Community Partnerships to help students in Homeless Situations David Ray

Materials PowerPoint Multiple Participants Form

Webinar Information Course Credit Recording of the Webinar Asking Questions

Community Partnerships Is it in the law? Why partner? What are community partnerships? Ideas for Collaboration FERPA reminder

Is it in the law? Community Partnerships are mentioned two and a half times in McKinney- Vento The Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths established in each State shall-- (5) in order to improve the provision of comprehensive education and related services to homeless children and youths and their families, coordinate and collaborate with– (A) educators, including child development and preschool program personnel; (B) providers of services to homeless and runaway children and youths and homeless families (including domestic violence agencies, shelter operators, transitional housing facilities, runaway and homeless youth centers, and transitional living programs for homeless youths); (C) local educational agency liaisons designated under subsection (g)(1)(J)(ii) for homeless children and youths; and (D) community organizations and groups representing homeless children and youths and their families; and

Is it in the law? (6) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY LIAISON- (C) LOCAL AND STATE COORDINATION- Local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths shall, as a part of their duties, coordinate and collaborate with State coordinators and community and school personnel responsible for the provision of education and related services to homeless children and youths.

Is it in the law? (v) public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youths is disseminated where such children and youths receive services under this Act, such as schools, family shelters, and soup kitchens;

Is it in the law? There is also recent related legislation in Texas HB 1559 that amends the Texas Education Code. WEBSITE INFORMATION CONCERNING LOCAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST HOMELESS STUDENTS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), each school that maintains an Internet website shall post on the website information regarding local programs and services, including charitable programs and services, available to assist homeless students.

Is it in the law? (b) school to which Subsection (a) applies shall make a good faith effort to compile information described by that subsection and shall post the information compiled in a format and style that is easily understandable by students or parents, as appropriate based on the grade levels the school offers. (c) representative of a local program or service available to assist homeless students may request to have information concerning the program or service posted on a school ’s website. A school may determine the information that is posted on the school ’s website and is not required to post information as requested by the representative.

Is it in the law? (d) school district is not liable for any harm to a student that results in connection with a local program or service referred to on the website of a district school as provided by this section. (e) This section does not apply to a school within a school district that: (1) has an enrollment of fewer than 3,000 students; and (2) is primarily located in a county with a population of less than 50,000.

Summary of HB 1559 Schools shall post information about local services on their website Good faith effort to compile and easy to understand Schools have discretion when requests to be added are made No liability Does not apply to schools in districts with enrollment of fewer of 3,000 AND in counties with a population less than 50,000

What types of partnerships? Government Offices CPS, Adult Protective Services, VA offices, Texas Workforce Commission, 211, Post Office, Social Security Offices State Offices Child Care Management Services (CCMS), Child Support, DMV, Medicaid Office Utilities Assistance Utility companies, resource centers, community service agencies, churches

What types of partnerships? Rent Assistance Community housing agencies, churches, Salvation Army, City Section 8 office Food Assistance HHS (SNAP), churches, community centers, food pantries, Red Cross and United Way agencies Diapers and Formula Assistance Crisis pregnancy centers, hospitals/clinics, WIC, women’s services

What types of partnerships? Clothing Assistance Clothing banks, social service agencies, Salvation Army Housing, Temporary Housing, Shelters Day shelters, emergency and domestic violence shelters, youth shelters, Salvation Army, missions Health Services Catholic Charities, United Way, family discount dental clinic, Medicaid, county health clinics, mobile services, VA clinics, AIDS programs

What types of partnerships? Counseling Addiction programs, crisis centers, credit counseling, AIDS programs, support services, county health offices, VA, parenting programs Financial Assistance (Non-Educational) Job training programs, Workforce Solutions, Salvation Army, United Way, Churches, free credit report sites Adult Education Learning labs, rehabilitation programs, Goodwill, Salvation Army

What type of partnerships? Children’s School Supplies School district homeless liaison, campus counselors, community programs Transportation Public transit, Texas DMV, community services, community college vocational programs, churches, Greyhound Miscellaneous Items THEO office, haircuts for school, Facebook resources, discount furniture/thrift shops, legal aid, Runaway Hotline, free cell phones

Ideas for Collaboration Do you have a county coalition? Search here: FREE Posters and Pamphlets are available for distribution on the Texas Homeless Education Office’s website Host a resource fair night Attend the Texas Homeless Network annual conference

Ideas for Creative Collaboration

However…

Remembering FERPA FERPA is the Family Educational Rights Protection Act Generally, schools must have written permission from the parent or eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record. However, FERPA allows schools to disclose those records, without consent, to the following parties or under the following conditions (34 CFR § 99.31): School officials with legitimate educational interest; Other schools to which a student is transferring; Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes; Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student; Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school; Accrediting organizations; To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Find out what needs your students have Reach out to community members Spell out what the student need is Work out how the collaboration will work Build out to include other community members