1. ESEA Directors InstituteESEA Directors Institute October 2014October 2014 Homeless EducationHomeless Education

2. McKinney-Vento  Stewart B. McKinney Act, 1987 (1990, 1994)  2001, reauthorization and name change to McKinney-Vento Act  Requires educational access, attendance, and success for homeless children and youth  Outlines responsibilities for local liaisons and state coordinators

3. Definition Lacks “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence”:  Doubled-up (economic hardship – not by choice)  Motels, hotels, campgrounds, trailers (no alternative adequate accommodations)  Emergency or transitional shelters  Public or private place not designated for human living such as cars, parks, substandard housing, abandoned buildings, bus/train stations  Migrant children fitting the definition In transition language

4. Quick Facts or Why should we care about finding homeless students?  Have four times the average rate of delayed development.  Have more academic problems than other children.  More likely to drop out 25% are graduated from high school  Of children in grades three through 12 who are homeless and participated in state assessment tests, only 48% were proficient in reading and only 43% were proficient in math.  38% percent of homeless children with learning disabilities receive treatment for their disabilities, compared to 75% of housed children with disabilities.

5.  21% of homeless children repeat a grade because of frequent absence from school, compared to 5% of other children.  Are under served by special education. 9% are in special education classes, compared to 24 % of housed children.  Are suspended twice as often as other children. 36 % manifest delinquent or aggressive behavior 17% of other school-age  4 times more likely to be sick 47% have problems such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal 18% of other school-age children Quick Facts or Why should we care about finding homeless students? (cont.)

6. District Obligations  Appoint a Local Homeless Education Liaison  Remove barriers to education, including revising district policy  Ensure compliance with Title X, Part C - the McKinney-Vento Act  Immunization Report (TN) Tennessee Code Annotated 49-6-5001(g) LEAs report homeless numbers by school of students who, at the time of enrollment, were without immunization records. The average time to be immunized or obtain immunization records. – Example, 6 days.

7. Local Liaison  Attends required annual training  Makes final determination in the district regarding eligibility  Ensures enrollment, attendance, and full and equal opportunity for success  Ensures families, children, and youth receive educational services for which they are eligible  Trains local staff - everyone

8. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth  “not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian”  Living situation meets homeless definition  Eligible for services regardless of reason for separation Ran away Forced to leave home  All protections and rights including immediate enrollment apply

9. Tennessee Numbers  Federally expected numbers of homeless students: 10 percent of Free and Reduced Lunch number  576,435 = actual FRL for Tennessee (2012-13)  57,643 = federal estimate for homeless count (2012-13)  14,319 = TN homeless count in (2012-13)

10. Student Rights  Immediate enrollment, even if lacking paperwork  School selection School of origin (if feasible) or local school  Transportation to/from school of origin  Comparable services  Prohibition of segregation  Public posting of rights  Free school meals  Title I, Part A support  Special Programs: Special Education, ESL

11. How to Spend Money Services and assistance to attract, engage, and retain homeless children and youth, and unaccompanied youth, in public school programs.

12. Practically Speaking Both Title-I Set-Aside and Grant  Clothing: daily dress/uniform/PE requirement  Student fees necessary to participate in the general education program (lab, AP, IB, SAT/ACT)  School supplies (home, shelter, school)  Enrollment necessities: birth certificates, immunizations  Medical and dental services  Eyeglasses and hearing aids

13. Practically Speaking Both Title 1 set aside and Grant  Counseling and Outreach services (programs addressing the particular needs that may arise from domestic violence)  Extended learning time (before/after school, Saturday classes, summer school)  Tutoring services - especially in shelters or other locations where homeless students live  GED testing for school-age students

14. Practically Speaking Both Title 1 set aside and Grant  Preschool education programs not provided through other Federal, State, or local funds  Coordinating services provided by schools and other agencies to eligible students  Providing extraordinary or emergency services to eligible students as necessary to enroll and retain such children and youth in school  Transportation Title 1 Grant

15. May not use funds for  Rent  Utilities  Clothing for parents  Supplanting other available funds (Federal, State, or Local)  Programs or services that state laws or policies require districts to provide

16. Coding  MUST use a housing code 01: Shelters, Transitional Housing, Awaiting Foster Care 02: Doubled up 03: Unsheltered (cars, parks, abandoned building, campground, temporary trailer 04: Hotels/Motels

17. Resources  National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)website: www.serve.org/nche www.serve.org/nche  NCHE helpline: 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org  Other national organizations: National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) www.naehcy.orgwww.naehcy.org National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP) www.nlchp.org www.nlchp.org

18. Questions and Conversation

19. State Contact Information Paula Gaddis 615-741-3262 Paula.Gaddis@tn.gov

20. 20 FRAUD, WASTE or ABUSE Citizens and agencies are encouraged to report fraud, waste or abuse in State and Local government. NOTICE: This agency is a recipient of taxpayer funding. If you observe an agency director or employee engaging in any activity which you consider to be illegal, improper or wasteful, please call the state Comptroller’s toll-free Hotline: 1-800-232-5454 Notifications can also be submitted electronically at: http://www.comptroller.tn.gov/hotline