1. 2017-2018 Grundy County In-service
ENABLE GRUNDY
Grundy County In-service
July 27, 2017

2. Students experiencing homelessness
Tonya Garner
Federal Programs Supervisor
Office: (931) x114

3. Agenda Introduction: Living in Transition Overview of McKinney-Vento
Children & Youth in Transition
National & state trends
Responsibilities of District Liaisons
Resources

4. Introduction: Living in Transition

5. Living in Transition
What are the characteristics of a “typical” sheltered homeless family?
What percentage of children in homeless families are under age six?
What is the average age at which a teenager becomes homeless?
What is TN’s state ranking on child homelessness?

6. “Homeless Children & Youth”
Individuals who lack a fixed, regular,& adequate nighttime residence:
Fixed: not subject to change, permanent, stationary
Regular: consistent, routine, predictable, normal, standard
Adequate: sufficient to meet physical & psychological needs Can the student go to the same place (fixed) every night (regular) to sleep in a safe & sufficient (adequate) space?

7. AND includes children & youth who are:
sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; living in emergency or transitional shelters; abandoned in hospitals; or awaiting foster care placement;

8. AND includes children & youth who are:
staying at a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, sub-standard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
migrants living in the conditions described above

9. Historical Perspective: National Trends

10. State Ranking on Child Homelessness

11. McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The mckinney vento homeless assistant act is the federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for children and youth. McKinney Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

12. Major Themes of McKinney-Vento
Identification
School stability, immediate enrollment, & access
School of origin & transportation
Enrollment documents not required (immunizations, etc.)
Supports for academic success
Child-centered decision making on case-by-case basis
Critical role of the local homeless education liaisons
Unique barriers

13. LEAs Must….. designate a local homeless liaison
keep a homeless child or youth in the school of origin, to the extent feasible, (unless against wishes of the parent or guardian)
make school placement decisions based on the student’s best interest
provide a written explanation, including the right to appeal, to the parent or guardian or to an unaccompanied homeless youth, if the LEA sends the child to a school other than the one requested

14. LEAs Must…..
ensure, in the case of an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY), that the liaison assists in placement or enrollment decisions & considers the views of the youth
immediately enroll the child or youth, even without required records
contact the school last attended for relevant records
assist with obtaining immunizations or immunization records
make records available in a timely fashion when the child or youth
enrolls in a new school or LEA

15. LEAs Must…..
enroll the child or youth in the school in which enrollment is sought, pending the resolution of the dispute
refer the child, youth, parent, or guardian to the local liaison to carry out the dispute resolution process
ensure liaisons assist UHY during the dispute process
provide services comparable to those received by non- homeless students
coordinate with local social service & housing agencies

16. ENABLE Grundy Liaisons
Coalmont Elementary : Bobbie Sue Fugate
North Elementary : Jennifer Partin
Palmer Elementary : Angie Mitchell
Pelham Elementary : Holly Bryan
Swiss Memorial Elementary :
Tracy City Elementary: Liz Gudger
Grundy County High School: TBD

17. Liaisons Ensure Homeless Children & Youth…
are identified
are enrolled & have a full, equal opportunity to succeed in school
receive educational services for which they are eligible AND referrals to appropriate services; includes families
and their parents/guardians are informed of the educational & related opportunities available to their children & are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in their education

18. Title I Homeless Set-aside
Allowable*
Transportation (school of origin)
Clothing & shoes (PE, uniforms)
School & test fees (IB, AP)
School supplies
Dental, medical, mental health services
Enrollment items
Food
Staff serving homeless students
Hygiene items
* After exhausting all other resources.
NOT Allowable
Rent
Utilities
Clothing for parents
Services or materials from other funds (supplanting)
Programs or services required by state laws or policies

19. Resources U.S. Department of Education: McKinney-Vento
ePlan
National Assoc. for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth
National Center for Homeless Education
Liaison’s toolkit: ;

20. Important Reminders DO DON’T Judge Violate FERPA
Recognize many reasons for homelessness
Respond & follow up quickly
Be mindful of words, tone, & actions; be respectful
Visit families & community partners
DON’T
Judge
Violate FERPA
Be afraid to say, “I’ll have to check on that.”
Jeopardize living situations

21. Living in Transition: Answers
A “typical” sheltered homeless family includes a
mother in her late 20s with 2 children
___________of children in homeless families are under age six.
more than 51%
The average age at which a teenager becomes homeless is
14.7 years old
Tennessee ranks ______for child homelessness (with #50 being the lowest).
#41
Living in Transition: Answers

22. Questions

23. Tonya Garner Federal Programs Supervisor
Office: (931) x114
July 27, 2016