McKinney-Vento Act: Children and Youth

Experiencing Homelessness

Information on Enrollment of Homeless Students

Rocklin Unified School DistrictHomeless Liaison – Amanda Makis

916-630-3318amakis@rocklin.k12.ca.us

The Scale of Homelessness

Source: National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. (1990). Out of sight–Out of mind? A report on anti-homeless laws, litigations, and alternatives in 50 United States. Washington, DC: Author.

• Up to two million people will experience homelessness in the United States this year.

• Up to 80,000 public school students will experience homelessness in California this year.

• Each year the Rocklin community has more than 125 students experiencing homelessness.

• Families are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population.

These characteristics could be attributed to students with other issues as well as those students experiencing homelessness.

Possible Signs of Homelessness

• Attendance at several schools• More than one family at the same

address• Attention-seeking behavior• Hunger and hoarding of food• Poor hygiene and grooming• Sleeping in class• Inappropriate dress for the

weather

• Some common statements used by homeless students include:

o “We've moved a lot.”o “We’re staying with relatives/

friends while looking for a place.”

o “We're going through a bad time now.”

We need to identify all homeless students within the district – Please notify your district liaison in regard to all newly identified homeless students

District LiaisonAmanda Makis

• All local educational agencies must have a district liaison• The district must ensure that:

• Homeless children and youth are identified• Homeless students enroll in, and have full and equal

opportunity to succeed in, the schools of the LEA• Homeless families, children, and youth receive

educational services

District LiaisonContinued…

• Parents or guardians are informed of educational opportunities available to their children

• Public notice of the educational rights is disseminated

• Enrollment disputes are mediated• Liaisons are required to assist unaccompanied youth

in placement/enrollment decisions

Who is homeless?• Any individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime

residence, including children and youth who are:o Sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship.

o Or, children not living with their parent.o Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to

lack of alternative adequate housing.o Living in emergency or transitional housing, respite, or shelters.o Awaiting foster care or in the Children’s Receiving Home.o Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings,

substandard housing, or bus or train stations.o Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is

a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations.

o Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in the circumstances described above.

How to Notify the District Liaison of a Newly Identified Homeless Student

• Complete and Send to the District Liaison:– Homeless Student Referral Form– Homeless Student Services Checklist– Housing Declaration Form (optional)

These forms provide verification of homeless identification and service provision. The forms should be filled out completely prior to submission.

McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment

o Proof of residencyo Guardianshipo Birth certificates, school records, or

other documentso Medical records, including

immunization records o Required dress code items, including

uniforms

• Requires public schools to immediately enroll students experiencing homelessness even when lacking:

McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment

• (Depending on the best interest of the student) School placement in:

o School of origin, if the parent wishes and it is feasible•“School of origin” is the school the child attended when

permanently housed or last enrolledo School in area of current (homeless) residency

• Educational rights posted in:o All public schoolso The community

• Access to school for unaccompanied youthThe Act requires Enrollment and Attendance of homeless students immediately upon

identification.

McKinney-Vento Act: Transportation

• Requires that the school district ensure transportation is provided, at the request of the parent or guardian (or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the liaison) to and from the school of origin

•(At the district’s determination), Transportation may be provided by RUSD, public transportation services, or by the parent with reimbursement from the district

• Upon awareness of transportation needs, the school site should contact RUSD transportation to make arrangements.

Transportation StrategiesContinued…

• Provide passes for public transportation, including passes for caretakers when necessary

• Take advantage of transportation systems used by public assistance agencies

• Reimburse parents, guardians, or unaccompanied youth for gas

• Use approved van or taxi services

• Use local funds for transportation

McKinney-Vento Act:

Student Success Requirements• Immediate assessment of academic status

• Title One Comparable services for all homeless students at all schools

•Homeless children are by definition automatically eligible for Title I services

• Free Lunch• Free Transportation

• Liaison collaboration between social service agencies and school districts

School District• Set aside Title I funds. • Ensure enrollment.

Schools• Enroll students in free breakfast and lunch programs.• Contact transportation and assist with transportation arrangements.• Ensure access to appropriate instructional supports/resources.• Conduct an educational assessment. • Provide homeless awareness training.• Alert teachers of a student's living situation (respecting privacy).

Addressing Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness

Teachers • Make the student feel welcome.

• Assign a peer buddy to help the student get acquainted with the school and classroom.

• Make contact with the parents.

• Give the child ownership of school space (e.g., cubbie, locker, etc.).

• Assess student in regard to academic needs within the first week of attendance

• Provide intervention to achieve academic proficiency.

Addressing Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness, cont’d.

• Reduce school entry stress.

• Promote academic success through encouraging words and actions that recognize the gains made.

• Use tutoring and after-school programs to provide academic support.

• Increase access to services and activities.

Working With Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

• Encourage supportive relationships.

• Establish consistent boundaries.

• Have high expectations.

• Recognize stressful environments outside of school, and provide accommodations for homework. (For example, the child may not have the means to be able to make a collage or do a science project outside of school.)

o Provide needed supplies.

o Provide time and space in the school.

Working With Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness, cont’d.

Education is the key to breaking the cycle of homelessness…and,

all of the previous information also applies to

children in formal and informal foster care

placements.

Please notify the liaison regarding all foster

children in your school.

Congratulations!

• Thank you for caring about our homeless children and viewing this presentation.