McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, reauthorized by Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act 2002

What is this Act? The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act (M-V) is an Act of Congress that provides preschool-aged and school-aged children certain rights or protections. These rights and protections are established to provide them with a source of stability and normalcy in otherwise chaotic and frightening circumstances. Studies show that school stability supports academic achievement and mental and emotional security.

How is “homeless” defined? A “homeless individual” includes: Any school-age child/youth who lacks a fixed, regular; and adequate night-time residence; or

Families In Transition … a school-aged child/youth who has a primary nighttime residence that is: Living in a emergency or transitional shelter, motel/hotel, vehicle, or campground, Living on the street or “couch surfing”,

Families In Transition Living in an inadequate shelter, no water, no electricity or poor insulation “Doubled up” with friends or relatives because they cannot find or afford housing

Families In Transition Awaiting stable foster care placement Not enrolled in school due to any of these reasons … they are all identified as homeless and are to be served.

How we Identify The Homeless? School Surveys Shelter Personnel School Personnel Community Members Concerned Peers And directly from the Families themselves.

Identification Children and youth are referred to Families In Transition by school staff; parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, public agencies, and community service providers. An “Observation/Identification Checklist” is completed and sent Debbie Niekamp at our Families In Transition program.

Observation/Identification Checklist The checklist can be found on our website, it consists of four sections: One, basic student enrollment information, Two, current housing environment, Three, referring agency or person and Four, actions or services needed.

Program Enrollment Once the Observation/Identification Checklist has been received our M-V liaison reviews it. The student in then enrolled and services are provided as needed

Services / Actions Possible: Enrollment assistance, Transportation assistance, School supplies, Laundry/shower vouchers, Medical referrals, Energy assistance referral, Emergency food and housing referral,

Services and Actions Alaska Housing Homeless Verification Letter, Free and Reduced lunch enrollment, Clothing vouchers, HSGQE assistance, Academic tutoring … and Referral to other community care agencies.

Enrollment Rights Homeless children and youth have the right to: be immediately enrolled (attending) in school, even if the child or youth lacks records normally required for enrollment, Stay in the school they attended before they became homeless,

School Choice A.A homeless child or youth’s right to attend their school of origin, this right extends for the entire duration of homelessness. B.If housing is obtained during the year, the student can stay in the same school for the rest of that school year.

Enrollment Rights Participate in all school programs, as appropriate, Receive assistance in obtaining immunization, academic and other enrollment documents, Receive nutritional assistance as needed, Receive transportation assistance as needed

Transportation Lack of transportation is one of the most pervasive barriers to enrollment and success in school for students in homeless situations. To meet transportation needs we may extend or add bus routes, use MASCOT or provide gas cards.

Transportation Currently our District Transportation Coordinators are very helpful in finding ways to extend or add bus routes to serve our homeless students. This month alone we have 16 students on extended routes for transportation to “schools of origin”.

Disputes Should a dispute arise over school selection or enrollment, the child/youth must be immediately enrolled in the school in which he/she is seeking enrollment, pending resolution of the dispute, and The M-V Liaison, Debbie Niekamp, should be contacted immediately.

Unaccompanied Youth Situation If a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian they are considered to be “unaccompanied youth”, In this case… the homeless liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of the dispute. an “unaccompanied youth” does not need a guardian to enroll.

Liaison Definition M-V requires that school districts designate an appropriate staff person, as a liaison for homeless children and youth. The School Liaison: responds to community inquiries regarding homelessness, assists agency and shelter personnel, and parents with enrollment of children and provides support services.

Liaison Definition, cont. The School Liaison also: serves on community interagency task forces. provides and posts information outside the central administrative office that encourages identification and enrollment of homeless students, implements district-wide procedures to identify and serve homeless children and youth.

How is the Community Helping? Community Awareness Opportunities Host a presentation Place a poster in your lobby Tell others of Families In Transition Community Referrals Call Debbie Niekamp at Participate in Clothing Drives Make a donation to help with supplies, or service voucher.

Collaborating Agencies Family Promise Bishop’s Attic Mat-Valley Community Charities Assoc Treasure Loft

Collaborating Agencies Food Bank of Alaska Salvation Army KMBQ Radio And _________________________

Things to Come Clean Out the Closets, Help Cloth the Kids! Current Clothing Drive Family Promise Winter Gala February 21, 2009 // Colony Middle School 8pm Homeless Connections // Coming this Spring, connecting needs with services.

Frequently Asked Questions… How many homeless students are the? Why are most of them homeless? What can be done to help them? Are you careful to assist, but not over assist…, do you know what I mean?

Your Questions…

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Federal Programs Department Families in Transition Debbie Niekamp Homeless Liaison