Who Are Children Experiencing Homelessness?

Legal Basis• McKinney-Vento Act (education

subtitle)– 42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.

• Homeless definition– 42 U.S. C. § 11434a et seq.

A copy of the law & USED Guidance:http://center.serve.org/nche/m-v.php

Homeless Definition

Lacks a fixed, regular, & adequate nighttime residence

Includes: • Doubled-up • Motels, hotels, trailer parks,

campgrounds• Emergency or transitional shelters• Abandoned in hospitals• Awaiting foster care

Homeless Definition

• Public places not meant for

habitation

• Cars, parks, bus or train stations

• Abandoned buildings, substandard

housing

• Migratory children in above

situations

• Unaccompanied youth in above

situations

Liaisons Must• Post notice of rights

– Where students receive services

• Ensure students are identified– Through coordination with school

personnel & community agencies– For services within the school program &

community

Team Effort• Enrollment Staff• Student Services Staff• Teachers• Special Education Personnel• Truancy/Attendance Officers• Transportation Staff• Cafeteria Staff

Team Effort• Shelters• Soup Kitchens & Food Banks• Transitional Living Programs• Street Outreach Teams & Drop-in Centers• Community Action Agencies • Welfare & Housing Departments• Homeless Coalitions/Continuums of Care

(CoCs)• Public Health Departments• Faith-based Organizations• Low-cost Motels

Common Signs: Academic

• Attendance at many different schools • Lack of personal records needed to

enroll• Inability to pay fees • Gaps in skill development• Mistaken diagnosis of abilities • Poor organizational skills• Poor ability to conceptualize

Common Signs: Health• Lack of immunizations or immuniza

tion records

• Unmet medical & dental needs

• Increased vulnerability to colds & flu

• Sleeping in class

Common Signs: Attendance

• Erratic attendance & tardiness

• Numerous absences

• Lack of participation in after-school activities

• Absences on days when students bring treats or special projects are due

Common Signs: Space Issues

• Lack of shower facilities, washers, etc.

• Wearing same clothes for several days

• Inconsistent grooming

• Consistent lack of preparation for school

• Incomplete or missing homework

• Unable to complete special projects

Common Signs: Behavioral• Refuse invitations from classmates• Constantly lose supplies, homework• Worry about safety of possessions• Parents avoid school• Parentification• Anxiety late in the school day or year• Marked change in behavior• Difficulty trusting

Enrollment Questionnaires• Can be used to screen for eligibility

• May be incorporated into eligibility questionnaires for multiple programs

• Any that suggest homelessness can be directed to the liaison

center.serve.org/nche/downloads/toolkit2/app3a.docx

Other Enrollment Tips• Keep a list of shelters & low cost

motels near the registration desk that can be discreetly checked against enrollment forms

• Host cooperative enrollment events with Head Start & other similar community agencies

• Provide information during Kindergarten enrollment

Tips: Beyond Enrollment• Provide regular trainings on

recognizing common signs

• Involve school personnel & community agencies in the identification process

• Make personal contacts with staff at motels, low-cost health facili ties, police stations, & other public ser vice facilities

Tips: Beyond Enrollment• Assist with attendance reviews

• Engage youth in awareness activities

• Review mailing labels & transportation logs

• Use the district website

Tips: Youth

• Administer surveys to youth

• Accept referrals from other students• Provide outreach to areas where

students might congregate

• Incorporate homelessness into lessons• Hold a school convocation on

homelessness

General Tips

• Keep an eye out for social cues

• Offer to talk to families privately

• Avoid the “H” word

• Get to the concern beyond the stigma

• Tailor information to audience

• Consider MOUs, release forms,

newsletters

Additional Considerations• Homelessness can last a day or

many years.

• Identifying a student as homeless is not the same as making a school placement determination.

• Transportation services must be offered to homeless students.

Additional Considerations• Extra-curricular transportation must

be comparable to what is offered to other students.

• Unaccompanied homeless youth are a legally recognized subpopulation with full rights under the law.

• Districts & states are required to revise & remove barriers for homeless students.

Additional Considerations

In addition to general enrollment, students have the right to:

• Title I services• Free school meals• Vocational education• Special education• Early childhood education• Any other program offered by the district,

such as alternative education

NCHE Resources

Identifying Students in Homeless Situations

center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/identification.pdf

Determining Eligibility

center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/det_elig.pdf

Chapter 3 of the Liaison Toolkit

center.serve.org/nche/downloads/toolkit2/ch3.pdf

For More Information• NCHE Website

http://center.serve.org/nche/

• NCHE Helpline 800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org

• Kenya Haynes, State Coordinator 307-777-3672 or

kenya.haynes@wyo.gov