Homeless Education Program

121 N. Beaudry Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012 http://homelesseducation.lausd.net

Save the Date!

Los Angeles Unified School District Pupil Services

Homeless Education Program Newsletter

Senior Luncheon As the 2014-2015 school year comes to an end, the Homeless Education Program would like to thank everyone who has supported

our students and families. One of the last events of the school year is by far the most important, the Senior Luncheon. This year, over 60

graduating seniors will be invited to the Skirball Cultural Center where they will honored for their hard work. These students have

faced adversity head on and never lost hope. Some of the students will also be awarded with the H.O.P.E scholarship to support their

first year of college. There is no better way to end the year than celebrating success!

HEP Senior Luncheon May 21, 2015

2015-2016 School Year Begins August 18, 2015 The first day back for students is Tuesday, August 18th. School staff

returns Monday, August 17th.

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Coordinator’s Message

First, I want to thank those of you who attended our 2015 Symposium! We enjoyed a fantastic and inspiring day.

Now, it is that time of year again- graduation, prom, summer vacation - an exciting time for many of our students. It is important to remember that many of our students have faced a multitude of challenges during the school year. In fact, over one-fifth of homeless kids do not even go to school regularly. For those who do, school still poses substantial obstacles every day due to their circumstances. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that many of our students quickly fall behind. That is why it is even more amazing when we hear the stories of our homeless graduating seniors. These students demonstrate perseverance, resilience, and courage. We are excited to celebrate their achievements at our upcoming senior luncheon. I also want to acknowledge the contribution of each of you in the lives of our students and families. You may have been the helping hand that was critical to their success. Each of you make a difference in their lives and for that we are grateful to share these successes with all of you!

As always, please contact me so that we can work together or if you have any questions, concerns or comments.

I look forward to another exciting new year to come in the fall!

Nancy Gutierrez Program Coordinator

Skirball Cultural Center 11a.m. – 1p.m.

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HOMELESS EDUCATION PROGRAM SUMMER 2015

LAUSD District Reorganization Effective July 1, 2015, the Los Angeles Unified School District will be organized into six geographically based regions known as “districts”. Each district will contain less than 100,000 students and less than 150 schools. This reorganization will allow superintendents to work more closely with the schools in their area. Please see the map below to view the new districts:

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Parent Engagement What is the difference between a good school and a great school? Parent involvement. It is true that students whose parents are involved do better in school. Children learn to place importance on the things that are important to their parents. It is almost May and school will be over soon. Take time to reflect on this past year. How was your personal effort at engaging parents? What about the effort of the school as a whole? Here are some questions to help get you and the entire school staff

1. Where are we regarding our communications to and from parents?

2. In what ways are schools, parents, families, and the community working together effectively?

3. In what ways do we encourage volunteer participation?

4. What might we do differently to work together more effectively?

5. What are the possible benefits when all stakeholder groups work together?

Parent involvement is a team effort. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” ― Helen Keller

Thank you so much for all of your help supporting our program through your referrals and the distribution of schools supplies and services to our students and their families. A few general reminders to help expedite services and improve our efficiency: • Please remember to submit both pages of the

Student Residency Questionnaire (BUL 1570.2) when referring students to our program, including the service request section even if the family does not request assistance.

• Please also add a new record indicating the families living situation under the Census tab in MiSiS.

• Lastly, please attach a Student Residency Questionnaire to every enrollment packet and/or emergency card request so that all students have an opportunity to be identified as the new school year begins.

Thank you again for all of your support, we look forward to another successful school year! -The Homeless Education PSA Aides

Aide’s Corner

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HEP Symposium

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Public Council, who gave updates and shared resources that are much needed among homeless students.

The event had breakout sessions, where attendees chose to attend workshops on trauma-informed therapy to legal resources for unaccompanied youth.

The Homeless Symposium ended with Chrishone Dickerson, Mental Health Consultant with LAUSD, reminding everyone on the importance of self-care in order to be effective with clients. Thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a success!

Resources Important Numbers and Websites

211 - LA County - Info Line www.211la.org

Public Counsel – (213) 385-2977 www.publiccounsel.org

LA Food Bank – www.lafoodbank.org

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On Tuesday April 14th, the Homeless Education Program held their second annual Homeless Symposium. The event touched on many important topics that are affecting homeless children and their families.

Opal Singleton, President and CEO of Million Kids, was the key note speaker and spoke on sex trafficking in Los Angeles County and how vulnerable homeless children can be to this crime. Her speech was moving and eye opening.

Attendees also heard from Paul Curtis, Executive Director from California Coalition for Youth and Paul Freese, Vice President with

Legislative Update AB 1733 After July 2015, each local registrar or county clerk shall issue, for FREE, a certified record of live birth to any person who can verify his/her status as a homeless person, child or youth. A parent can request a free birth record for each eligible person (including their children) that is verified as a homeless person, child or youth under the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless. Currently, a person who is below specific income level requirements can obtain a new or replacement identification card (California ID card) for $6. However, on and after January 1, 2016, an original or replacement identification card will be issued for FREE to any person who can verify his/her status as a homeless person, child or youth. A school district liaison will be able to verify a student’s homeless status for both documents. An implementation plan is currently being developed and we will provide updates as we learn more.

CONTACT US: Nancy Gutierrez, Program Coordinator Luis Munoz, Senior Office Technician

Main Line (213) 202-7581 Fax (213) 580-6551

http://homelesseduation.lausd.net

POSITION STAFF CONTACT Senior Parent Community Facilitator Tammy Wood [email protected] (213) 202-7571

ESC East PSA Counselor Jaime Corral [email protected] (213) 202-7512 PSA Aide Michelle Cabrera [email protected] (213) 202-7520

ESC North PSA Counselor Angela Midgette [email protected] (213) 202-7574 PSA Aide Kimberly Alvarez [email protected] (213) 202-7579

ESC South PSA Counselor Crisalia Aranibar [email protected] (213) 202-7516 PSA Aide Blanca Becerra [email protected] (213) 202-7523

ESC West PSA Counselor Laura Ewing [email protected] (213) 202-7513 PSA Aide Natividad (Judy) Luna [email protected] (213) 202-7522

PSA Counselor Special Populations Ana Quintero [email protected] (213) 202-7511 Targeted School PSA Counselor

• Cabrillo ES • Hollenbeck MS

• 9th St. ES • Union ES

Monica Santana [email protected] (213) 202-7517

Targeted School PSA Counselor: Rosa Parks LC

La Salle ES Maclay MS Telfair ES

Katie Rivezzo

[email protected] (213) 202-7515


Documents

Homeless Education Program