McKinney-Vento Homeless Education: Homeless Education Liaison ‘101’ Roberto Reyes, Licensed School Counselor McKinney-Vento State Coordinator Minnesota Department of Education telephone: 651-582-8302 email: roberto.reyes@state.mn.us www.education.state.mn.us “Leading for educational excellence and equity. Every day for every one.”

Replace with Slide Heading Replace with bullet points or subheading education.state.mn.us

http://center.serve.org/nche/ http://www.naehcy.org/index.html http://www.nlchp.org/ education.state.mn.us

education.state.mn.us

education.state.mn.us

education.state.mn.us

education.state.mn.us

education.state.mn.us

education.state.mn.us

School – One Stable Place: McKinney-Vento Homeless Education, MDE McKinney-Vento Act: PURPOSE: The following is the policy of the Congress: (1) Each State educational agency shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths. School – One Stable Place: McKinney-Vento Homeless Education, MDE

(2) In any State that has . . . laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths, the State will review and undertake steps to revise such laws, regulations, practices or policies to ensure that homeless children and youths are afforded the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths.

(3) Homelessness alone is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment. (4) Homeless children and youths should have access to the education and other services . . to ensure . . [they] have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State student academic achievement standards to which all students are held. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) Chapter 19 Title VI Subtitle B; Education for Homeless Children and Youths SEC. 721. STATEMENT OF POLICY as amended: McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 in NCLB, Title X, Part C, 2001 TITLE 42 > CHAPTER 119 > SUBCHAPTER VI > Part B > § 11432

Main themes – McKinney-Vento Act: School access School stability Support for academic success Child-centered, individualized approach Critical role of the local homeless liaison What is in the best interest of the child?

full participation in education and all school opportunities

“What If We Disagree?” If there is a disagreement about whether the student meets the McKinney-Vento definition of a homeless child or youth (between the parents/youth and the school), the state’s dispute resolution process should be followed.

“What If We Disagree?” Under the dispute resolution process: The school district must provide written notice of its position and inform the parent/guardian/unaccompanied youth of the right to appeal the district’s decision The parent/guardian/unaccompanied youth should be referred to the local liaison for assistance with the appeal process. The student must be enrolled immediately in the requested school; enrollment must continue until the dispute is resolved. The student must be provided with all services to which McKinney-Vento eligible students are entitled (e.g. transportation, Title I services, free meals).

Nighttime Residences considered homeless HOMELESS definition: One who lacks a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence Nighttime Residences considered homeless SHELTERED: emergency/transitional shelters; awaiting foster care UNSHELTERED: living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned building; not a regular sleeping places DOUBLED-UP: sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason HOTELS/MOTELS Migratory children – in any of the above situations

RESPONSIBILITIES Designate a district Homeless Liaison & school point people. Duties of the Homeless Liaison: 2) Identify policy barriers to enrollment, attendance and success. 3) Build awareness and provide outreach. 4) Link school and community resources. 5) Enroll the child/youth who is homeless and provide support services.

STEPS a) Determine eligibility. b) Determine school selection c) If parent disagrees -> dispute resolution. d) Immediately enroll the child. e) Flag the MARSS student record. f) Determine needs of the child/youth. g) Provide services.

School District Homeless Liaison Teacher Student and Family Principal Policy Transportation Funding Reporting via MARSS School Point Person Principal School Point Person Supports for Learning Teacher School Point Person- a student support services team member Assessment Placement Link to community services Primary parent contact Student and Family

Determining Eligibility and Identification Is there any guidance on what “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” means? A: The McKinney-Vento Act states that children and youth who lack “a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” will be considered homeless. 42 U.S.C. §11434A(2)(A). The Act does not define those terms. However, the following definitions may provide guidance: (1) Fixed: Securely placed or fastened; not subject to change or fluctuation. (Merriam- Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition.) A fixed residence is one that is stationary, permanent, and not subject to change (2) Regular: Normal, standard; constituted, conducted, or done in conformity with established or prescribed usages, rules, or discipline; recurring, attending, or functioning at fixed A regular residence is one which is used on a regular (i.e., nightly) basis. (3) Adequate: Sufficient for a specific requirement; lawfully and reasonably sufficient. Fully sufficient; equal to what is required; lawfully and reasonably sufficient. An adequate residence is one that is sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments. Do school districts have the responsibility to identify or locate children and youth experiencing homelessness? A: Yes. Every school district must designate a liaison for children and youth experiencing homelessness. 42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(1)(J)(ii). The McKinney-Vento Act requires liaisons to ensure that “homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel and through coordination with other entities and agencies.” 42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(6)(A). The purpose of identification is to offer appropriate services to the family, child or youth. Coordination with schools and community agencies is an essential identification strategy, as are professional development, awareness and training activities within school buildings, school districts, and the community.

The Definition Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations Living in emergency or transitional shelters Awaiting foster care placement

The Definition (cont) Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings Migratory children living in the circumstances described above Unaccompanied youth living in the circumstances described above

(1) Step 1: Get the Facts What are the FACTS? Use an enrollment questionnaire for all students; this will assist with identifying eligible students. (See http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/sc_eligibility.php for sample questionnaires) If the form indicates a possible homeless situation, refer to the local liaison to determine eligibility. Discuss the living arrangement with the family/student in a private place and with sensitivity. Ask additional questions respectfully, as needed. (these are often very personal discussions for the family) What are the FACTS?

Step 1: Get the Facts (cont) Avoid using the word “homeless”: some families may want to avoid the stigma; others may not consider themselves homeless and yet they might be eligible. Inform the family about your reason for asking questions - to determine potential eligibility Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Avoid contacting persons outside the school system to probe for more information; see NCHE’s Confirming Eligibility brief at www.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/verif_ll.pdf

Step 2: Analyze the Facts (2) Does the student’s living arrangement fit into one of the examples of homelessness in the law? If not, would the student qualify for services because he/she lives in another type of living arrangement that does not meet the fixed, regular, and adequate standard? Use the information/questions contained in the Determining Eligibility brief to assist in answering these questions.

Step 3: Call for Back-up (3) Contact your State Coordinator for Homeless Education Roberto Reyes MDE 651-582-8302 Roberto.Reyes@State.MN.US ; visit www.serve.org/nche/states/state_resources.php Contact the NCHE Helpline at 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org

CRITICAL ISSUES: ENROLLMENT— INTAKE: Student/Family needs LOSS TRANSITIONS TRAUMA SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS RESOURCEFULLNESS

Student Needs Tutoring Evaluation Referrals for Medical/Dental Early Childhood Transportation Free Lunch Before/After-School Programs Records Parent Rights education.state.mn.us

Student Needs Counseling for DV Participation in Sports/Band/Arts Coordinate with Community Resources Comparable Services School Supplies Flood/Disaster Relief Emergency Assistance to enable Students to attend school education.state.mn.us