Charlotte County Public SchoolsEducation Project for Students “in Transition”

Helping students in temporary accommodations to achieve academic

success! One Child,

One School, One Year.

February 2015

Feb 2015

Have you ever experienced a flood, fire, hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster?

Do you live in a household with no more than one full-time wage earner?

Are housing costs in your area increasing faster than wages?

Does anyone in your family struggle with addictions such as drugs or alcohol?

Have you, a family member, or friend ever suffered from a sudden, chronic, or long-term illness that kept you from earning a living?

Have you or know of someone that has experienced domestic violence and been forced to move?

How vulnerable are you of losing your regular living quarters?

Feb 2015

Who is eligible?

Students living in domestic violence shelters, teen parent shelters or runaway shelters

Students on the street, abandoned buildings or vehicles

Students living in public spaces: woods, parks or tents

Students in transition who lack a fixed, or regular, or adequate nighttime residence:

Feb 2015

Who is eligible?

Students living in temporary trailer parks, campgrounds or substandard housing due to lack of alternative accommodations

Students living in low rent hotels/motels due to lack of alternative accommodations

Students sharing the house, mobile home or apartment of other persons due to lack of alternative accommodations, dwelling eviction or hardship (Doubled-Up)

Feb 2015

Who is eligible? Students not in the physical custody of a

parent or guardian, living in unstable or inadequate housing accommodations (Unaccompanied Youth)

Students awaiting foster care placement Students abandoned in hospitals Migratory students who qualify as

homeless because they are living in the circumstances described above

Feb 2015

McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment

Proof of Date of BirthProof of ImmunizationPhysical ExaminationProof of Residency

Feb 2015

McKinney-Vento Act: School Placement

If the student moves into permanent housing during the school year, the student can finish that academic year in the school of origin.If a student enrolls in a new school near the temporary housing and then moves to a third attendance area, they may attend either the school near the initial temporary housing or the school the student attended when permanently housed.

The student must be allowed to attend their school of origin to the extent feasible, unless that is against the wishes of the parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth.School of Origin – The school the student attended when permanently housed, or the school in which the student was last enrolled.

42 U.S.C. Section 11432(g)(3)

Feb 2015

McKinney-Vento Act: Placement Disputes

If the school district sends a homeless child or youth to a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth, the school district must:

Immediately enroll the student in the school in which enrollment is sought, while the dispute is being resolved. Provide a written explanation of its decision. Notify of their right to appeal the placement decision. Refer to the Homeless Liaison to ensure disputes are resolved objectively and expeditiously.

Student must be enrolled immediately in their school of choice

Feb 2015

McKinney-Vento Act: Placement Disputes (Cont.)

Inter-district disputes shall be resolved by the FDOE.

The Homeless Liaison must be notified.

The liaison will address any policies or procedures that are identified as barriers to enrollment.

Feb 2015

Educational Rights of Unaccompanied Youth

The Homeless Liaison will:

Help unaccompanied youth select and enroll in school, after considering the youth’s wishes.

Inform them of their rights to transportation to the school of origin and assist with arranging transportation.

Inform them of their right to appeal school selection decisions counter to their wishes.

Inform school personnel or requirements of the law and needs of youth.

Work with police and social services regarding mandatory reporting to ensure that care is exercised to keep a youth in school and serve his/her best interest.

Unaccompanied youth (a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, living in unstable or inadequate housing accommodations) have the same rights as other students experiencing homelessness.

Complete Appendix 18 – Caregiver’s Authorization Form

from the Guidelines for Student Registration

Feb 2015

This School Year as of February 2015

We have served 397 students This represents approximately 233

families We have served 63 unaccompanied

youth this school year On average we have certified 57 new

students per month

Feb 2015

03 - 04 28704 - 05 163905 - 06 66306 - 07 49807 - 08 36608 - 09 37609 - 10 44110 - 11 490

FIVE YEAR TREND DATA

13 - 14 519

400

420

440

460

480

500

520

09 - 10 10 - 11 11 - 12 12 - 13 13 - 14

441

495 488 493

519

Academic School Year

Feb 2015

Charlotte County Public Schoolsas of February 2015

Englewood/El Jobean Area

Myakka River Elementary 10

LA Ainger Middle School 10

Lemon Bay High School 20

Vineland Elementary 7

Total # of Students 47

Feb 2015

Port Charlotte/Murdock Area Academy 26 Charlotte Harbor Center 5 Kingsway Elementary 9 Liberty Elementary 27 Meadow Park Elementary 21 Murdock Middle School 34 Neil Armstrong Elementary 27 Peace River Elementary 25 Pt Charlotte High School 38 Pt Charlotte Middle School 32 Total # of Students 244

Charlotte County Public Schoolsas of February 2015

Feb 2015

Punta Gorda/Burnt Store/Deep Creek Area Baker Center 4 Charlotte High School 27 Deep Creek Elementary 11 East Elementary School 34 Punta Gorda Middle School 20 Sallie Jones Elementary 7 Charlotte Virtual School 1 FL SW Collegiate H.S. 2

Total # of Students 106

Charlotte County Public Schoolsas of February 2015

Feb 2015

School Support Services

Expedite and remove barriers to enrollment

Promote parent awareness and involvement for student academic achievement

Referral and assistance to after-school enrichment programs

Provide reading tutorial services

Certify for free school meals

Assist with school supplies and educational materials

Feb 2015

School Support Services

Assist with school clothing, uniforms & shoes Assist with payment of programs and school fees Provide referrals for medical, dental and mental

health services Coordinate transportation to school of origin Monitor student academic progress, attendance

and behavior Counseling intervention to parents/students Assist in resolving school placement disputes

Feb 2015

Additional Family Services Available

Provide information on community

resources for assistance with housing,

utilities, prescriptions, entitlement

programs, etc…

Provide assistance for emergency food

Provide assistance with personal hygiene

items

Provide assistance with bed linens & towels

Feb 2015

Additional Family Services Available

Assist parents, guardians or

unaccompanied youth with school

transportation costs

Assist with obtaining reconditioned-

computers, equipment & software

Coordinate holiday assistance

Provide children with reading books

Feb 2015

Special Thanks to our Partners and Supporters

Agape Int’l Church of GodAlpha Delta KappaAmerican Legion Rotonda

West # 113Burnt Store Presbyterian

Church – PGCharlotte County Homeless

CoalitionChrist Community United

Methodist ChurchCommunity Eye CenterEmpty Bowls Project at

CCPS

First Presbyterian Church of PCGFWC Rotonda West Woman’s Club Pilgrim United Methodist Church of PCRotonda Elks Lodge #2710St Andrews South Golf ClubTrinity Anglican ChurchUnitarian Universalist Fellowship of Charlotte Co.Yah Yah Girls, Inc.Many Generous Local Charlotte County Residents

Feb 2015

For support and informationFor support and information

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)

http://www.naehcy.org

National Center for Homeless Education

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

Feb 2015

Charlotte County Public Schools Education Project for Students “in Transition”

Homeless Education ProjectRenee Rebhan3131 Lakeview Boulevard

Port Charlotte, FL 33948

(941) 255-7480Website: http://www.yourcharlotteschools.net/community/hmls.cfm