statewide networks and postsecondary programs monday, october 29, 2012 10:30 – 11:45
TRANSCRIPT
College and Career Readiness Those that find the college access
process smooth usually: 1) know exactly where they want to go 2) know how to get there3) have the resources to pay for it
In which of these categories do homeless students fit?
What are Networks? People and organizations working
together to help homeless students access and complete postsecondary programs
People and organizations that understand how to advocate for populations and how to navigate the system
Why Are They Needed? Current college access and success
information presumes that students have supporting adults and access to resources.
Navigating the transition process into a postsecondary program is complicated and frightening and steers the most highly educated person into a dimension of ignorance.
Postsecondary Institutions
What do they have in common? Entrance requirements? Y/N? Financial aid packages? Y/N? Housing? Y/N? Understanding of homelessness? Y/N? On-campus supports? Y/N? Academic offerings and supports? Y/N? Supportive off-campus communities?
Y/N?
Answers: “No” to all.
Do We Understand Each Other?
Most likely notGrowing need; dwindling resourcesUnclear or nonexistent guidelines that address the issue of homeless educationBottom of the list of priorities for federal, state, and district policy makersMired in bureaucracy, too much work for too few resources, power struggles without focus
What Do Networks Do? Individualize the process Sort through the current policies and
procedures of each campus and identify challenges for homeless students
Address the amount of flexibility a campus will allow to accommodate the needs of homeless students
Inform campus gatekeepers of the needs of homeless students and hope for an understanding
How Are Networks Built? Begins with NAEHCY/NCHE staff and
volunteers identifying key stakeholders in each state; or, can begin with you
Connecting the district liaison, statewide coordinator, and postsecondary contacts
Training higher education staff on homeless issues, challenges faced, McKinney-Vento law, and US Department of Education guidelines
Training liaisons on higher education policy and procedures
Navigation Tool Housing; Financial Aid; Academic Supports;
Tutoring/Mentoring; Emergency Services: Health/Counseling; Other needs
Understanding of homeless issues: Strong Some Possibilities None
Is it a good fit?
Colorado NetworkColorado Network Consists of stakeholders from:
Colorado Department of Education K-12 McKinney-Vento Liaisons Higher Education personnel from
Financial Aid, Admissions, and Student Support Services
•Collaborates to streamline the verification process between K-12 and higher education•Has established Single Points of Contact (SPOCS) in all CO colleges/universities to help eliminate barriers to higher education access
Colorado NetworkColorado Network Barriers addressed included waiving
application fees, deferring housing deposits, and connecting students with community resources
In 2011 the Colorado taskforce along with the nonprofit homeless service provider Family Tree established private funding to assist UHY. SPOCs apply for funding through Family
Tree to provide student IDs, bedding, toiletry items, and other basic needs not covered by other sources
North Carolina NetworkNorth Carolina Network Includes staff from NCHE, NC Homeless
Education Program, K-12, public and private universities, community colleges, RHYA program, NC State Education Assistance Authority, College Foundation of NC, etc. Began with top-level administrators More effective after adding members who
provide direct services Established Single Points of Contact (SPOCS) in
all NC colleges/universities Collaborated on products, publications,
webinars, and conference presentations
North Carolina NetworkNorth Carolina Network Started in midst of recession Budgets for higher ed institutions
devastated Personnel cuts Institutional barriers within systems Not in any organization’s scope of work Legislative change is required to use
standard forms in colleges and universities No champion from higher ed emerged
immediately
Overcoming Network Barriers Getting Started Start time may not be ideal, but keep
up progress Building relationships takes time It’s worth investing the effort to help
everyone understand the issues Choose manageable amount of work Keep momentum going Small steps forward are still progress
NCHE Resources Helpline: 800-308-2145 or
[email protected] Website: http://center.serve.org/nche
Access to Higher Education for Students Experiencing Homelessnesshttp://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php
Scholarshipshttp://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/scholarships.php
Sample Forms and Materialshttp://center.serve.org/nche/forum/higher_ed.php
NAEHCY ResourcesNational Association for the Education of
Homeless Children and Youth:http://www.naehcy.org
NAEHCY Higher Education Helpline1 (855) 446-2673 (toll-free) | [email protected]
FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Youth Without Stable Housing Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access College Financial Aid Brief
http://naehcy.org/tk/cl.htmlUnaccompanied Homeless Youth Toolkits
Additional ResourcesAdditional ResourcesApplication and Verification Guide (AVG) Chapter 5 - Special Cases (p. 99-106) http://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1213AVG.pdf
Recommendations for Transitioning UHY to Higher Education (Colorado)
http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprevention/download/Homeless%20Education%202010/NEW%20CDE%20WEB%20SITE%202010/6%20Higher%20Education/Best%20Practices%20in%20Transitioning%20Homeless%20Youth%20to%20Higher%20Education%20-%206-18-09%20JG.docx
State Resources Arizona College Access Network (AZCAN)
http://www.azcan.gov/FosterYouthHomeless.aspx
Kentucky http://louisville.edu/financialaid/cardinal-covenant.
New Hampshire (www.nhheaf.org) Oklahoma College Assistance Program (OK-
CAN) http://okcollegeaccess.org/ New York Technical Assistance Center
http://www.nysteachs.org/
Contact Us Marcia E. Weston
Membership Support and Program ServicesProject Manager-College and Career Readiness
Cyekeia LeeNational Higher Education Liaison for Homeless
Youth National Association for the Education of
Homeless Children and Youth(P) (734)-258-8175