Michigan State Overview Homeless Children and Youth Foster Care Summit November, 2011 Washington, D.C.

Homeless Students Enrolled in Michigan Public Schools

954 of 22,673 were identified children/youth in Foster Care placements that qualified as “Awaiting Foster Care Placement”

4 4 Michigan’s Guidance on “Awaiting Foster Care Placement” In 2006 MDE Homeless Education Program published guidance for public school districts clarifying the M-V definition of “awaiting foster care placement” Any child/youth in the first 6 months of any new out-of-home placement is considered to be awaiting foster care placement - and is eligible for M-V homeless education services Once identified as M-V eligible, services continue through the end of the current school year November 2011

Foster Care and Education Collaboration Foster Care Summit November, 2011 Washington, D.C.

Michigan Collaboration Timeline BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS 2006 Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Guidance on “Awaiting Foster Care Placement” for McKinney-Vento (MV) Homeless Education Programs 2008 October 7 - Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (P.L , Fostering Connections Act) October 24 - Michigan Settlement: Dwayne B. v. Granholm November 3 – MDE Full-time Homeless Education Consultant position was hired, fulfilling the role of State Coordinator for Homeless Education, required by the McKinney-Vento law. November - DHS legislative liaison and policy writer met with new Homeless Education Consultant to discuss pending legislation in MI for foster care and education collaboration. December 17 - Michigan’s legislature passed its own version of the Fostering Connections law – P.A. 0186

CROSS TRAINING 2009 Michigan DHS developed position descriptions for Education Planners Michigan Department of Education developed regional consortium grant system for MV Homeless Education programs 2010 March – MDE Homeless Ed Coordinator met with DHS and Dept. of Treasury to collaborate on efforts for College Goal Sunday June – 14 DHS Foster Care Education Planners were trained in MV Law, guidance, MI policies /procedures, strategies, and best practices September - DHS Education Planners trained MV Homeless Education Grant Coordinators in foster care education needs, Fostering Connections law, guidance, MI DHS 2011 July 14 - DHS and MDE coordinators and staff presented collaborative webinar for the State Court Administrative Office 7November 2011 Michigan Collaboration Timeline

8 Role of McKinney Grant Coordinator Assist in coordinating educational services for homeless students which includes ensuring that enrollment/transportation is arranged in an timely manner Ensure that homeless students have appropriate school supplies and clothing, access to tutoring if needed, school activities, etc. Provide Technical Assistance to all educational service providers in Wayne County. Provide education and training on McKinney-Vento to district staff and local district liaisons Educate and train newly appointed district liaisons on their role as a McKinney-Vento District Liaison Provide community resources to homeless families Work closely with the DHS Education Planner to ensure that Foster Youth receive services they are eligible for Central Data Collection for County to report to MDE 8 November 2011

9 Role of an Education Planner Provide specific assistance: In developing long-term educational goals. In the transition between high school and post- secondary education. In the educational transition between residential facilities and the return to the community. In the transition from the educational system to the workforce. In enrollment and record transfer between schools when a move is unavoidable. 9 November 2011

10 Design and implement procedures for schools and child welfare agencies to share confidential information in order to deliver timely, effective services to children in care Clarify education-related roles and responsibilities of both agencies Treat youth in out-of-home care with dignity, understanding, and discretion Assist students aging out of care in applying for college financial aid and to institutions of interest Higher Education Act College Cost Reduction and Access Act Strategies to Maximize the M-V Act for Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement November 2011

11 Develop and use shared definitions and procedures via inter-agency agreements Consult the State Coordinator for Homeless Education at the state education agency for existing definition, policies, and procedures Cross-train state and local personnel on the definition, policies and strategies to implement these Building Futures Through Education, National Assoc. for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2009 Strategies to Maximize the M-V Act for Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement November 2011

12 Coordinate school transportation and share responsibility for costs The Fostering Connections Act permits states to access federal child welfare funding that may be used to cover reasonable transportation to the school of origin for a student in foster care State child welfare agencies must contribute state dollars in order to access these federal funds Building Futures Through Education, National Assoc. for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2009 Strategies to Maximize the M-V Act for Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement November 2011

SUCCESSES Greater awareness of homeless issues Greater awareness of foster care issues Greater awareness of the impact of educational instability on children’s learning NEW PARTNERSHIPS! More services to vulnerable children/youth Shared role in serving students 13November 2011

Challenges Funding (always!) Education Planners are not in every county Dynamics of CHANGE Staff turnover Common vocabulary – Alphabet Soup! Geographical differences – rural and urban areas Maintaining and growing collaboration 14November 2011

For more information… Pam Kies-Lowe State Homeless Education Coordinator Michigan Department of Education Office of Field Services, Special Populations Unit