1. 1 Patricia Lentz, Program Specialist NC Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) plentz@serve.org 336-574-8724 New Charter Leaders Institute June 16, 2015 Raleigh, NC

2. 2  Become familiar with important concepts in the McKinney-Vento Act  Eligibility  Immediate Enrollment  School Selection  Transportation  Unaccompanied Homeless Youth  Accessing Higher Education  Young Homeless Youth  Title I  Disputes

3. 3  NCHEP ensures that all children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to the public education to which they are entitled to under the Federal McKinney- Vento Act.  NCHEP ensures that North Carolina's state policies are in compliance with federal law.  NCHEP oversees all programmatic aspects of the state homeless education program while DPI oversees the fiscal components of the program.  Federal Program Monitoring and Support Services Division with NCDPI

4. 4  Provide technical assistance to LEAs and charter schools on homeless education  Monitor all LEA and charter school homeless education programs for compliance with the McKinney-Vento Act  Conduct compliance meetings and trainings for homeless liaisons and other school personnel  Oversee disputes on enrollment and services provided to homeless students

5. 5 The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law designed to increase the school enrollment, attendance, and success of children and youth who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.

6. 6  We will also touch on additional aspects of homeless education, including  Accessing Higher Education  Young Homeless Youth  Data Collection

7. 2013 – 2014 26,923* 2012 – 2013 27,369 2011– 2012 27,802 2010 – 2011 25,392 * Non-certified count 7

8. 8  Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; reauthorized by Title X, Part C of ESEA  Main themes of the McKinney-Vento Act  School access  School stability  Support for academic success  Child-centered, best interest decision making  Critical role of the local homeless education liaison

9. 9  Play critical role in implementing the McKinney-Vento Act  Every school district and charter school must designate one  Responsibilities include:  Identify homeless children and youth  Ensure that students enroll immediately and participate fully in school  Inform parents, guardians, or youth of educational rights  Support unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) with school selection and disputes

10. 10  Link students with educational and other services, including preschool and health services  Ensure the public posting of educational rights through the school district and community; NCHEP posters are available for online ordering at: http://center.serve/hepnc/online_order.php  Ensure that disputes are resolved promptly  Collaborate with other district programs and community agencies

11. 11  Children or youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including:  Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason (“doubling up”)  Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations  Living in emergency or transitional shelters  Abandoned in hospitals

12. 12  Awaiting foster care placement  Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live  Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or a similar setting  Migratory children living in the above circumstances  Unaccompanied youth living in the above circumstances

13. 13  Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by examining the living arrangement of each student  Some instances are clear-cut; others require further inquiry and then a judgment call  Reference NCHE’s Determining Eligibility and Confirming Eligibility briefs at: www.serve.org/nche/briefs.php

14. 14  Fixed, regular, and adequate are guiding principles  If living arrangement does not meet all three criteria, it could be considered a homeless situation  List of examples given in the definition describes common homeless situations, but is not exhaustive

15. 15  Fixed : Stationary, permanent, and not subject to change  Regular : Used on a predictable, routine, or consistent basis (e.g. nightly)  Adequate : Sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments Consider: Can the student go to the SAME PLACE (fixed) EVERY NIGHT (regular) to sleep in a SAFE AND SUFFICIENT SPACE (adequate)?

16. 16  Step 1: Get the facts  Sample enrollment questionnaires can be found at www.serve.org/nche/forum/eligibility.php  Step 2: Analyze the facts  Does the living situation fit into one of the specific examples of homelessness listed in the law?  Is the living arrangement another type of situation that is not fixed, regular, and adequate?  Step 3: Get additional input  Contact the local LEA or Charter School homeless liaison  Contact NCHEP helpline at 1-800-659-3204

17. 17  “Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason”  Considerations for the liaison: Why did the parties move in together? Due to a crisis or by mutual choice as a plan for mutual benefit? How permanent is the living arrangement intended to be? Where would family/youth live if not doubled up? Is the living arrangement fixed, regular, and adequate? Reference Resource : NCHE Brief: “Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services Under the McKinney-Vento Act” (includes fact finding questions) http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/det_elig.pdf

18. 18 Tony is in the seventh grade. He, his two brothers, and his parents are living doubled up with his uncle after their house was foreclosed on last month. The family has never experienced homelessness before and was glad that relatives were willing to take them in during this rough time. Their living situation is tense because the house is not large enough for Tony’s family and his uncle’s family to live comfortably. Tony and his brothers are sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor of the living room and they don’t have anywhere to do their homework.

19. 19  US Department of Education Guidance states:  Awaiting foster care placement = homeless  Already in foster care = not homeless  Local DSS agencies and school districts should coordinate to determine how to support students in and awaiting foster care Guidance available at: www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/guidance.pdf

20. 20 An “unaccompanied youth” is: A youth NOT in the physical custody of a parent or guardian An “unaccompanied homeless youth” is: An unaccompanied youth who is living in a situation that meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless

21. 21  Age limits  No lower age limit  Upper age limit (as with all McKinney-Vento eligible students) is the state’s upper age limit for public education  Youth can be eligible regardless of whether he/she was asked to leave the home or “chose” to leave; sometimes there is “more than meets the eye” for youth’s home life situations

22. 22  Enroll and educate students  “When Legal Guardians Are Not Present” brief http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/ briefs/guardianship.pdf  Do not need to understand or agree with all aspects of students’ lives  Become familiar with state laws and local policies related to unaccompanied youth (medical signature authority and reporting)

23. 23  Family conflict or crisis  Parent incarceration, substance abuse, illness, death, etc.  Foster care issues: aging out of the foster care system; running away from a foster care placement  Family homelessness  Being asked to leave the home  Choosing to leave home on their own

24. 24  Develop caretaker forms, self-enrollment forms and/or other forms to replace typical proof of guardianship. Forms should be crafted carefully so they do not create further barriers or delay enrollment. More information at: www.serve.org/nche/downloads/toolkit/app_d.pdf  Be willing to be flexible with students and provide extra supports

25. 25  Homeless youth may be designated as Independent Students in order to apply for federal financial aid without parental information (College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007)  Verification Local Liaisons RHYA shelter providers HUD shelter providers Financial Aid Administrators – must use MV definition  Fee waivers for ACT  Summary of Homeless Access Provisions located at: www.naehcy.org/dl/avg1011summary.doc www.naehcy.org/dl/avg1011summary.doc

26. 26 Will is a 17-year-old who is currently enrolled in your school. He says he left home because he doesn’t like his stepfather and is staying with a friend. His mom says Will has a perfectly good home to come to and wants him to come home immediately.  Does Will qualify as McKinney-Vento?  Does your school have to provide transportation if requested by Will? Will is a 17-year-old who has come to your school to enroll. He said he left home because he doesn’t like his stepfather and is staying with a friend. His mom says Will has a perfectly good home to come to and wants him to come home immediately. She does not want Will to enroll in another school.  Would your school enroll Will?  Beyond enrollment, what else could your school do to support Will in his education?  Other questions?

27. 27  Students have the right to attend:  Local Attendance Area School Any public school that students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend  School of Origin The school attended when permanently housed; or The school in which the student was last enrolled  Based on best interest determination; keep student in school of origin, to the extent feasible, unless this is against the parent, guardian, or youth’s wishes

28. 28  If parents/guardians/youth disagree with school, the dispute resolution process is used  Students can continue attending school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any school year in which they move into permanent housing  Students who become homeless in between school years can continue attending the school of origin for the following school year  There is no school of origin in transition years (i.e. elementary to middle; middle to high)

29. 29  Feasibility factors (from U.S. Department of Education Guidance, July 2004)  Age of the child or youth  Distance of a commute and the impact it may have on the student's education  Personal safety issues  Need for special educational services  Length of anticipated stay in a temporary shelter or other temporary location  Time remaining in the school year

30. 30  Student’s best interest is at the forefront  Case-by-case determination  No time or distance limit on transporting student to the school of origin; consider the unique situation of student and how the transportation will affect his/her education Reference Resource: NCHE Brief: “Guiding the Discussion on School Selection” (includes useful checklist for processing best interest ) www.serve.org/nche/briefs.php

31. 31 Benjamin is a fifth grader whose family became homeless and the family is temporarily staying twenty miles from where he attended school before they became homeless. The local liaison and the parents are discussing which school he should attend.  What are some feasibility considerations?  What additional information do you need?

32. 32  States and districts must develop, review and revise policies to remove barriers to school enrollment and retention of homeless children and youth  Definition includes attending classes and participating fully in school activities  Right to enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documentation normally required for enrollment  If student does not have immunizations, or immunization or medical records, local liaison must assist in obtaining them

33. 33  Federal law (McKinney-Vento) supersedes state or local law or practice if there is a conflict [U.S. Constitution, Article VI]  “Prompt and Proper Placement” brief located at: http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/assessment.pdf

34. 34  Districts must transport students to and from the school of origin, if requested by parent or guardian (or by liaison for unaccompanied homeless youth)  If the student’s temporary residence and school of origin are in the same district, that district arranges transportation  If the student is living in one district but attending school in another, the districts decide how to divide the responsibility and cost

35. 35  Districts/charter schools must provide students in homeless situations with transportation services comparable to those provided to other students  Districts/charter schools can consider other safe transportation options beyond the school bus, at their discretion  Districts/charter schools should include funds in their annual budgets for transporting homeless students identified in their school.

36. 36  A student who is homeless and decides to attend a charter school would receive the same type of transportation to the charter school like all other students.  If the charter school does not provide transportation to their students then it is not required to transport a homeless student who enrolls in their school.  The charter school is not responsible for ensuring that a student who is homeless can get to a shuttle stop. However, a charter school may decide to provide transportation to assist the student to the shuttle stop and this is an LEA decision.  A student who is attending a charter school and becomes homeless has the right to receive transportation to the shuttle station or the charter school if a parent cannot provide it. The law reads that it is provided at the request of a parent, guardian or homeless liaison.  When a student who is attending any public school becomes homeless, the school they are enrolled in at the time is their school of origin.

37. 37  Collaboration of the Title I Coordinator and the McKinney- Vento Homeless Liaison are required to determine an appropriate amount for funds to be reserved for homeless students.  Meetings between both should occur throughout the school year so funds are spent appropriately.  The Title I coordinator and the homeless liaison should be very familiar with each other’s program.  Determine which Title I set aside method you will use:  Base amounts on an annual needs assessment for homeless students  Multiply the number of homeless students by the Title IA per pupil allocation  For districts with subgrants, reserve an amount equal to or greater than the MV funding request  Reserve a percentage based on the district’s poverty level or Title IA allocation

38.  Items of clothing to meet a dress or uniform code  Clothing and shoes necessary to participate in physical educations classes  Student fees that are necessary to participate in the general education program (and if they cannot be waived)  School supplies  Birth certificates  Extended learning time (before/ after school, Sat. classes, summer school  Parental involvement specifically oriented to reach out to parents of homeless students  Tutoring services – at shelters or other locations where homeless children stay at night  Counseling services  Outreach services  SAT Testing  GED Testing  Salary of a Homeless Liaison  Excess cost incurred for transportation 38

39. 39  Transportation to/from the school of origin  Rent  Utilities  Clothing for parents  Class rings, yearbooks, or other school year memorabilia Additional information available in NCHE brief titled, “Serving Students Experiencing Homelessness under Title I, Part A,” located at: http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/titlei.pdf

40. 40  States ensure access to public preschool programs  Liaisons ensure children can access Head Start, Even Start, and other public preschool programs administered by the school district  Head Start Act provisions for serving young homeless children www.naehcy.org/early.html  IDEA and homeless liaisons work together to identify, evaluate, and serve children who may need special education services. More on IDEA Child Find at http://www.childfindidea.org/ Identification Tip: When enrolling school-aged children, ask about younger siblings who may be eligible for preschool programs. Reference Resource: NCHE Brief: “Early Care and Education for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness” http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/early-childhood.pdf

41. 41  Automatically eligible for free school meals  Undocumented students have the right to attend public school (Plyler v. Doe) and are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act to the same extent as other eligible students  IDEA has provisions for serving homeless students with disabilities. See www.serve.org/nche/ibt/sc_spec_ed.php

42. 42 If a dispute arises over enrollment or school selection, the school must:  Refer parent, guardian, or youth to the liaison to carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible  Provide parent, guardian, or youth with a written explanation of the school’s decision, including the right to appeal  Discuss a time-line for submitting a dispute to State Coordinator  Admit student immediately and provide all services to which he/she is entitled while the dispute is being resolved  Keep documentation for all interventions – not just formal disputes  Notify State Coordinator of potential dispute Reference Resources: NCHE Brief: “Dispute Resolution” located at: http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/resolution.pdf http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/resolution.pdf North Carolina State Board of Education: Policy on Dispute Resolution Process for Homeless Students located at: http://sbepolicy.dpi.state.nc.us/policies/TCS-C- 020.asp?pri=04&cat=C&pol=020&acr=TCShttp://sbepolicy.dpi.state.nc.us/policies/TCS-C- 020.asp?pri=04&cat=C&pol=020&acr=TCS

43. 43  Does the student meet the definition under McKinney- Vento  The best interest of the student  School stability and feasibility  Enroll immediately  Implement services such as transportation, free meals or other services  Provide student with education supplies and materials  Provide information to parents and unaccompanied homeless youth on the McKinney-Vento Act  School system liability and responsibility

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45. 45 IT’S REQUIRED! U. S. Department of Education requirement for All LEAs and charter schools -- annually! Even if you have “0” students to report. Annual Due Date: June 15th

46. 46  All students identified during the current academic year who have/are attending in your school  Siblings of identified students who are living in the same, or another qualifying homeless situation  Birth to 5: Preschool-Age Siblings  Unenrolled School-Age: Out-of-School Siblings

47. 47  Program Eligibility Date  Program Withdrawal Date (if applicable)  Nighttime Residency Type (at time of identification)  Unaccompanied Youth Status  Status of retention (or not) in prior school year  Status of whether any services were provided in current academic year

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49. 49 14-15 Year

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52. 52  Power School/Home Base questions contact: District PowerSchool Coordinator  McKinney-Vento programmatic questions contact: Patricia Lentz plentz@serve.org 336-574-8724  NCHEP Data Collection page located at: http://center.serve.org/hepnc/data.php

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54. 54  Provide NCHEP with the name and contact information for your designated homeless liaison https://jfe.qualtrics.com/form/SV_2gxWPjFhIvXfHYF  Read the monthly Listserv announcements  Visit our website monthly for new information http://center.serve.org/hepnc /http://center.serve.org/hepnc /

55. NC Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) 1-800-659-3204 www.serve.org/hepnc or http://www.ncpublicschools.org/program- monitoring/homeless/http://www.ncpublicschools.org/program- monitoring/homeless/ National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) 1-800-308-2145 www.serve.org/nche NCHE Technical Brief “ Serving Homeless Children and Youth in Charter Schools,” http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/charter.pdf http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/charter.pdf National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) 1-855-446-2673 www.naehcy.org 55

56. Patricia Lentz, Program Specialist North Carolina Homeless Education Program Phone: (336)574-8724 Fax: (336) 315-7457 E-mail: plentz@serve.org Lisa Phillips, State Coordinator for Homeless Education North Carolina Homeless Education Program Phone: (336)315-7491 Fax: (336) 315-7457 E-mail: lphillip@serve.org 56

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