Compliance Trainingfor

Teachers

Kids Without Homes:A School District

Responds

Contact Information

• Name:

• Office Phone:

• Other Phone:

• Email:

Homeless Education Liaison

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

Overview

Poverty and homelessnessin our community

The McKinney-Vento Act Possible signs of homelessness

or running away Common stressors Ways to work with homeless

students

Major Topics

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

Stereotypes of Homelessness

Homelessness in Texas

Poverty is most common in families that rely on a single mother’s income

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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

• Common problems

• Effects of poverty and homelessness

• Educational needs

• 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 at:http://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

Increasing Awareness

• Who may be experiencinghomelessness?

• Who may be on the vergeof running away?

Know the possible signsof homelessness . . .

Increasing Awareness

• Transient / unstable lifestyle

• Living in crowded conditions

• Frequently changing schools

• Inadequate personal hygiene

• Shabby or unclean clothing

• Poor health / nutrition

Stress factors

Assisting Our Homeless Students

• changing schools frequently

• lacking access to basic resources

• constant moves

Employ realistic strategies in response to the stresses of:

Assisting Our Homeless Students

• Respond to stresses withpractical solutions

• Brainstorm with colleagues

• When appropriate, referstudent to a school counselor

Meeting the challenge

Tutoring Programs

Consider the possibilities!

• Encourage parents andcommunity members toshare their time and skills

• Conduct tutoring sessionsin a variety of locations

• Use the Links to Literacyhandbook as a resource

Assisting Our Homeless Students

• Professional development

• Immediate assistance

• Continuing care

• Expanding outreach

• Effective communications

can make a difference!You

Contact Information

• Name:

• Office Phone:

• Other Phone:

• Email:

Homeless Education Liaison