STUDENTS-IN-TRANSITIONAT-A-GLANCEDeidra Thomas-Murray, MSW, LGSWHomeless Coordinator and Foster Care Liaison

St. Louis Public School DistrictStudents-In-Transition Office801 N. 11Th Street.St. Louis, MO 63101(314) 345-4501deidra.thomas-murray@slps.org

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ACT REAUTHORIZED 2002 BY THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACTMain themes:Support for academic successChild-centered and best interest of the studentSchool stabilitySchool access

AT-A-GLANCE/OVERVIEW

Program Description

Needs Assessment

Operational Manual

WHEN PLANNING AND DEVELOPING YOUR PROGRAMALWAYS use the McKinney-Vento as your guidePlan for a welcoming environmentConsider your population when planning Know the psychosocial factors that impact homeless students and their familiesAvoid assumingAvoid condescending treatment

GET TO KNOW THE CHILDREN THAT YOU SERVICE AND ASK YOURSELF HOW DO YOU KNOW THEM. IS IT THROUGH Assumptions?

Perceptions?

Investigation?

ASSUMPTIONSHomeless children have no place to live Like being aloneDropouts Will never will be anythingDirty Always begging/greedyDumbDo not have parentsAbused Should have their own school

PERCEPTIONSBody odorMatted hairOver eatAngry all the timeDisturbance of emotionsFailing grades/poor test scoresLate or tardy to school frequentlySocially inappropriatedefensiveUse fighting to verbally express themselves

INVESTIGATEAs your guide, always use:

Who? What?

Where?

When?

How?

Why?

INVESTIGATION CONTINUEDWho? Your intended population, the students

What? Identify their needs based on data collected from the student and/or family

Where? At your office, their school, community or home

When? As needed and as often as services are needed

How? Interpret your data; Listen to your students when they tell you how you can best serve them

Why?Federal policy states equal access to the same free, appropriate education as provided to other children and youth

CREATE A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT BY ASKING YOURSELFHow can this be accomplished?What does a supportive environment look like?Do students and their families feel welcomed when they enter your office?Are my supplies in sync with the needs of the students?Am I advocating on behalf of students or creating barriers?Is my program user friendly? What do families say once they leave this office?

YOU ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU KNOW

"Everyone smiles the same language.

Never underestimate the positive power a smile can make to someone. Make someone smile when they enter your program!

CONSIDER THE STUDENT WHEN COMPOSING YOUR INSTRUMENT. BE SURE . . .The instrument answers questions that are relevant to the needs of the student so that your office can maximize the level of assistance.

It is in the students best interest and child- centered.

It is in compliance with the guidelines of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

It is respectful of the students and their families.

Your resources are relative to the students needs.

The outcomes are workable.

HANDS ON At your table, please share what you have done to create a welcoming environment.

What does your staff, co-workers and families say about your program?

What can you change?

Will you change anything?

Has your program grown during your years of service?

How do you measure success?

DEVELOP AN OPERATIONAL MANUAL. IT SHOULD CONSIST OFProgram goals and objectivesAccountability planOrganizational chartDescription of your programProcesses, roles and responsibilitiesBoard approved formsDaily activity logStudent Information System/DatabaseComplaint log Dispute Process

EDUCATE, COLLABORATE AND ENGAGE BY . . .Conducting workshops with staff, district employees, parents/guardians, students, community agencies, shelter staff, deputy juvenile officers (DJO), division of family services (DFS) workers about federal policies as it relates to homelessness.

Utilizing school secretaries, social workers and counselors as a resource to identify and refer students to your office.

Involving the students support network in their educational plan.

BACKGROUND ST. LOUIS PUBLIC SCHOOLSDiscussion about SLPS program and how we evolved through conducting a needs assessmentGrowth and progress of our program.

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