Plan for Homeless Children Plan for Homeless Children and Youthsand Youths

Title I and McKinney-Vento Title I and McKinney-Vento Provisions within NISDProvisions within NISD

Definition of HomelessDefinition of Homeless

According to the U.S. Department of Education, people living in the According to the U.S. Department of Education, people living in the following situations are considered homeless: following situations are considered homeless:

Doubled up with family or friends due to economic conditions Doubled up with family or friends due to economic conditions Living in motels and hotels for lack of other suitable housing Living in motels and hotels for lack of other suitable housing Runaway and "Throwaway" children and youth Runaway and "Throwaway" children and youth Homes for unwed or expectant mothers for lack of a place to live Homes for unwed or expectant mothers for lack of a place to live Homeless and domestic violence shelters Homeless and domestic violence shelters Transitional housing programs Transitional housing programs The streets The streets Abandoned buildings Abandoned buildings Public places not meant for housing Public places not meant for housing Cars, trailers, and campgrounds Cars, trailers, and campgrounds Awaiting fostercareAwaiting fostercare Migratory children staying in housing not fit for habitation Migratory children staying in housing not fit for habitation Unaccompanied youthUnaccompanied youth

Homeless Unaccompanied YouthHomeless Unaccompanied Youth

Definition: youth who meets the definition of Definition: youth who meets the definition of homeless and is not in the physical custody of a homeless and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardianparent or guardian

Liaisons must help unaccompanied youth Liaisons must help unaccompanied youth choose and enroll in a school, after considering choose and enroll in a school, after considering the youth’s wishes, and inform the youth of his the youth’s wishes, and inform the youth of his or her appeal rightsor her appeal rights

School personnel must be made aware of the School personnel must be made aware of the specific needs of runaway and homeless youth.specific needs of runaway and homeless youth.

Responsibilities of CampusResponsibilities of Campus Every LEA must designate a liaison for students in Every LEA must designate a liaison for students in

homeless situationshomeless situations

Responsibilities:Responsibilities: Ensure children and youth in homeless situations are identifiedEnsure children and youth in homeless situations are identified Ensure homeless students enroll in and have full and equal Ensure homeless students enroll in and have full and equal

opportunity to succeed in schoolopportunity to succeed in school Link with educational services, including preschool and health Link with educational services, including preschool and health

servicesservices Inform parents, guardians, or youth of educational and parent Inform parents, guardians, or youth of educational and parent

involvement opportunitiesinvolvement opportunities Post public notice of educational rightsPost public notice of educational rights Resolve disputesResolve disputes Inform parents, guardians, or youth or transportation services, Inform parents, guardians, or youth or transportation services,

including to the school of originincluding to the school of origin

The Texas Education Code The Texas Education Code §25.001(b)(5)

Admit students that are homeless, Admit students that are homeless, regardless of the residence of the regardless of the residence of the student, student, of either parent of the student, or of either parent of the student, or of the of the student's guardian or other person student's guardian or other person having having lawful control of the person....lawful control of the person....

The Texas Education Code The Texas Education Code §25.001(d)

For a person under the age of 18 For a person under the age of 18 years to years to establish a separate residence for establish a separate residence for the the purpose of attending the public purpose of attending the public schools, theschools, the person's presence in the school person's presence in the school district must not be for the primary district must not be for the primary purpose of purpose of participation in extra-curricular participation in extra-curricular activitiesactivities..

Federal StatuteFederal Statute

Title X of NCLB

The McKinney-VentoThe McKinney-VentoHomeless Assistance Act Homeless Assistance Act (Federal Statute(Federal Statute Title X of NCLB)

defines and protects the rights of defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our attend, and succeed in our public schoolspublic schools

The McKinney-Vento Act The McKinney-Vento Act mandates that . . .mandates that . . .

every school district isevery school district isrequired to have a homelessrequired to have a homelesseducation liaison, andeducation liaison, and

the liaison is required tothe liaison is required toperform specific tasks.perform specific tasks.

Provisions under the McKinney-Vento Assistance ActProvisions under the McKinney-Vento Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Act provides certain rights for homeless students. They include The McKinney-Vento Act provides certain rights for homeless students. They include waiving certain requirements such as proof of residency when students are enrolling and waiving certain requirements such as proof of residency when students are enrolling and allowing categorical eligibility for certain services, such as free textbooks. The Act also allowing categorical eligibility for certain services, such as free textbooks. The Act also states: states:

Homeless students may attend their school of origin or the school where they are Homeless students may attend their school of origin or the school where they are temporarily residing. temporarily residing.

Homeless students must be provided a written statement of their rights when they Homeless students must be provided a written statement of their rights when they enroll and at least two times per year. enroll and at least two times per year.

Homeless students may enroll without school, medical, or similar records. Homeless students may enroll without school, medical, or similar records. Homeless students have a right to transportation to school. Homeless students have a right to transportation to school. Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service or Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service or

enrollment. enrollment. Students must receive services, such as transportation, while disputes are being Students must receive services, such as transportation, while disputes are being

settled. settled. Students are automatically eligible for Title I services. Students are automatically eligible for Title I services. School districts must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students. School districts must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students. School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless

students. students. Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless

students, in schools and other places that homeless families may frequent. students, in schools and other places that homeless families may frequent. School districts must identify a McKinney-Vento Liaison to assist students. School districts must identify a McKinney-Vento Liaison to assist students.

Key Provisions of Law Address Key Provisions of Law Address

Educational ChallengesEducational Challenges

Immediate Enrollment

School Selection

Transportation

Services

Dispute Resolution

Free Lunch

AwarenessAwareness

Immediate EnrollmentImmediate Enrollment

Children and youth in homeless situations can Children and youth in homeless situations can stay in their school of origin (to the extent stay in their school of origin (to the extent feasible) or enroll in any public school that feasible) or enroll in any public school that students living in the same attendance area are students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attendeligible to attend

The terms “enroll” and “enrollment” include The terms “enroll” and “enrollment” include attending classes and participating fully in attending classes and participating fully in school activitiesschool activities

Immediate EnrollmentImmediate Enrollment

Children and youth have the right to enroll in Children and youth have the right to enroll in school immediately, even if they do not have school immediately, even if they do not have required documents, such a school records, required documents, such a school records, medical records, proof of residency, or other medical records, proof of residency, or other documentsdocuments

If a student does not have immunizations, or If a student does not have immunizations, or immunization or medical records, the liaison immunization or medical records, the liaison must immediately assist in obtaining them, and must immediately assist in obtaining them, and the student must be enrolled in the interimthe student must be enrolled in the interim

Immediate EnrollmentImmediate Enrollment

Enrolling schools must obtain school records from Enrolling schools must obtain school records from the previous school, and students must be enrolled the previous school, and students must be enrolled in school while records are obtainedin school while records are obtained

Schools must maintain records for students who are Schools must maintain records for students who are homeless so they are available quicklyhomeless so they are available quickly

Federal law supercedes state and local laws where Federal law supercedes state and local laws where there is a conflict [U.S. Constitution, Article VI]there is a conflict [U.S. Constitution, Article VI]

SEAs and LEAs must develop, review, and revise SEAs and LEAs must develop, review, and revise policies to remove barriers to the enrollment and policies to remove barriers to the enrollment and retention of children and youth in homeless retention of children and youth in homeless situationssituations

Barriers to EnrollmentBarriers to Enrollment Lack of transportation to or from temporary Lack of transportation to or from temporary

housinghousing Lack of immunization and medical recordsLack of immunization and medical records Lack of school recordsLack of school records State guardianship/residency requirements not State guardianship/residency requirements not

uniformly interpreted by schooluniformly interpreted by school Lack of birth certificatesLack of birth certificates Attendance policiesAttendance policies Secondary school credit accrual Secondary school credit accrual Legal guardianship requirementsLegal guardianship requirements

Identification StrategiesIdentification Strategies Provide awareness activities for school staff Provide awareness activities for school staff Coordinate with community services and health departmentCoordinate with community services and health department Provide outreach materials and postersProvide outreach materials and posters Educate school staff about “warning signs” that may indicate Educate school staff about “warning signs” that may indicate

an enrolled child or youth may be experiencing homelessnessan enrolled child or youth may be experiencing homelessness Make special effort to identify preschool children, including Make special effort to identify preschool children, including

siblings of school-aged childrensiblings of school-aged children Develop relationships with truancy officials or attendance Develop relationships with truancy officials or attendance

officersofficers Use enrollment and withdraw forms to inquire about living Use enrollment and withdraw forms to inquire about living

situationssituations Have students draw or write about where they liveHave students draw or write about where they live Avoid using the word “homeless” in initial contacts with school Avoid using the word “homeless” in initial contacts with school

personnel, families, or youth personnel, families, or youth

School SelectionSchool Selection Students can stay in their school of origin the entire time Students can stay in their school of origin the entire time

they are homeless, and until the end of any academic they are homeless, and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housingyear in which they move into permanent housing

If a student becomes homeless in between academic If a student becomes homeless in between academic years, he or she may continue in the school of origin for years, he or she may continue in the school of origin for the following academic yearthe following academic year

If a student is sent to a school other than that requestedIf a student is sent to a school other than that requestedby a parent or guardian, the district by a parent or guardian, the district must provide a written explanation must provide a written explanation to the parent or guardian of its to the parent or guardian of its decision and the right to appealdecision and the right to appeal

TransportationTransportation

LEAs must provide students experiencing homelessness LEAs must provide students experiencing homelessness with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a parent’s or guardian’s request (or at the liaisons request parent’s or guardian’s request (or at the liaisons request for unaccompanied youth)for unaccompanied youth)

If the student’s temporary residence and the school of If the student’s temporary residence and the school of origin are in the same LEA, that LEA must provide or origin are in the same LEA, that LEA must provide or arrange transportation; if the student is living outside of arrange transportation; if the student is living outside of the school of origin’s LEA, the LEA where the student is the school of origin’s LEA, the LEA where the student is living and the school of origin’s LEA must determine how living and the school of origin’s LEA must determine how to divide the responsibility and share the cost, or they to divide the responsibility and share the cost, or they must share the cost equallymust share the cost equally

Transportation (cont.)Transportation (cont.)

In addition to providing transportation to the In addition to providing transportation to the school of origin, LEAs must provide students in school of origin, LEAs must provide students in homeless situations with transportation services homeless situations with transportation services comparable to those provided to other studentscomparable to those provided to other students

School districts must eliminate barriers to the School districts must eliminate barriers to the school enrollment and retention of students school enrollment and retention of students experiencing homelessness (including experiencing homelessness (including transportation barriers)transportation barriers)

Access to ServicesAccess to Services

Students who experience homelessness Students who experience homelessness

must have access to educational services for which theymust have access to educational services for which they

are eligible, including special education, programs for are eligible, including special education, programs for English learners, gifted and talented programs, English learners, gifted and talented programs, voc./tech. programs, and school nutrition programsvoc./tech. programs, and school nutrition programs

Undocumented children and youth have the same right Undocumented children and youth have the same right to attend public school as U.S. citizens and are covered to attend public school as U.S. citizens and are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act to the same extent as other by the McKinney-Vento Act to the same extent as other children and youth (Plyler v. Doe)children and youth (Plyler v. Doe)

Access to Services (cont.)Access to Services (cont.)

USDA policy permits liaisons and shelter USDA policy permits liaisons and shelter directors to obtain free school meals for students directors to obtain free school meals for students by providing a list of names of students by providing a list of names of students experiencing homelessness with effective datesexperiencing homelessness with effective dates

The 2004 reauthorization of IDEA includes The 2004 reauthorization of IDEA includes amendments that reinforce timely assessment, amendments that reinforce timely assessment, inclusion, and continuity of services for inclusion, and continuity of services for homeless children and youth who have homeless children and youth who have disabilitiesdisabilities

Free LunchFree LunchImmediate access

Appoint several contacts on eachcampus to notify school nutritionprogram in writing

Homeless liaison can send masterlist on monthly basis

Resolution of DisputesResolution of Disputes

Every state must establish dispute resolution Every state must establish dispute resolution proceduresprocedures

When a dispute over enrollment arises, the When a dispute over enrollment arises, the student must be admitted immediately to the student must be admitted immediately to the school of choice while the dispute is being school of choice while the dispute is being resolvedresolved

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

Resolution of Disputes Resolution of Disputes

Whenever a dispute arises, the parent or Whenever a dispute arises, the parent or guardian must be provided with a written guardian must be provided with a written explanation of the school’s decision, including explanation of the school’s decision, including the right to appealthe right to appeal

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

Documentation should be kept for all local Documentation should be kept for all local liaison interventions with parents—not just liaison interventions with parents—not just formal disputes (NCLB)formal disputes (NCLB)

Unaccompanied Youth -Unaccompanied Youth -StrategiesStrategies

Revise LEA policies to accommodate unaccompanied youth and comply Revise LEA policies to accommodate unaccompanied youth and comply with the McKinney-Vento Actwith the McKinney-Vento Act

Train local liaisons and all school enrollment staff, secretaries, guidance Train local liaisons and all school enrollment staff, secretaries, guidance counselors, principals, and teachers on the definition, rights, and needs of counselors, principals, and teachers on the definition, rights, and needs of unaccompanied youthunaccompanied youth

Develop caretaker forms, self-enrollment forms for unaccompanied youth, Develop caretaker forms, self-enrollment forms for unaccompanied youth, and other forms to replace typical proof of guardianship; such forms and other forms to replace typical proof of guardianship; such forms should be crafted carefully so they do not create further barriers or delay should be crafted carefully so they do not create further barriers or delay enrollmentenrollment

Become familiar with state and local policies related to unaccompanied Become familiar with state and local policies related to unaccompanied youthyouth

Unaccompanied Youth—Unaccompanied Youth—Strategies (cont.) Strategies (cont.)

Coordinate with other agencies to ensure policies do not create Coordinate with other agencies to ensure policies do not create educational barrierseducational barriers

Provide unaccompanied youth the opportunity to enroll in diversified Provide unaccompanied youth the opportunity to enroll in diversified learning opportunities, such as vocational education, credit-for-work learning opportunities, such as vocational education, credit-for-work programs, and flexible school hoursprograms, and flexible school hours

Provide a “safe place” and trained mentor at school for Provide a “safe place” and trained mentor at school for unaccompanied youth to access as neededunaccompanied youth to access as needed

Permit exceptions to school policies on class schedules, tardiness, Permit exceptions to school policies on class schedules, tardiness, absences and credits to accommodate the needs of unaccompanied absences and credits to accommodate the needs of unaccompanied youthyouth

Assist with credit accrual and recoveryAssist with credit accrual and recovery

Preschool—Strategies Preschool—Strategies

Keep slots open for homeless studentsKeep slots open for homeless students Provide awareness training for preschool Provide awareness training for preschool

providersproviders Collaborate with preschools not operated by the Collaborate with preschools not operated by the

LEA or SEA (including Head Start)LEA or SEA (including Head Start) Ask parents about preschool-aged children Ask parents about preschool-aged children

when they enroll their school-aged children in when they enroll their school-aged children in schoolschool

Coordinate with IDEA Child FindCoordinate with IDEA Child Find

AwarenessAwareness

Staff training

Visit homeless students’ living sites

Poverty simulation

Know Your School Know Your School and Communityand Community

Resources

Needs

Human

Fiscal

Physical

Research on School MobilityResearch on School Mobility

Students who switch schools frequently score lower Students who switch schools frequently score lower on standardized tests; study found mobile students on standardized tests; study found mobile students scored 20 points lower than non-mobile studentsscored 20 points lower than non-mobile students

Mobility also hurts non-mobile students; study found Mobility also hurts non-mobile students; study found average test scores for non-mobile students were average test scores for non-mobile students were significantly lower in high schools with high student significantly lower in high schools with high student mobility ratesmobility rates

It takes children an average of 4-6 months to recover It takes children an average of 4-6 months to recover academically after changing schoolsacademically after changing schools

Students suffer psychologically, socially, and Students suffer psychologically, socially, and academically from mobility; mobile students are academically from mobility; mobile students are less likely to participate in extracurricular less likely to participate in extracurricular activities and more likely to act out or get into activities and more likely to act out or get into troubletrouble

Mobility during high school greatly diminishes Mobility during high school greatly diminishes the likelihood of graduation; study found the likelihood of graduation; study found students who changed high schools even once students who changed high schools even once were less than half as likely as stable students to were less than half as likely as stable students to graduate, even controlling for other factorsgraduate, even controlling for other factors

Research onResearch onSchool Mobility (cont.)School Mobility (cont.)

CollaborationCollaboration

Within the district

Businesses

Within the community

Service Providers

Faith-Based Organizations

Parent InvolvementParent Involvement

Homeless parents are interested in their children’s education.

Keep them informed about their child’s progress, needs

Ask how the school can help them

What Schools Can DoWhat Schools Can DoReview district policies, procedures to ensure no barriers exist--make changes as needed to remove barriers

Ensure homeless students have supplies and materials needed to succeed

What Schools Can DoWhat Schools Can DoProvide tutoring, extra assistance if needed

Provide clothing, shoes

Provide fees for field trips, extra-curricular activities

Provide hygiene items

Provide homework support and alternatives

Student SupportStudent Support

Have a staff mentor for every student

Student SupportStudent SupportWatch for isolated, “loner” students

Get them involvedin music, sports,academics

Chess Club

For Questions…please contact:For Questions…please contact:

Gina Lee, M. Ed.Gina Lee, M. Ed.

Student Services CoordinatorStudent Services Coordinator

Northwest ISD Northwest ISD

2001 Texan Drive2001 Texan Drive

Ft. Worth, TX  76177-0070Ft. Worth, TX  76177-0070

817-215-0982817-215-0982

Fax 817-215-0107Fax 817-215-0107

glee@nisdtx.orgglee@nisdtx.org

Resources and ReferencesResources and References NISD Homeless Plan (attachment)NISD Homeless Plan (attachment)

http://staffweb.esc12.net/~mbooth/homeless_education_service/hohttp://staffweb.esc12.net/~mbooth/homeless_education_service/homeless_education_service_homepage.htmmeless_education_service_homepage.htm

http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo/he101/index.phphttp://www.utdanacenter.org/theo/he101/index.php

http://www.ftwha.org/LLWorkshop/Homeless%20Programs.pdfhttp://www.ftwha.org/LLWorkshop/Homeless%20Programs.pdf

http://www.cesa11.k12.wi.us/newsfile13523_1.pdfhttp://www.cesa11.k12.wi.us/newsfile13523_1.pdf

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/homeless.index.htmhttp://www.wrightslaw.com/info/homeless.index.htm