1. California Department of Education and Los Angeles Unified School District NAEHCY Conference November 2009 Title I and Homeless Education Program Collaboration: Bridging the Gaps

2. Workshop Overview This workshop will address:  The importance of collaboration with Title I  The importance of local educational agency (LEA) and community engagement  How to identify strategies to establish an effective partnership and creative program services

3. Possible Program Funding Sources  Title I  McKinney-Vento Assistance Grant  General Fund  Other Grants

4. Title I Regulations NCLB, Title I, Part A, Title X, Part C, Education for Homeless Children and Youth  The LEA shall reserve Title I, Part A funds to provide comparable services to homeless children that assist them to effectively take advantage of educational opportunities as provided to children in schools funded under Title I, Part A. This reservation requirement is not formula driven. The LEA shall reserve funds as are necessary to provide comparable services.

5. Title I Regulations (Cont.)  LEAs will demonstrate coordination with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Title X, Part C.

6. Title I Regulations (Cont.)  LEAs will adopt policies and practices to ensure that homeless children and youths are not stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their status as homeless.

7. Title I Regulations (Cont.)  LEAs will designate an appropriate staff person as a LEA liaison for homeless children and youths, who will fulfill his/her required duties and ensure equal access to a free, appropriate public education for homeless children and youths.

8. Title I Regulations (Cont.)  LEAs will adopt policies and practices to ensure that transportation is provided or arranged for homeless children and youths, at the request of the parent or guardian, to and from the school of origin for the duration of their homelessness.

9. Title I Reservation Set Aside  The reservation is not determined by a set formula  It is determined by the LEA, as appropriate  Varies by state

10. Examples of Set Aside Determinations Method #1: Identify homeless students’ needs and fund accordingly. Method #2: Obtain count of homeless students, and multiply by Title I, Part A per-pupil allocation.

11. Examples of Set Aside Determinations (Cont.) Method #3: Reserve an amount of funds greater than or equal to the amount of your Mckinney-Vento subgrant request. Method #4: Reserve a specific percentage based on your district’s poverty level or Title I, Part A allocation.

12. Consolidated Application

13. Allowable Uses for Homeless Education Set Asides  Provide academic support as well as non-academic support to homeless students in non-Title I schools  Provide activities other than direct instruction that promotes student achievement  Meet basic needs (clothing, supplies, health) of homeless students  Support homeless liaison position  Hire special teachers, aides, and tutors to provide supplemental instruction  Reach out to parents in homeless situations  Provide before-, after-school, or summer programs  Collect data on homeless students  Provide emergency food while the student is in school, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks

14. Allowable Uses for Homeless Education Set Asides (Cont.)  Defray costs for medical, vision and dental expenses  Pay fees associated with obtaining birth certificates or immunizations  Pay the cost of General Education Development Test (GED) for homeless students  Pay the cost of GED for homeless parents  Provide transportation to and from after-school programs  Provide transportation to and from the school of origin after the child becomes permanently housed  Provide the cost of cap and gown to wear at graduation  Provide the cost of class projects or field trips

15. The Story of a Small Program in a Large District

16. Los Angeles Unified School District Facts  710 total square miles  Encompass 29 cities  Over 885 K-12 school sites  1,081 total school sites including alternative education settings  537 School-wide Title I schools  688,138 K-12 students  12,489 identified homeless students  www.lausd.net

17. Los Angeles Unified School District Facts (Cont.)

19. Pre-Resolution Program The LAUSD Homeless Education Program was established in 1988. From 1988-2006, one Pupil Services and Attendance 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

20. Homeless Education Task Force On October 28, 2005, a task force meeting was convened by a LAUSD School Board member to address the barriers to the academic success of homeless youth. Title I Coordinator was a participant. 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

21. 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  Provide update to the Board every 6 months

22. Title I and the Homeless Education Program Ongoing Communication and Coordination  Relationship and trust building  McKinney-Vento grant signature support  Consolidated Application  Title I ranking  Review support each year to the Title I and non-Title I schools  School-wide Title I training  Budget development  Programmatic monitoring  Share data reports, case counts, etc.

23. Community Outreach  Collaborative Efforts Create a community collaborative or task force ▪ Involve district and school personnel (including Title I), school board members and city council persons ▪ Need the community to keep issue in front  Media/ Public Relations Radio Newspaper Event announcements  Share news with district, school personnel, and community partners

24. Next Steps  Establish working relationship with Title I office  Expand policy implementation  Bring message to district staff, parents, and community agencies  Include or increase collaborative initiatives resources on behalf of homeless youth and their families  Expand research for available funding sources  Expand outreach efforts to parent organizations

25. Leanne M. Wheeler, Consultant California Department of Education Title I Accountability & Partnerships Office 916-319-0383 Melissa Schoonmaker, Coordinator Los Angeles Unified School District Homeless Education Program 213-765-2880 Contact Information