McKinney-Vento: A Key to Success

McKinney-Vento Liaison Training

2013

Agenda

McKinney-Vento Act: How it came to be Who is homeless? McKinney-Vento Act: What it is McKinney-Vento Liaisons Strategies for implementation

Give Credit Where Credit is Due!

This training was developed with the help of: – National Center for Homeless Education

– National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty

– National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth

– National Coalition for the Homeless

– State Coordinators

JadaJada Miller, 8, has just moved in with her grandfather, Ted

Jacobs, because her mother was sentenced to five years in jail and she has no place else to go. Mr. Jacobs is elderly and in poor health and does not believe he can take care of her for very long. Jada sleeps on a cot in his room. Mr. Jacobs met with the school counselor at the local elementary school, to enroll Jada. During the meeting, he told the counselor that he thinks Jada might have a learning disability and that she should be evaluated. The counselor told Mr. Jacobs that he can’t enroll Jada or request special education services, because he’s not her legal guardian.

McKinney-Vento Act

1987: Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act

Reauthorized in 1990 In 1994 placed under IASA 2001: McKinney-Vento Act, NCLB

The Scale of Homelessness

Up to 2 million people will experience homelessness this year

A little over half of the people will be children and youth

The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families

National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty

Impact on Indiana

29,000

Who is Homeless?

An individual who lacks fixed, regular, and adequate, nighttime residence.

Includes: Doubled-up Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or

camp grounds due to lack of other housing Living in emergency or transitional housing

Children in hospitals or other institutions while waiting for foster care or other permanent housing

Living in cars, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing

Migratory children who meet the above criteria

Causes

Major trends– Rising housing costs– Rising poverty rates

McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment

Enroll immediately, even when lacking documentation such as:

Proof of residency Immunizations or medical records Proof of guardianship Birth certificates, school records, or other

similar documents Uniform or dress code requirements

Indiana Law

Immunizations: Indiana Public Health Code requires:– That each school keep immunization records– That children who do not have records be given

a waiver or have a schedule in place to receive immunizations or have a written religious objection

IC 20-34-4-5

Dispute Resolution

No child or youth may be expelled from a public school without due process, including a hearing

Schools have the right to investigate the legal residency of students

The hearing officer must be informed if the student is homeless and of the rights of homeless students

Indiana Compulsory Attendance Law, IC 20-33-2-29

Dispute Resolution cont’d

All suspected homeless children and youth MUST be allowed to attend school until the dispute is settled through due process

If a student is denied enrollment to a school, they must be given a written explanation for the denial. This should also include an explanation of the appeal process

McKinney-Vento Act: School Choice

School of Origin: Where the child last attended when permanently housed

Should attend here if in best interest, feasible

School in current attendance area

McKinney-Vento Act: Attendance & Success

Parental involvement Comparable services Transportation Segregation of homeless students is

prohibited!

McKinney-Vento Liaisons

Review & revise policy Post educational rights Ensure:

– Identification & enrollment– Full & equal access to services– Disclosure of rights to parents and

unaccompanied youth, including the right to transportation

– Mediation of disputes

Warning Signs of Homelessness

Lack of continuity in education Transportation & attendance problems Poor health or nutrition Lack of privacy or personal space after

school Social or behavioral concerns Reactions or statements by child or parent

Strategies for Implementation

Free & reduced price breakfast & lunch programs

Free textbooks Health insurance Title I programs Special Education Gifted Programs

Transportation Before and after

school programs Head Start Even Start

Title I and Homelessness

Title I application must show collaboration with McKinney-Vento Act

Title IA funds must include a set aside amount to serve homeless students

Title I of the ESEA, Sec. 1113(c)(3)(A)

Title I and Homelessness

The set aside funds may be used to:– Coordinate services through a designated person to

make contact with homeless families, youth & service providers

– Provide outreach services

– Provide assistance in non-Title I schools

– Provide early childhood education programs

– Refer students to health services and counseling

– Tutor, provide supplemental instruction or enriched services

– Other assistance as needed

Needs Assessment

Where are the shelters in your community? Are there any?

What organizations in the district can help homeless youth or families?

What issues are unique to your community?

Resources

Michael Williams

McKinney-Vento State Coordinator

Indiana Department of Education

mwilliams@doe.in.gov or (317) 234-4827

National Center for Homeless Education

http://center.serve.org or (800) 308-2145