CESA 10 October 27, 2010

There is no homelessness in our town…

1/10th of nation’s homeless are in rural settings

Single Caucasian mothers Families in poverty Persons with poor credit/job history Migrant workers Persons with criminal records At-risk teenagers Undocumented persons

But we don’t have homeless shelters…

Living with another family (doubling-up) Living in their car Living in a camper/tent Living in substandard housing Living where an economy is declining Living in inexpensive motels Living in a non-residence shelter (barn, pole

shed, etc.)

We have so few homeless, why should we identify?

A typical homeless student can lose half a year’s worth of learning when transferring schools.

Students identified as homeless qualify for the Free Meal Program for entire school year.

Quite easy to fulfill needs and makes a huge impact on students and families

Nurtures and enhances school-community relationships

What is the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act?

Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act (1987)◦ Representative Stewart B. McKinney (R-CT) (1931-

1987)◦ Representative Bruce F. Vento (D-MN) (1940-

2000) January 2002 Reauthorization – The

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act)

Immediate Enrollment without paperwork School Selection (school of origin or area) Transportation to school of origin Comparable educational opportunities and

services Prohibition of segregation Public posting of rights

Anyone who lacks a ‘fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence.’◦ Doubled-up with family or friends◦ Emergency or Transitional Shelters◦ Motels or hotels◦ Campgrounds◦ Cars◦ Public or Private places not designed for living◦ Outside (parks), unsheltered, under structures◦ Substandard housing◦ Children awaiting permanent foster care

Unaccompanied Youth◦ Attending school, but not in the physical custody

of parent or guardian Thrown out Run away Abandoned

But we have very little time or staff to keep track of these students and their needs.

Referrals and connections Transportation assistance School supplies Clothing Food One advocate solely focused on their needs

while they are in this difficult situation.

So how can we keep track of them simply?

Inform and Educate staff on what may be a homeless situation and who to call

Disperse referral forms to school secretaries, social workers, nurses, etc.

Make a list of all community resources (both within your community and communities nearby)

Make connections with volunteer citizens Buy a crate, file folders, and paper District Liaison may delegate responsibility

But we have no resources in our community….

Connect with churches for volunteers Run a food drive through your school and

stock a small amount for needy families Collect clothing donations and store Make connections with volunteer citizens Find volunteers and donations through PTA Connect with your closest funded school

district

1. Identify a Homeless Liaison◦ Provide his/her contact information to district and

community staff through a staff meeting, phone call, email, website and/or district newsletter. Sample article http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/index.php?Prog=SDocument&Task=Init&ID=21

◦ Display an educational rights poster in each school building

◦ Complete PI-Q03-8 Local Use Form Homeless Student Identification for each homeless student

◦ Ensure that homeless preschool children are identified

Identify a Homeless Liaison continued◦ Assist unaccompanied youth to

Sign up for Badger Care (access.com) Apply for food stamps Discuss post-secondary plans and assist student to

complete a FAFSA form

2. Provide inservice training for all district staff involved that includes:

 ◦ developing an understanding of the definition of

homeless◦ informing families of the educational rights of

homeless◦ maintaining confidentiality◦ identifying the procedure to refer homeless

families to the liaison

3. Inform homeless families and youth about their educational rights including the right to:

◦ continue to go to the school they were attending prior to becoming homeless, if that is their preference and it is feasible

◦ receive transportation to go to the school they were attending prior to becoming homeless, if requested

◦ enroll in and attend school without having a permanent address or available medical or educational records

3. Inform homeless families and youth about their educational rights including the right to:

 ◦ enroll preschool children in district preschool programs◦ receive the same access to programs and services as

all other children, including transportation◦ receive information from the school for help in getting

food, clothing, and school supplies◦ receive free lunch, books and supplies, Title I services,

course fees

 

4. Provide homeless families and youth with a list of community agencies that provide services related to: ◦ Clothing◦ Food◦ Transportation◦ Housing support◦ Employment◦ Counseling◦ Health Services

5. Review district policies and procedures including: 

DPI guidance on pupil records at http://dpi.wi.gov/homeless/forms.html

Complaint procedures Policies and procedures to ensure the removal of

academic barriers including◦ -lack of transportation◦ -inability to pay for books, school supplies, eye glasses,

program apparel, etc. -policies requiring district residency

 

A married couple divorces and one of the parents moves in with their parents, along with her/his children, until the parent can find work and an apartment. Homeless???

Although the parent is looking for employment and low-income housing, a year has gone by and the parent still has not been able to find a job that pays enough to allow the family to move into their own apartment. Homeless???

Your son has asked if his buddy can stay a few nights at your house. You discover that your son’s friend has not been home for several weeks due to “family difficulties.” Homeless?

A family was evicted from their housing and is living doubled-up with relatives in the next school district.

A family was evicted from their housing and is living doubled-up with relatives in the next school district. The kids attended School District A and due to displacement are now living in School District B. The family wants the the students to remain in School District A. The family plans to move back to their original district once they can save enough money to afford the security deposit and rent. There are three children in the family: a 5th grader, 3rd grader and preschooler.

Homeless? What are the district’s transportation responsibilities?

McKinney-Vento Checklist (PI-QO6-01)

http://dpi.wi.gov/homeless/forms.html

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)

Barbara Duffield, Policy Director, bduffield@naehcy.orgwww.naehcy.org Ph: 202-364-7392

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)Diana Bowman, Director, dbowman@serve.org

www.serve.org/nche Ph: 336-315-7453

National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP)Joy Moses, Education Staff Attorney, jmoses@nlchp.org

www.nlchp.org Ph: 202-638-2535

U.S. Department of EducationGary Rutkin, Coordinator, Education for Homeless Children and

Youth Program, Gary.Rutkin@ed.govwww.ed.gov/programs/homeless/index.html Ph: 202-260-4412

Wisconsin Department of Public InstructionMary Maronek, State Education of Homeless Children & Youth

Coordinator, mary.maronek@dpi.wi.govhttp://dpi.wi.gov/homeless/ Ph: 608-261-6322

CESA 10Nancy Forseth, ESEA Coordinator, forseth@cesa10.k12.wi.us

http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/index.php?Prog=SDocument&Task=Init&ID=21

Ph: 715-720-2045