1. McKinney Vento Liaison Training
November 14, 2018

2. McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless
Children or youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth:
Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations
Living in emergency or transitional shelters, or are abandoned in hospitals
Trailer parks, Motels, hotels.

3. McKinney-Vento Definition (cont.)
Living in 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, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
Migratory children living in the above circumstances
Pub. L. No , § 9105(a)(1)(B), 129 Stat. 2137
The term unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
Pub. L. No , § 9105(a)(3), 129 Stat. 2137
Unaccompanied youth

4. National School Data,
This chart helps us understand why identifying is so important. Doubled up is one of the major homeless situations.

5. Illinois PK-12 MKV Counts

6. Understanding WHY FAMILIES LOSE HOUSING
Common causes of why families lose housing
Economic challenges (lack of affordable housing, poverty, unemployment/underemployment, single parenting/single income)
Health challenges (disabilities, mental health issues, substance abuse)
Domestic violence
Losing your permeant housing can be hard. Mental, finically and socially. Kevin Nowlan

7. Understanding the MKV Youth
Common causes of youth homelessness
Abuse or neglect
Acute conflict (pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, blended family issues, substance abuse)
Economic challenges (pressure for older children to be financially independent)
Shelter policies (lack of space for whole family, adolescent boys sent to adult shelters)

8. Understanding Substandard Housing
Considerations:
Does the housing lack one of the fundamental utilities such as water, electricity, or heat?
Is the housing infested with vermin or mold?
Does the housing lack a basic functional part such as a working kitchen or a working toilet?
Pictures

9. The Removal of AFCP
ESSA removes “awaiting foster care placement” from the definition of MKV
Shoup

10. Main themes of McKinney-Vento
Identification.
School stability.
School enrollment
Support for academic success.
Child-centered, best interest decision making.
School Stability Keeping homeless child in original schools Transportation

11. Obstacles to identification
Embarrassment or fear of being judged.
Fear of losing custody (NOT a reason for having children removed)
Unaccompanied youth may fear being returned to an unsafe family environment or taken into the child welfare system
Websites info about MV. Custody losing.

12. Obstacles to identification (cont.)
Schools and service providers may be unaware of students who are not enrolled in school but are in shelters or are doubled up.
Do not realize that they are considered MKV-eligible since MKV and HUD definitions are different.
Hud----MKV… Continuum  of care meetings 2nd Tuesday of each month at Peoria red cross.

13. Strategies to help identify
Create community awareness.
Develop Interagency Partnerships.
Train school staff.
Provide information to parents.
Reach out to youth.

14. Student enrolment packets.. Shoup

15. The Student has been identified as MKV-eligible Now What??

16. School Stability
Each LEA shall, according to each child’s or youth’s best interest:
Continue the student’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness, and until the end of the academic year in which the student becomes permanently housed; OR
Enroll in any public school that housed students living where the student is living are eligible to attend.
In Illinois, the parent/guardian makes the best interest determination.

17. School of Origin
School of origin is the school attended when permanently housed or school in which last enrolled, including a preschool and including the designated receiving school at the next grade level for feeder schools.
Last enrolled..

18. Enrollment
When remaining in the school of origin is not in the student’s best interest or what the parent, guardian or youth requests:
McKinney-Vento students are entitled to immediate enrollment in any public school that students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend; even if:
Students do not have required documents, such as school records, records of immunization and other required health records, proof of residency, guardianship, or other documents; or
Students have missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness.

19. Free Birth Certificates for MKV
As of January 1, 2018 MKV-eligible students can get a free birth certificate for Illinois courthouses.
The form can be found at the following address:
Kevin Nowlan

20. Enrollment
“Enrollment” includes attending classes and participating fully in school activities.
SEAs and LEAs must develop, review, and revise policies to remove barriers to the identification, enrollment and retention of children and youth in homeless situations, including barriers due to outstanding fees or fines, or absences.

21. Enrollment of unaccompanied youth
“Unaccompanied Youth: A youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian (g)(1)(H)(iv)
Immediate enrollment applies, even without parent or guardian.
Youth self-enrollment; Caregiver authorization form
04J_caregivers.pdf
Liaisons must help unaccompanied youth choose and enroll in a school, give priority to the youth’s wishes, and inform the youth of his/her appeal rights.

22. Support for success – You don’t have to do it alone!
Collaborate with area community agencies – help with food, services, transportation, etc.
Share the information with other teachers and staff as needed.
Create networks.

23. Support for success – title iA
Funds may be used:
For homeless children and youth attending any school in the LEA.
For services not ordinarily provided to other students.
To fund the McKinney-Vento liaison.
To provide transportation to the school of origin.
For educationally related support services, including preschool.

24. title iA Funds – can be used for…
Clothing, particularly if necessary for dress code or physical education classes.
Fees to participate in the general education program.
School supplies
Birth certificates necessary to enroll in school
Food (in connection with educational programming)
Medical and dental services, immunizations, glasses, hearing aids
Counseling services
Outreach services
Extended learning time; Tutoring services
Fees for AP, IB, GED testing

25. National school lunch act
McKinney-Vento students are automatically eligible for free school meals.
USDA policy permits liaisons and shelter directors to obtain free school meals for students immediately by providing a list of names of students experiencing homelessness with effective dates.

26. Transportation
LEAs must provide transportation to and from the school/preschool of origin, including until the end of the year when the student obtains permanent housing, at a parent or guardian’s request (or at the liaison’s request for unaccompanied youth).
If staying in the same LEA, that LEA must provide or arrange transportation to the school of origin.
If crossing LEA lines, both LEAs must determine how to divide the responsibility and share the cost, or they must share the cost equally. transportation

27. Dispute resolution
“If a dispute arises over eligibility, school selection, transportation or enrollment in a school (including full participation):
The student shall be immediately enrolled and/or provided transportation;
Illinois:
The Regional Superintendent shall appoint a fair and impartial Ombudsperson to convene a meeting of the parties.
The Ombudsperson’s decision may be appealed to the State Coordinator for review. The State Superintendent shall make the final determination.

28. Role of the School District
Dispute resolution
Role of the School District
Immediate Enrollment
Fee waivers, including graduation, extra-curricular & tech fees
Transportation (if needed)
Provide a stable environment
Connection to social agencies
Provide a liaison
Use Title I set-side
Priority to Head Start & Pre-K Programs
Provide educational rights for homeless youth.

29. Resources Go to isbe.net and in the search box type in “homeless”.
Includes Caregiver Form
Homeless Dispute Resolution Procedures
Registration Guidance
And many other resources, forms, and presentations
Transportation plan
Presentation
Common Form
National Center for Homeless Education
Includes webinars and self-paced training
Other resources regarding homelessness

30. QUESTIONS? Jay Wallace jwallace@roe53.net 309-477-2290 Eileen Shoup