1. > Tom Corbett, Governor Ron Tomalis, Secretary of Education Title of Presentation > Tom Corbett, Governor Ron Tomalis, Secretary of Education Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Have the Right to a Free Appropriate Public Education

2. > www.education.state.pa.us McKinney-Vento Homeless Act On July 22,1987 the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act became public law. This was the first comprehensive federal law dealing with the problems of homelessness in America. Recently included in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act, it is now called the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001. As a first step in 1988, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) established the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program. This program has been responsible for assessing Pennsylvania’s homeless children population, developing the appropriate responses and establishing McKinney-Vento Homeless sites. 2001 Reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act originally enacted in 1987. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

3. > www.education.state.pa.us McKinney-Vento Homeless Act (Cont.) The McKinney Vento Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence including those who are “awaiting foster care placement.” The State Educational Agencies (SEAs) shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths. Requires educational access, attendance, and success for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Provides states with funding to support statewide initiatives and fund local education agencies. A local educational agency may use funds awarded to carry out the purpose of Act including the 16 authorized activities. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

4. > www.education.state.pa.us Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program Program Goals: * Expedite the enrollment process. * Remove the educational barriers that may exist. * Ensure that transportation is provided at the request of the parent or guardian to and from school of origin, if in the best interest of the student, and to the extent feasible. * Provide services according to the McKinney-Vento Act 16 authorized activities. * Assist children and youth to meet state standards for core academic subjects by providing students with supplemental enrichment opportunities. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

5. > www.education.state.pa.us Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (Cont.) There are eight regional project sites statewide with at least one full-time regional coordinator per region. There are also 8 site coordinators (satellite sites) within the regions. Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) must designate an appropriate staff person as a LEA liaison for homeless children and youth. There must be a minimum of 200 children and youth experiencing homelessness per region in order to apply for funds. Only LEAs are entitled to the funds as per USDOE guidelines. A local educational agency may use funds awarded to carry out the purpose of Act including 16 authorized activities. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

6. > www.education.state.pa.us Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (Cont.) Is a statewide program that covers all 499 school districts, 29 intermediate units, 144 public charter schools and 12 full-time career technical schools. During 2011-2012 the PDE’s program provided services to18,231 students enrolled in LEAs. During 2011-2012 the PDE reported 19,914 children and youth served by the local regional offices. During 2011-2012 the PDE reported sub-groups of homeless students served were: Unaccompanied youth 3,765; migratory youth 458; children with disabilities 3,774; and limited English Proficient (LEP) 984. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

7. > www.education.state.pa.us Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (Cont.) SEA Responsibilities: Responsible for planning, developing and implementing the requirements by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act. Develop, coordinate and implement a State Plan to address the requirements of the Act. Plan, develop, coordinate, assess and evaluate the services provided to the Pennsylvania’s homeless children and youth. Develop and coordinate a competitive application process, distribute the funds accordingly and monitor the implementation of the program at the local/regional level. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

8. > www.education.state.pa.us Pennsylvania's Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (Cont.) SEA Responsibilities: Report data (EdFACTS/CSPR) to USDOE as requested. Facilitate coordination between the PDE and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare and other state, local and private agencies providing services to homeless children and youth. Provide technical assistance and monitor the local/regional areas. Provide a dispute resolution process using the Enrollment Complaint Form and the Procedural Safeguards Notice of Denial of Enrollment Form in the BEC. Develop and coordinate the distribution of publications for the LEAs, shelters and/or social agencies. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

9. > www.education.state.pa.us State and Local Policies Pennsylvania Department of Education BASIC EDUCATION CIRCULAR Education For Homeless Youth 42 U.S.C. §11431 et seq. Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

10. > www.education.state.pa.us Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program Contact Sheldon WinnickCarmen M. Medina State CoordinatorDivision Chief717-783-6466 swinnick@pa.govcmedina@pa.gov http://www.education.state.pa.us PDE Search: Homeless Children Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness