Orange County Public Schools

An Overview of Student Homelessness

September 25, 2015

Christina M. Savino Program Specialist, Homeless Education

Orange County Public Schools

Our Vision

Our Mission

To be the top producer of successful students in the nation

To lead our students to success with the support and involvement of families and the community

Orange County Public Schools

Protects the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness • Federal law • First enacted in 1987 • Reauthorized in 2001 as part of the No Child Left Behind

(NCLB) Act.

The McKinney-Vento Act

Orange County Public Schools

Housing Categories • Emergency shelters/transitional housing

• Sharing housing due to loss of housing/economic hardship

• Cars, parks, public spaces, bus or train stations

• Motel, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds

• Awaiting foster care placement

All students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence

Who is covered under the Act?

Orange County Public Schools

District Profile

The Orange County Public school system is the 10th largest in the nation and is the fourth largest in Florida.

Orange County Public Schools

2014-2015 OCPS Homeless Nighttime Residences

Shared Housing - 4741

Shelter - 414

Car/Park - 64

Motel - 1542

Awaiting Foster Care - 39

Car/Park 1%

Shared Housing

70%

Hotel 23%

Shelter 6%

Awaiting Foster

Care < 1%

* 290 of these students were unaccompanied without a parent or legal guardian

Total: 6,800

Orange County Public Schools

0500

1,0001,5002,0002,5003,0003,5004,0004,5005,0005,5006,0006,5007,0007,500

10-'11 11 - '12 12-'13 13- '14

OCPS Homeless Student Trend Data

# of Homeless3887

4844

7234

6736

‘10-’11 ‘11-’12 ‘12-’13 ’13-’14 ‘14-’15

6800

Orange County Public Schools

Impact on Education • Increased absenteeism

• Lower achievement scores on standardized tests

• Increased grade retention

• 4-6 months estimated academic recovery time after changing schools

• Mobility during high school greatly diminishes the likelihood of graduation

Orange County Public Schools

Title I and Title X funding assist with:

• Identification • Enrollment/school stability • Coordination of transportation to school

With temporary bus pass/gas card assistance

• Free school meals • Access to educational services and referrals to outside

services

What services are provided?

Orange County Public Schools

• Student involvement in school and school activities Backpacks

School supplies

Field trip fees

Other school/school activity related fees

• Emergency basic school needs Hygiene kits

Clothing

Eyeglasses

Services continued…

Orange County Public Schools

• Attendance incentives for 11th & 12th grade unaccompanied youth

• Access to Higher Education

• Coordination of supportive efforts as provided by the community 60+ school-based food pantries

New clothing

Holiday assistance

Summer programing

Services continued…

Orange County Public Schools

What we’re all about . . .

“…Through it all, school is probably the only thing that has kept me going. I

know that every day that I walk in those doors, I can stop thinking about my

problems for the next six hours and concentrate on what is most important

to me. Without the support of my school system, I would not be as well off

as I am today. School keeps me motivated to move on, and encourages me

to find a better life for myself.”

Carrie Arnold, LeTendre Scholar