a presentation for parents kids without homes: a school district responds
TRANSCRIPT
A Presentationfor
Parents
Kids Without Homes:A School District
Responds
Contact Information
• Name:
• Office Phone:
• Other Phone:
• Email:
Homeless Education Liaison
Increasing Awareness
Could you -- orsomeone you know --
experience …
• a natural disaster
• a job cut-back or layoff
• loss of sole wage-earner’sincome
• a negative change to currentlifestyle
Increasing Awareness
Could you -- orsomeone you know --
experience …
• loss of health coverage andother benefits
• being routinely behind onpaying bills
• high balances on credit cards
Increasing Awareness
Could you -- orsomeone you know --
experience …
• inadequate health-care benefitsfor a family member needinglong term care
• a family member’s addiction
• wages that don’t keep up withrising housing costs and taxes
Stereotypes of Homelessness
Homelessness in Texas
Poverty is most common in families that rely on a single mother’s income
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Overview
Effects of poverty and homelessnesson children in our state and ourcommunity
The McKinney-Vento HomelessAssistance Act
Ways to ease life for our homelessstudents
Major Topics
Homeless Children in Texas
Current Estimate
140,000+
Federal Law
defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our public schools
The McKinney-VentoHomeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act says that children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are homeless
• Common problems
• Effects of poverty and homelessness
• Emotional and social difficulties
Life is difficult for our homeless students
Increasing Awareness
The McKinney-Vento Act
• Immediate Enrollment
Key Provisions of the Law
• Choice of Schools
• Transportation
• Services
• Dispute Resolution
Texas Education Code
specifies that a student who is homeless is entitled to admission in any Texas school district
Chapter 25 of the Texas Education Code
The entire Code is available online athttp://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm
The McKinney-Vento Act
• Attend their school of choice
For homeless parents, the law means their children have the right to:
• Enroll immediately withoutdocumentation
• Receive Title I assistance
• Receive free school meals
The McKinney-Vento Act
School districts must set aside a portion of Title I funds to assist students in homeless situations
Title I Funds
The Homeless Education Liaison
• every school district isrequired to have a homelesseducation liaison
The McKinney-Vento Act mandates that . . .
• the liaison is required toperform specific tasks
Resources for Parents
• General Provisions
• Classes / Activities / Programs
Parent Rights Guide
published byThe Texas Education Agency
Resources for Parents
• Educational rights
• School and health records
• High expectations for your child
• Question school staff
Quick Tips
Assisting Our Homeless Students
• Contribute
• Volunteer
• Advocate
• Educate
can make a difference!You
Additional Handouts
• Application for BVS Certificatefor School Admission (English)
• Application for BVS CertificateSchool Admission (Spanish)
• Off to School in Texas
• Free School Meals
Contact Information
• Name:
• Office Phone:
• Other Phone:
• Email:
Homeless Education Liaison