Local Educational Agency and Homeless Liaison Responsibilities

Jonathan M. Bolding McKinney-Vento & Neglected/Delinquent Programs Coordinator Office of Consolidated Planning & Monitoring (615)

Agenda

I.Overview II.LEA Requirements in the McKinney-Vento Act III.LEA Requirements for State Plan IV.Standards for Quality McKinney-Vento Programs V.Homeless Liaison Responsibilities VI.Becoming Familiar with the Liaison Role VII.Quick Guide to Important Sections VIII.Understanding the Homeless Education Program IX.Key Role Groups and Agencies to Contact X.Key Documents to Keep on Hand XI.Additional Resources Session Agenda 4

 Local educational agencies (LEAs) are instrumental in ensuring the rights and services guaranteed in the McKinney-Vento Act are implemented throughout the school district.  All LEAs must follow the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Act, whether or not they have a McKinney-Vento subgrant. Overview 5

LEA Requirements in the McKinney-Vento Act

 LEAs must: –designate a staff person as the local homeless liaison to carry out the duties described in the McKinney-Vento Act; –continue the student’s education in the school of origin or local public school that other students living in the area are eligible to attend; and –make school placement decisions based on the best interest of the child or youth. LEA Requirements in the McKinney- Vento Act 7

 Best interest provisions require LEAs to: –keep a homeless child or youth in the school of origin, when feasible, except when the student’s parent or guardian do not wish to do so; –provide a written explanation, including statement regarding right to appeal, to the parent or guardian of a homeless student or unaccompanied homeless youth, if the LEA sends the child to a school other than the one requested; and –ensure in the case of an unaccompanied homeless youth, that the local liaison assists in the placement or enrollment decisions and considers the views of the youth. LEA Requirements in the McKinney- Vento Act 8

 Regarding enrollment and records, LEAs must: –immediately enroll the child or youth, even without records that are normally required; –contact the school previously attended for relevant records; –assist with obtaining immunizations or immunization records; and –make records available in a timely fashion when the child or youth enrolls in a new school or LEA. LEA Requirements in the McKinney- Vento Act 9

 To mediate enrollment disputes, LEAs must: –enroll the child or youth in the school in which enrollment is sought (provided it is the school of origin or the zoned school of the attendance area in which the student currently lives); –refer the child, youth, parent, or guardian to the local homeless liaison to carry out the dispute resolution process; and –ensure that the homeless liaison assists an unaccompanied youth during the dispute process. LEA Requirements in the McKinney- Vento Act 10

 Comparable service provisions require LEAs to provide services comparable to those received by non-homeless students.  Coordination provisions require LEAs to coordinate with local service and housing agencies. LEA Requirements in the McKinney- Vento Act 11

LEA Requirements in the State Plan

 States may have additional policies related to the education of homeless children and youth that LEAs are responsible for implementing.  Every state educational agency (SEA) is required to have a state plan that includes further LEA responsibilities that the state enforces. LEA Requirements in State Plan 13

 The state plan must specify that LEAs ensure: –homeless children and youth are provided opportunities to meet the same state academic achievement standards as all other students; –homeless students are identified and their special needs assessed; –disputes are resolved promptly; –activities take place to heighten the awareness of school personnel of runaway and homeless youths; and –homeless children and youth participate in nutrition programs. LEA Requirements in State Plan 14

 Additionally, LEAs must ensure that: –homeless children have access to the same public preschool programs as all children; –homeless youth, both enrolled and not currently enrolled in public schools, are identified and provided equal access to appropriate secondary education and support services; and –eligible homeless children and youth have opportunities to participate in before- and after-school care programs. LEA Requirements in State Plan 15

 Moreover, LEAs must ensure that: –enrollment delays caused by immunization and medical records requirements, residency requirements, birth certificates or other records requirements, guardianship issues, or uniform or dress cord requirements are eliminated; –the SEA and LEAs will develop, review, and revise policies to remove barriers to the enrollment of homeless children and youth; –homeless children are not segregated or stigmatized; and –local homeless liaisons are appointed in every school district. LEA Requirements in State Plan 16

 Finally, LEAs must ensure that: –transportation is provided to and from the school of origin, at the request of a parent or guardian (or the homeless liaison in the case of an unaccompanied homeless youth); and –data is submitted on their homeless students to the SEA on an annual basis for the Consolidated State Performance Report. LEA Requirements in State Plan 17

 Immunization Report (due before June 1 in ePlan ) T.C.A. § (g) The commissioner of education must report annually the number of homeless children who enrolled in public schools without immunization or proof of immunization and the average length of time required for these children to be immunized or to obtain immunization records. * Also, state law requires that students without immunizations not count towards funding based on average daily attendance.  Reporting Student Counts & Classifications Verify and enter nighttime residence code (1-4) Check LEA list against EIS list LEA Reporting Responsibilities 18

There are several fields in local SMS that must be input with valid values in order for homeless students to be officially and correctly reported: 1.Homeless (if student is homeless): should be Y or N 2.Homeless Nighttime Residence Codes: (do not use 0 or 00) 01 = Shelters, transitional housing, awaiting foster care 02 = Doubled up (living with another person or family) 03 = Unsheltered (cars, parks, abandoned building, campgrounds, trailer) 04 = Hotels/motels 3.Unaccompanied Homeless: Y or N 4.Homeless McKinney-Vento: Y or N (only Y for LEAs with grants) Ensure Accurate Reporting 19

Standards for Quality McKinney- Vento Programs

 U.S. Department of Education’s standards and indicators for quality McKinney-Vento Programs: –All homeless students identified and enrolled at the time of the state assessment take the state assessment required for their grade levels. –All homeless students demonstrate academic progress. –Within one day of an attempt to enroll in school, homeless students are in attendance. –All homeless students experience stability in school. –All preschool-aged homeless children enroll in and attend preschool programs. Standards for Quality McKinney-Vento Programs 21

 U.S. Department of Education’s standards and indicators for quality McKinney-Vento Programs: –All homeless unaccompanied youth enroll in and attend school. –All parents (or persons acting as guardians) of homeless children and youth are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided meaningful opportunities to participate in their children’s education. –LEAs help with the needs of all homeless children and youth through collaborative efforts both within and beyond the LEA. Standards for Quality McKinney-Vento Programs 22

Homeless Liaisons Responsibilities

 The local LEA homeless liaison is key to ensuring homeless children and youth receive the services they need.  A liaison is required in all LEAs, regardless of subgrant status.  The liaison is the primary contact between homeless families, schools, LEA staff, shelter workers, and other service providers. Homeless Liaison Responsibilities 24

 The McKinney-Vento Act states local liaisons will ensure that: –homeless children and youth are identified by school personnel through coordination with other agencies; –homeless children and youth enroll in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school; and –homeless children, and youth receive educational services for which they are eligible, including Head Start programs and preschool programs administered by the LEA, as well as referrals to health care, dental, mental health, and other appropriate services. Homeless Liaison Responsibilities 25

 Additionally, the homeless liaisons will ensure that: –the parents or guardians of homeless children and youth are informed of educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children; and –public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youth is disseminated where they receive services, such as schools, family shelters, and soup kitchens. Homeless Liaison Responsibilities 26

 Finally, the homeless liaisons will ensure that: –enrollment disputes are mediated according to local, state, and federal policies; and –the parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth, and any unaccompanied youth, are fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin. Homeless Liaison Responsibilities 27

 The Non-Regulatory Guidance (Ed, 2004) lists the following activities that liaisons must conduct in carrying out their responsibilities: –assist homeless children and youth with enrolling in school and accessing school services; –help homeless children and youth obtain immunization or medical records; and –inform parents, school personnel, and others of the rights of homeless children and youth. Homeless Liaison Responsibilities 28

 Finally, the guidance notes that homeless liaisons will: –work with school staff to make sure that homeless children and youth are immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of disputes that might arise over school enrollment or placement; –help to coordinate transportation services for homeless children and youth; and –collaborate and coordinate with the state coordinator and with community and school personnel responsible for providing education and related support services to homeless children and youth. Homeless Liaison Responsibilities 29

Becoming Familiar with the Liaison Role 30

 Over time, the liaison’s responsibilities should be revised to reflect the following: –the number of children and youth identified, –trends in poverty and homelessness, –the amount of support from community agencies and other entities serving homeless children and youth, –the level of awareness of homeless student needs and related legal requirements in both the schools and communities, and –the level of implementation that has occurred in the LEA. Becoming Familiar with the Liaison Role 31

Quick Guide to Important Sections 32

 Local liaisons should be familiar with the exact language of the McKinney-Vento Act. While the law may not be easy reading, having certain sections committed to memory, or at least at your fingertips, will assist you with addressing the complexities regarding implementation when questions arise.  You may access a quick guide to important sections of the McKinney- Vento Act here.here Quick Guide to Important Sections 33

Understanding the Homeless Education Program in my LEA 34

Understanding the Homeless Education Program 35

Understanding the Homeless Education Program 36

Understanding the Homeless Education Program 37

 You may not be able to find answers to all the previous questions immediately. Nevertheless, whatever information you do find will help orient you to the role of the local homeless liaison. Moreover, these questions will guide you in: –keeping abreast of challenges, processes, and procedures related to serving homeless children and youth; –fostering conversations with others involved in serving homeless children and youth in the LEA and community; and –establishing files with information that can be passed along to a liaison who might succeed in the position or other staff members who support the program. Understanding the Homeless Education Program 38

Key Role Groups and Agencies to Contact

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Key Role Groups and Agencies to Contact 41

Key Role Groups and Agencies to Contact 42

Key Documents to Keep on Hand

 As the primary person responsible for ensuring the LEA fully implements the McKinney-Vento Act, homeless liaisons must field questions from: –parents, –school staff, –community partners, and –members of the media.  Liaisons must also provide training in both the LEA and community. Key Documents to Keep on Hand 44

 In order to quickly and accurately answer questions, liaisons should keep information readily available in either electronic or hard copy files.  This practice also facilitates consistent answers to questions and reducing the likelihood of mistakes during extremely busy times. Key Documents to Keep on Hand 45

 The following documents and information are particularly useful to keep on hand: –McKinney-Vento Act –2014 Education for Homeless Children –Youth Non-Regulatory Guidance published by ED –Issue briefs by NCHE entitled Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services Under the McKinney-Vento Act and Guiding the Discussion on School Selection –LEA and SEA dispute resolution policies –LEA policies related to the enrollment and education of homeless children and youth Key Documents to Keep on Hand 46

 Additionally, the following other documents and information are useful to keep on hand: –Memoranda and communications from the state coordinator –A copy of the LEA’s McKinney-Vento subgrant proposal –Homeless education program and monitoring reports –Barrier tracking logs (phone and ) –LEA Consolidated State Performance Report and related data –Community contacts for homeless families Key Documents to Keep on Hand 47

Additional Resources 48

 The McKinney-Vento Act The McKinney-Vento Act  Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program Non-Regulatory Guidance Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program Non-Regulatory Guidance  Standards and Indicators for Quality McKinney-Vento Programs Standards and Indicators for Quality McKinney-Vento Programs  Issue Brief: Local Homeless Education Liaisons Issue Brief: Local Homeless Education Liaisons  Issue Brief: Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services under the McKinney-Vento Act Issue Brief: Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services under the McKinney-Vento Act  Issue Brief: Guiding the Discussion on School Selection Issue Brief: Guiding the Discussion on School Selection  National Center for Homeless Education National Center for Homeless Education  National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Additional Resources 49

Questions 50

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