1. Providing Services Within the Context of a Large Urban School District NAEHCY Conference Fall 2008

2. Affordable Housing in Our Cities  Los Angeles  Minneapolis  Saint Paul

3. Homeless Population in Los Angeles County In Los Angeles County there are 73,702 homeless families based on the HUD definition Only 58% of our families utilize Public Assistance

4. Shelters in Los Angeles  4,240 emergency shelter beds available- need is 16:1  7,869 transitional shelter beds available- need is 9:1  85% of homeless families are unsheltered  85% of shelters regularly turn families away due to lack of beds  Fewer shelters are available for families with two parents or with older children Fact Sheet: Family Homelessness November 2007, LACEHH http://www.bringlahome.org

5. LAUSD

6. Los Angeles Unified School District  710 total square miles- encompass 29 cities  Over 878 comprehensive school sites  1,190 total school sites including alternative education settings  537 school-wide Title I schools  694,288 K-12 students  73% Latino and 11% African American  12% Special Education  72% Free and Reduced Lunch  12,087 homeless students identified in 2007-2008 www. lausd.net

7. Pre-Resolution Program The LAUSD Homeless Education Program was established in 1988. From 1988-2006, one PSA Counselor position existed to address the needs of thousands of homeless youth. Due to limited staffing, full compliance with the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act was not feasible. Program services were restricted to:  Token distribution  Data entry  Limited resource referrals

8. Homeless Education Task Force On October 28, 2005, former LAUSD Board member Jose Huizar convened a taskforce to address the barriers to the academic success of homeless youth. Several community organizations, Board representatives, and District staff held a series of meetings and identified concerns including:  Lack of immediate enrollment and attendance  Inability to enroll due to lack of paperwork  Unequal access to school programs and services  Inappropriate placement of Special Education students  Suspensions and non-attendance due to lack of transportation or proper attire

9. Access For All Resolution On January 24, 2006, the LAUSD School Board passed the “Access for All Resolution” pertaining to the educational rights of homeless students. Key resolution provisions:  Expand the LAUSD Homeless Education Program  Establish a Homeless Collaborative to include District personnel, county agencies, community-based agencies, and parents and caregivers  Train Local District and school site personnel regarding the educational rights of all homeless students  Identify and train the homeless education liaisons at the school sites and Local Districts

10. Program Supports Homeless Program Support  1 Coordinator  5 Homeless Education Counselor/Advocates  2 Parent Resource Liaisons  4 Pupil Services and Attendance Aides  1 Office Technician  1 Administrative Aide School Site Support  School Administration  Designated School Site Homeless Liaison  Clerical  Parent Center Representatives  Support Service Personnel

11. Next Steps  Implement Bulletin 1570.1 – Enrollment/Support of Homeless Children and Youth in Schools, March 5, 2008  Train Designated School Site Homeless Liaison  Continue to train District staff, parents and community agencies  Increase collaborative initiatives resources on behalf of homeless youth and their families  Research available funding sources  Expand outreach efforts to parent organizations  Finding innovative ways to deal with current economy and housing crisis  Finding additional resources for “difficult to place” families

12. About Us MinneapolisSaint Paul Enrollment35,00041,444 Number of Homeless5548/30001592 Number of Schools91110 Free and Reduced65.6%69.5% Number of Emergency Shelter Beds >1000<100

13. Student Demographics SPPSDistrictHomeless Asian American 30%3% African American 30.%68% Caucasian26%10% Hispanic13%11% American Indian 1%7% MPSDistrictHomeless Asian American 9%6% African American 40%64% Caucasian30%6% Hispanic17%4% American Indian 4%7%

14. Program Approaches  Minneapolis Shelter office coordination for school enrollment services Identification at registration and by school staff Profession development classes & supported research Preschool screening and ECFE classes at shelters High School Support Teams Attendance Support to School Teams Building Bridges-school social worker demonstration project Research projects with University of MN Institute of Child Development and Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare Advocacy work with City, State and Community Development Organizations

15. Program Approaches  Saint Paul Is a shelter and street-based program that promotes school stability and academic success of homeless children and youth. Utilizes a homeless enrollment form at registration so families and youth can self identify as homeless. Our doubled up families have increased over 100% in one year as a result. (31% of all homeless) Has homeless contacts at each school who refers families to program staff. The Homeless Liaison participates in community meetings regarding ending long term homelessness in the community Current research study with NCHE ECFE at two family shelters

16. Program Approaches  Los Angeles: Rely on combination of referrals/identification from schools, agencies, and parents to identify homeless students and provide services. Utilize Student Residency Questionnaire and Program Services Request Form. Policy also provides school with a Needs Assessment form to be able to guide conversation regarding what student and family need assistance with- referrals to tutoring, after school programs, shelter, food, etc. Conduct trainings to school and district personnel, agencies, shelters, and parents regarding rights and responsibilities as well as how to access services.

17. Big City Challenges  Compliance with McKinney/Vento  What is the expectation of your position within your district? Management vs. Direct Service?  Organizational Structure; Where are you? Is it a good fit?

18. Big City Challenges  Community Involvement  School Board Involvement  Enrollment Disputes  Has Mk/V been integrated into curriculum instruction and the work of support staff?

19. Contact Information MinneapolisSaint Paul Elizabeth HinzBecky Hicks Student Support ServicesFunded Programs 425 NE 5 th St. 2102 University Ave. W Minneapolis, MN 55413Saint Paul, MN 55114 zhinz@mps.k12.mn.us becky.hicks@spps.org

20. Contact Information Homeless Education Program 1430 South San Julian Street, Building 7 Los Angeles, California 90015 (213) 765-2880 – Unit Phone (213) 765-3867 – Unit Fax Melissa Schoonmaker, Pupil Services and Attendance Coordinator Angela Chandler, Homeless Education Counselor/Advocate