAssist TeensNevada State Unemployment OfficesCommunity OrganizationsGoodwill Industries MilitaryFamily and FriendsCCSD employees
Ideas for Donations and Drives
Miracle Minute Flyer to send out to community organizations
Gift of HOPE
Food/Toiletry Drive
Grade Level Drive
Stuff a Stocking
Title I HOPE Newsletter
Day of Service Donation for Winter Items 2011-2012
Celebrations and Activities
Birthdays
Halloween projects
Thanksgiving
Christmas
Graduation
Thanksgiving Dinner 2010
Christmas Dinner and Gifts for Students 2010
Voices of HOPE
“The room has really helped me by providing and supplying things that I need. Even while living with my grandfather I still lacked many things. This room has helped me enormously. I’m really thankful for the support of the room and the people in it.”
-12th grade student, A Place Called HOPE
“The Title I HOPE room has done a lot for my family. My mother is always depressed about how she can’t buy me and my sister new clothes and food in the house. The HOPE program gave us gift cards for new pants and shirts and gives out food every Friday. This helps my mom to focus more on work. So I thank Title I ‘cause without them my mom would still be losing sleep on where our next meal was coming from.”
-12th grade student, A Place Called HOPE
“I love this room. I have met a whole lot of cool and interesting people. They have helped my family out a lot. Me and my sister and mom are very grateful for the HOPE program. They have given us food, clothes and also presents. We have fun in here everyday. Thank you for having faith in us kids.”
-16 year old, A Place Called HOPE “This room has helped me find some new friends and help when needed. HOPE has helped me make it to work on time and have great confidence on the go.”
-11th grade student, A Place Called HOPE
Title I HOPEClark County School District
Las Vegas, Nevada
Title I HOPE (702) 855-6682
Jura Leak, Project Facilitator
Dee Fite, Project Facilitator