Tools for Impacting Homeless Students’ Lives

Lorain County, OHSeptember 2012

Christina Endrescendres@serve.org

Today’s Blueprint

Identification

Enrollment Considerations

Data: The “Now What?” Factor

Legal Basis

Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

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

Homelessness Defined

Lacks a fixed, regular, & adequate nighttime residence

Doubled-upMotels, hotels, trailer parks, campgroundsEmergency or transitional sheltersAbandoned in hospitalsAwaiting foster care

Homelessness Defined

Public places not meant for habitation

Cars, parks, bus or train stations

Abandoned buildings, substandard

housing

Migratory children in the above

Unaccompanied youth in the above

Identification

Liaisons must:

Ensure students are identified◦Through coordination

Post notice of rights◦Where students receive services

Team Effort

Enrollment StaffStudent Services StaffTeachersSpecial Education PersonnelTruancy/Attendance OfficersTransportation StaffCafeteria Staff

Team EffortSheltersSoup Kitchens & Food BanksTransitional Living ProgramsStreet Outreach Teams & Drop-in CentersCommunity Action Agencies Welfare & Housing DepartmentsHomeless Coalitions/Continuums of Care (CoCs)Public Health DepartmentsFaith-based OrganizationsLow-cost Motels

Common Signs: Academic

Attendance at many different schools Lack of personal records needed to enrollInability to pay fees Gaps in skill developmentMistaken diagnosis of abilities Poor organizational skillsPoor ability to conceptualize

Common Signs: Health

Lack of immunizations and/or immuniza tion records

Unmet medical and dental needs

Increased vulnerability to colds and flu

Sleeping in class

Common Signs: Attendance

Erratic attendance and tardiness

Numerous absences

Lack of participation in after-school activities

Absences on days when students bring treats

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 classmatesConstantly lose supplies, homeworkWorry about safety of possessionsParents avoid schoolParentificationAnxiety late in the school dayMarked change in behaviorDifficulty 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

Other Enrollment Tips

Keep a list of shelters and low cost motels near the registration desk that can be discreetly checked against enrollment forms

Host cooperative enrollment events with Head Start and other similar community agencies

Tips: Beyond Enrollment

Provide regular trainings on recognizing common signs

Involve school personnel and community agencies in the identification process

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

Tips: Beyond Enrollment

Assist with attendance reviews

Engage youth in awareness activities

Review mailing labels and transportation logs

Use the district website

Tips: Youth

Administer surveys to youth

Accept referrals from other studentsProvide outreach to areas where students

might congregate

Incorporate homelessness into lessonsHold 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

Identification

Liaisons must ensure hcy:

Enroll in, & have a full, equal opportunity to succeed in schools

Receive educational services for which they are eligible & referrals for other services

Enrollment Defined

The terms enroll and enrollment include:

Attending classes and participating fully in school activities

Enrollment Considerations

Homelessness can last a day or many years.

Determinations for school placement are based on the best interest of the child.

Transportation services must be offered to homeless students.

Enrollment Considerations

Transportation for extra-curricular activities should be comparable to what’s offered to other students.

UHY are a legally recognized subpopulation with full rights under the law.

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

Enrollment Considerations

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

Title I servicesFree school mealsVocational educationSpecial educationEarly childhood educationAny other program offered by the district

such as alternative education

Data, Data, Data

Required to participate in CSPR collection

Districts enter info into EMIS

States enter it into EdFacts or CSPR

Each year, NCHE releases data summary

http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/data_comp_0909-1011.pdf

What do you want to know?

Got Data? Got Answers!Suspension Rates & ReasonsAcademic PerformanceSchool Stability & Assessment ParticipationAcademic ServicesGeneral Trends: EnrollmentGraduation Rates

Data is a tool to improving student outcomes

Community Impact

Data gives credibility◦Vigo County

Data can help schools get resources◦Mesa County

Data can help programs get resources◦Montgomery County

Considerations

Use comparison groups: subpopulations as required by law

Use comparative data like unemployment rates

Keep in mind group sizes and data quality

What do you want to know?

For More Information

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

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

State Coordinator Tom Dannis, 614-466-4161

NCHE Briefs

Identifying Students in Homeless Situations

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

Determining Eligibility

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

NAEHCY Toolkits

http://naehcy.org/tk/tk.html