Using Statewide Networks to Assist Homeless Youth in Making Successful Transitions to Postsecondary Programs National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth 26 th Annual Conference Kansas City, MO

Presenters Cyekeia Lee Director of Higher Education Initiatives National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) Shirley Fan-Chan, Director U-ACCESS University of Massachusetts Boston

What are Statewide Networks for Homeless Youth? People and organizations working together to help homeless students access and complete postsecondary programs Often include one or more McKinney-Vento and Higher Education Champions to cross train Includes Stakeholders from K-12 education, Local homeless liaisons, higher education staff, RHYA and HUD shelter staff, and college access program staff

Why are Statewide Networks Needed? Last year 56, 224 youth indicated on the FAFSA that they were unaccompanied homeless youth Many of the these youth need additional assistance navigating higher education systems NAEHCY’s Higher Education Helpline has received over 900 calls and s from UHY, or professionals helping UHY access higher education

What Barriers do Statewide Networks Address? Entrance requirements Financial aid eligibility/packages Housing Understanding of homelessness On-campus support Academic offerings and supports Supportive off-campus communities

Roles and Responsibilities of Statewide Networks Define roles and responsibilities for champions, taskforce, and SPOC’s Discuss communication ( , webex meeting, conference call, in person, newsletter) Discuss how often you will meet as a group At least one in person meeting per year Get data for population you are serving How many youth? Retention? Graduation? Develop one year plan of taskforce work

Where are the Statewide Higher Education Networks? Currently, NAEHCY supports and provides technical assistance to the following states around the country, including: Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma NAEHCY is working with the following states to develop State Higher Education Networks: Indiana, Montana, New Jersey, Virginia policy/state-he-networks policy/state-he-networks

What Are SPOC’s? “Single Point of Contact” – A supportive college administrator on each campus who is committed to helping homeless youth (and often foster youth) successfully navigate the college-going process on campuses Connects students to Admissions, Financial Aid, Academic Advising, Housing, Community Resources etc. In place in MI, CO, NC, and GA In progress in AL, FL, NH, NV, MA, NJ, IN, PA Alabama A & M example

Best Practices from Statewide Networks Colorado’s network has designated funding to defer housing cost, purchase ID’s, bedding and other school supplies for unaccompanied homeless youth. New Hampshire’s network has partnered with the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF) to provide scholarships for unaccompanied homeless youth. Kennesaw State a partner of the Georgia network, implemented a campus awareness and resource empowerment center, known as the C.A.R.E. program to address and support the needs of homeless students on its campus.

NAEHCY Resources NAEHCY Toolkit: College Access and Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness available at Podcast Series NAEHCY Higher Education Helpline (855) (toll-free) FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Youth Without Stable Housing and Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access College Financial Aid at

Questions? Cyekeia Lee Director of Higher Education Initiatives Website NAEHCY Helpline,