Archived Information

The information in this presentation is archived for

historical and reference purposes only.

PurposeTo provide formula grants to the 50 State educational agencies (SEAs), Bureau of Indian Affair, and insular areas, to enable States to provide all homeless children and youth equal access to the same free appropriate public education, as provided to other children and youth.

Appropriations FY 1995 28.8 million FY 1996 23.0 million FY 1997 25.0 million FY 1998 28.8 million FY 1999 28.8 million FY 2000 28.8 million

Status of Program Currently all 50 States are participating in

the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program. (except District of Columbia).

Subgrants LEAs must designate a homeless liaison Subgrants can be awarded for a period not to

exceed 3 years Subgrants must be awarded on the basis of

need and quality of the application Currently there are only 546 Subgrants

which represent about 3% of the total School Districts in the country

Number of Homeless Children and Youth

1989 - 272,773 1991 - 327,416 1993 - 744,266 1997 - 841,730

Barriers Reasons Homeless Children and Youth Are

Not Attending School– Lack of Transportation to or from temporary

residence

– Lack of school records - academic, health and immunization

– State guardianship/residency requirements not uniformly interpreted by school;

– Lack of birth certificates

Unique Needs of Homeless Children and Youth

Tutoring/Remediation (44 States) Transportation (40 States) Preschool Programs (39 States) Records Transfer (24 States) Enrollment (23 States) Special Education (20 States)

Coordination with other Federal Programs

Title I requires that districts provide services for homeless children and youth. Homeless children and youth are automatically eligible to receive Title I services by virtue of their homelessness alone.

Title I Requirements States have developed or adopted

challenging content standards and challenging student performance standard and an aligned set of assessments for all students. -- Sec.1111

Title I Requirements Reservation of Title I Funds - a local education

agency shall reserve such funds as are necessary under this part to provide services comparable to those provided to children in schools funded under this part to serve where appropriate eligible homeless children who do not attend participating schools, including providing educationally related support services to children in shelters. -- Sec. 1113

These funds can be used for:– Basic medical equipment (glasses, hearing

aids etc.)– Compensation of a coordinator if necessary– Professional development and awareness

raising to assist teachers in meeting the needs of homeless children and youth.

Title I Requirements

Inclusion of homeless programs and activities in consolidated plans and local education agency plans in meaningful and substantiative way.

For Example:

Same high standards for students performance of homeless children and youth as for non-homeless children and youth.– Parental involvement activities

– Parent/teacher/student compacts

– Flexible meetings for parents

– Necessary professional development to assist teachers in meeting needs of homeless children

Homeless Children and Youth

Other Title I Opportunities– RIF (Reading Is Fundamental)– LEA/Shelters collaborations (Learning Doll

Project)– Coordinated services between Title I and

Homeless Program– Library Programs and Services

Key Policy Issue

Separate Schools Outreach to Homeless Youth Enrollment of Pre-School Children Immediate Enrollment

States have successfully reduced many barriers to enrollment--however the level of success varies.

• Immunization -- Most states have addressed.

• Guardianship -- Still presents a significant barrier.

• Transportation -- The major remaining barrier.

Youth ages 12 and up face additional barriers to school enrollment; for example, attendance policies and secondary school credit accrual.

TRENDS #1: Barriers to Enrollment

TRENDS #2: Barriers to Success

Frequent mobility Lack of awareness and sensitivity Inability to complete school assignments Lack of psychological services Poor health and inadequate medical care Physical needs -- food, clothing, health care

TRENDS #3: Access to Special Programs and Services

Homeless children have difficulty accessing the following programs and services

Special Education Head Start Gifted and Talented Even Start Programs for English language learners

Clearinghouse

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) is a component of the educational organizations associated with the school of Education headquartered at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

– The goals of the NCHE are to:• Disseminate important resources and referral information

related to the complex issues surrounding the education of homeless children

• Foster collaboration among various organizations with interest in addressing the education of homeless children

• Promote national grassroots awareness of homeless issues.

For more information about NCHE contact:

Dr. Beth Garriss, DirectorNational Center for Homeless Education at SERVE

1100 West Market Street, Suite 300Greensboro, North Carolina 27403

1-800-755-3277Email: homeless@serve.org

orbgserv@aol.com