McKinney-Vento Program Family and Community Engagement “Connecting to 21 st CCLC”

What is McKinney-Vento? The McKinney-Vento law was passed in 1987 in response to homelessness under President Reagan. The term “homeless means children and youth who lack a fixed, regular and night time residence.

All homeless children and youth so that they have equal access to an education School stability Support for academic success so that the student can overcome the obstacles and barriers to an education What is in best interest of the child The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act is to focus on:

Classification of Homelessness Inadequate Housing Student living in a parked car, park, public place, abandoned building, campground or inadequate trailer park Unaccompanied Youth Living on their own without parental or guardian support (Also known as couch- surfers). This includes immigrants coming to the United States without their parents.

Doubled-Up Families and unaccompanied youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reasons Classification of Homelessness Family staying in a hotel or motel Children and youth who are staying in a hotel due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reasons Shelters/Transitional Housing Families living in an emergency or domestic violence shelter, transitional housing or drug rehab facility…

Lack of affordable housing Loss of job Deep poverty Health problems Domestic violence Natural and other disasters Abuse and neglect Generational and Chronic Homelessness Causes of Homelessness

Signs of Homelessness Erratic attendance and tardiness Hygiene issues Lack of cleanliness Hungry (may hoard food) Change in academic performance Fatigue Consistent lack of preparation for school Incomplete or missing school assignments Change of behavior Difficulty socializing Anxiety late in the day Reaction/statements by parent, guardian or the child

USD 259 # of Students Served ,458

Engaging Homeless Parents in the 21 st CCLC After-School Program

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: SHARED RESPONSIBILITY for STUDENT SUCCESS! School Student Success Community Home McKinney Vento Program

McKinney-Vento office provides support to families in transition and offers opportunities for them to become involved in their child’s education. In 2015 we served over 2,458 children 0-21 years of age. We held 104 Parent activities for school-age families and 16 parent and child time for children 0-4. This does not include parent activities that were held at their school.

# of schools Elementary 3 Middle Schools # of homeless students served – 72 students 21 st CCLC Summer Program Targeted # of Students 100 targeted Average 82

Parents who are in transition (Homeless) are often in survival mode and family engagement takes a back seat to their priorities. How can we engage homeless parents and guardians?

Engaging at School! Encourage parents to: Volunteer in the classroom Volunteer for school projects and fundraisers Be a mentor to new families and make them feel welcomed Follow through with commitments Check the school website for information and updates Attend parent teacher conferences Participate in after school activities What are the barriers?

Connecting with the 21 st CCLC sites Sites send the McKinney-Vento program a list of the students attending the after-school program so that we can identify the students who are homeless The McKinney-Vento staff pulls a list of students attending the school with an after-school program and call the parents and guardians to inform them about the program. The McKinney-Vento office sends flyers, letters and enrollment papers to the parents of homeless students who attend a school with a 21 st CCLC program McKinney-Vento staff calls and assist in enrolling students in the after school program

Parent Packs Parents packs are given to each family who is in the program. Information is translated into Spanish and Vietnamese. Other languages are available if needed. Parent Packs include: McKinney-Vento Staff Contacts Parent Teacher School Calendar Parent and Community Support Information Parents Rights Family Transition Cards Community Resources Parent Education Program Calendar How to Help Your Child in School Pamphlet Multilingual Services Information 21 st CCLC After-School Program Info

Parents attending the McKinney-Vento Parent Education meetings are also given enrollment information to the 21 st CCLC after-school program Parents are also given reminders about activities going on at their child’s school at the meetings

Follow-up with parents and guardians to inform them of after school activities and events by: Getting a calendar of activities from the sites so that reminder calls can be made to parents Send reminders home through interschool mail Text message parents Communicating with parents and guardians

How to get parents to attend after-school activities…. Assist bus passes Shelters – car pool with other parents Sign-up opportunities for resources and referrals Provide incentives that are needed by the families (When parents attend a school event or activity and they bring the program back to a PEP meeting they will receive an incentive.)

21 st CCLC “Imagine, Believe and Achieve” Summer Camp 21 st Century Community Learning Center Camp – “Imagine, Believe and Achieve.” Parents can come and eat lunch with their child. Parents are encouraged to to join in summer camp activities.

Fax all Enrollment Residency Questionnaire forms to our office if they are not in permanent housing. Please make sure that the ERQ forms are completely filled out and signed. If it is an emergency situation please indicate that on the form. Once verified, student information will be sent to nutrition services. All fees should be waived. This includes: pay to play, art and music. If you have any questions please call our office. If a student has previous fee charges before they enter the program they will still be responsible for those fees and charges. Depending on the situation our program may assist with uniform cost if funding is available. If a student needs assistance with field trip fees, please check with your school to see if the cost will be picked up by other means. Our office will assist with fees depending on the field trip and if funding is available.. We need to continue to surround the families with positive influences and to build relationships that will welcome them to your program. Parents are a child’s first teacher. Even though they are often in survival mode we can help them overcome the obstacles and barriers to help their children succeed. Your 21 st CCLC program can make a difference in the life of a child and their family….. Parents*School*McKinney-Vento*Community = Student Success!

Comments or Questions

Cynthia Martinez Wichita Public Schools McKinney-Vento Liaison 201 N. Water Room Office Cell