EducationofHomelessChildren&YouthMcKinney-Vento 101

Tempe Union High School District

Whatis McKinney-Vento?

▪ The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that seeks to ensure the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth in school.

▪ Recently amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)

▪ Designed to address the challenges that homeless students face when enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school

OUR GOAL▪ To ensure the educational rights and protections for

children and youth who are experiencing homelessness.

▪ To understand the McKinney-Vento Act and make sure that our District is in compliance.

Whoisconsidered homeless?Under the McKinney-Vento Act,

children and youth who lack a fixed,regular, and adequate nighttime residence

are considered homeless for educational purposes.

Definitions▪ FFixed– one that is stationary, permanent, and not

subject to change▪ RRegular – one which is used on a regular (i.e. nightly)

basis▪ AAdequate – one that is sufficient for meeting the

physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments (electricity, running water, etc...)

Whoisconsidered homeless?▪ Sheltered- student living in temporary shelters, such as

homeless shelter, domestic violence shelters, or transitional housing programs

▪ Doubled Up- student temporarily sharing the housing of friends or relatives due to the loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason

▪ Unsheltered- student living in abandoned buildings, campgrounds and vehicles, inadequate trailer parks, bus and train stations, substandard housing or abandoned in ahospital

▪ Hotel/Motel- student temporarily living in a hotel or motel due to a lack of adequate accommodations

Whois Eligible?Determination of eligibility MUST be made on

a case-by-case basis

Children and youth (unaccompanied youth) who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including:

• Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

• Are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations.

• Are living in emergency or transitional shelters

Whoiseligiblecont.• Are abandoned in hospitals,• Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or

private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings,

• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings,

• Migratory children who are living in circumstances described above,

• Unaccompanied Homeless Youth – no parent/guardian

SomeCausesof Homelessness….▪ Lack of affordable housing/Evictions, Runaways▪ Low income/Unemployment/Lack of skills▪ Health & Mental Health Problems▪ Domestic Abuse & Violence, family dysfunction▪ Lack of Safe & Stable Living Environment▪ Physical/Sexual Abuse by a Parent or a Guardian▪ Parent or Guardian Alcohol/Drug Addiction▪ Natural Disasters

CommonSignsof Homelessness▪ Transportation and Attendance Problems

▪ Erratic attendance or tardiness▪ Numerous absences▪ Inability to contact parents▪ Avoid participating in school activities

▪ Lack of Continuity in Education▪ Enrollment at many different schools▪ Lack of records needed for enrollment (birth certificate,

immunization records, etc.)▪ Gaps in skill development

CommonSignsof Homelessness▪ Poor Hygiene

▪ Wearing same clothing for several days▪ Inability to shower or have clean clothing

▪ Not Prepared for Class▪ Lack of basic school supplies▪ Incomplete homework or missing homework▪ Concern for safety of belongings▪ Inability to concentrate▪ Falling asleep in class▪ Frequent illnesses

Rightsofhomelesschildren▪ Students experiencing homeless have the right to remain

in t ttttttttttttttttttttheir school of origin until the end of the academic year that they are permanently housed.

▪ School of Origin: The term “school of origin” means the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled.

▪ School of Residency: The school designated for the attendance area in which the student currently resides.

▪ Immediate enrollment- expedite and remove barriers toenrollment – (regardless of missing documentation) such as school records, medical records, proof of residence, etc.

Rightscont.▪ Transportation- provided to & from the “school of

origin” via school bus or van, City of Tempe Youth Passes (city bus and light rail), or Mileage Reimbursement (determined on a case-by-case basis)

▪ PProvide Appropriate Support Services- including special education (if eligible), free lunch, school supplies and educational materials, hygiene products, eye exams and glasses, clothing and shoes, referrals to community agencies (including emergency food boxes and food banks, housing, medical, dental and mental health, immunization referrals, assistance with birth certificates), help with program costs and school fees, referral and coordination with before and after school tutoring

Support Services▪ PPromote district, school, and community awareness -

district trainings and outreach services

▪ RReview and Revise Policies- that act as barriers to homeless students accessing education (e.g. residency, credit and absence policies)

▪ CCoordinate and Collaborate with state coordinator, state agencies, service providers, advocates and school personnel in-district and other districts to carry out the above tasks

WhyMcKinney-Vento StudentsNeed Services:

“Research shows that frequent school changes have a cumulative affect on students’ achievement that can place them as much as a year behind their peers. ”

(Kerbow, 1996)Students who are highly mobile are also at a greater risk of:▪ Lower academic achievement (due to discontinuity of

curriculum between schools) and 2x as likely to repeat a grade

▪ Dropping out▪ 3x the rate of behavioral problems – anxiety/depression ▪ Get sick 2x as often

Liaisonduties:Ensure: students are IDENTIFIED through outreach and coordination activities. Ensure: students are ENROLLED and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed.Ensure: families & students have ACCESS to and receive educational services they are eligible for (pre school, lunch program…)Ensure: families and students RECEIVE referrals to health, dental, mental, housing and other appropriate services.

Liaisonduties:Ensure: parents/guardians are INFORMED of the educational and related opportunities available…are PROVIDED with meaningful opportunities to participateEnsure: PUBLIC NOTICE of the educational rights is displayedEnsure: DISPUTES are mediatedEnsure: parent/guardian is fully informed of all TRANSPORTATION services and is assisted in accessing these.

What to do if you suspect that astudentis homeless?

● Keep information confidential

● Treat student/family with respect● Notify any McKinney-Vento/Homeless

Liaison

Questionsor Assistance

SSchool-LevelSite/Campus-Level Homeless Liaisons

Tempe High School- Lillian Gomez McClintock High School- Monica Griffin

Marcos de Niza High School- Claudia Ramirez Corona del Sol High School-Michelle KozimorMountain Pointe High School- Bryan Sabato

Desert Vista High School- Helen Hale Compadre Academy – Mary Donnelly

Anne Jauregui District – David Moise

Questions???

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McKinney-Vento 101 Follow-Up Quiz and Attestation

McKinney-Vento101 Follow-Up