McKinney-Vento: A Key to Success McKinney-Vento Liaison Training 2013

Agenda  McKinney-Vento Act: How it came to be  Who is homeless?  McKinney-Vento Act: What it is  McKinney-Vento Liaisons  Strategies for implementation

Give Credit Where Credit is Due!  This training was developed with the help of: –National Center for Homeless Education –National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty –National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth –National Coalition for the Homeless –State Coordinators

Jada Jada Miller, 8, has just moved in with her grandfather, Ted Jacobs, because her mother was sentenced to five years in jail and she has no place else to go. Mr. Jacobs is elderly and in poor health and does not believe he can take care of her for very long. Jada sleeps on a cot in his room. Mr. Jacobs met with the school counselor at the local elementary school, to enroll Jada. During the meeting, he told the counselor that he thinks Jada might have a learning disability and that she should be evaluated. The counselor told Mr. Jacobs that he can’t enroll Jada or request special education services, because he’s not her legal guardian.

McKinney-Vento Act  1987: Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act  Reauthorized in 1990  In 1994 placed under IASA  2001: McKinney-Vento Act, NCLB

The Scale of Homelessness  Up to 2 million people will experience homelessness this year  A little over half of the people will be children and youth  The fastest growing segment of the homeless population is families National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty

Impact on Indiana 29,000

Who is Homeless?  An individual who lacks fixed, regular, and adequate, nighttime residence. Includes:  Doubled-up  Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of other housing  Living in emergency or transitional housing

 Children in hospitals or other institutions while waiting for foster care or other permanent housing  Living in cars, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing  Migratory children who meet the above criteria

Causes  Major trends –Rising housing costs –Rising poverty rates

McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment Enroll immediately, even when lacking documentation such as:  Proof of residency  Immunizations or medical records  Proof of guardianship  Birth certificates, school records, or other similar documents  Uniform or dress code requirements

Indiana Law  Immunizations: Indiana Public Health Code requires: –That each school keep immunization records –That children who do not have records be given a waiver or have a schedule in place to receive immunizations or have a written religious objection IC

Dispute Resolution  No child or youth may be expelled from a public school without due process, including a hearing  Schools have the right to investigate the legal residency of students  The hearing officer must be informed if the student is homeless and of the rights of homeless students Indiana Compulsory Attendance Law, IC

Dispute Resolution cont’d  All suspected homeless children and youth MUST be allowed to attend school until the dispute is settled through due process  If a student is denied enrollment to a school, they must be given a written explanation for the denial. This should also include an explanation of the appeal process

McKinney-Vento Act: School Choice  School of Origin: Where the child last attended when permanently housed Should attend here if in best interest, feasible  School in current attendance area

McKinney-Vento Act: Attendance & Success  Parental involvement  Comparable services  Transportation  Segregation of homeless students is prohibited!

McKinney-Vento Liaisons  Review & revise policy  Post educational rights  Ensure: –Identification & enrollment –Full & equal access to services –Disclosure of rights to parents and unaccompanied youth, including the right to transportation – Mediation of disputes

Warning Signs of Homelessness  Lack of continuity in education  Transportation & attendance problems  Poor health or nutrition  Lack of privacy or personal space after school  Social or behavioral concerns  Reactions or statements by child or parent

Strategies for Implementation  Free & reduced price breakfast & lunch programs  Free textbooks  Health insurance  Title I programs  Special Education  Gifted Programs  Transportation  Before and after school programs  Head Start  Even Start

Title I and Homelessness  Title I application must show collaboration with McKinney-Vento Act  Title IA funds must include a set aside amount to serve homeless students Title I of the ESEA, Sec. 1113(c)(3)(A)

Title I and Homelessness The set aside funds may be used to: –Coordinate services through a designated person to make contact with homeless families, youth & service providers –Provide outreach services –Provide assistance in non-Title I schools –Provide early childhood education programs –Refer students to health services and counseling –Tutor, provide supplemental instruction or enriched services –Other assistance as needed

Needs Assessment  Where are the shelters in your community? Are there any?  What organizations in the district can help homeless youth or families?  What issues are unique to your community?

Resources  Michael Williams McKinney-Vento State Coordinator Indiana Department of Education or (317)  National Center for Homeless Education or (800)