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Providing Services Within the Context of a Large Urban School District
NAEHCY Conference Fall 2008
Affordable Housing in Our Cities
Los Angeles
Minneapolis
Saint Paul
Homeless Population inLos Angeles County
In Los Angeles County there are 73,702 homeless families based on the HUD definition
Only 58% of our families utilize Public Assistance
Shelters in Los Angeles
4,240 emergency shelter beds available- need is 16:1 7,869 transitional shelter beds available- need is 9:1 85% of homeless families are unsheltered 85% of shelters regularly turn families away due to
lack of beds Fewer shelters are available for families with two
parents or with older children
Fact Sheet: Family Homelessness November 2007, LACEHH http://www.bringlahome.org
LAUSD
2659
6035
13282065
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
Homeless Student Residency Information 2008
Shelters Dbld/Tripled Up Unsheltered Hotels/Motels
Los Angeles UnifiedSchool District
710 total square miles- encompass 29 citiesOver 878 comprehensive school sites1,190 total school sites including alternative education
settings537 school-wide Title I schools694,288 K-12 students73% Latino and 11% African American 12% Special Education72% Free and Reduced Lunch12,087 homeless students identified in 2007-2008
www. lausd.net
Pre-Resolution Program
The LAUSD Homeless Education Program was established in 1988. From 1988-2006, one PSA Counselor position existed to address the needs of thousands of homeless youth.
Due to limited staffing, full compliance with the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act was not feasible.
Program services were restricted to: Token distribution Data entry Limited resource referrals
Homeless Education Task Force
On October 28, 2005, former LAUSD Board member Jose Huizar convened a taskforce to address the barriers to the academic success of homeless youth.
Several community organizations, Board representatives, and District staff held a series of meetings and identified concerns including:
Lack of immediate enrollment and attendance Inability to enroll due to lack of paperwork Unequal access to school programs and services Inappropriate placement of Special Education students Suspensions and non-attendance due to lack of transportation
or proper attire
Access For All Resolution
On January 24, 2006, the LAUSD School Board passed the “Access for All Resolution” pertaining to the educational rights of homeless students.
Key resolution provisions:
Expand the LAUSD Homeless Education Program
Establish a Homeless Collaborative to include District personnel, county agencies, community-based agencies, and parents and caregivers
Train Local District and school site personnel regarding the educational rights of all homeless students
Identify and train the homeless education liaisons at the school sites and Local Districts
Program Supports
Homeless Program Support
1 Coordinator 5 Homeless Education Counselor/Advocates 2 Parent Resource Liaisons 4 Pupil Services and Attendance Aides 1 Office Technician 1 Administrative Aide
School Site Support
School Administration Designated School Site
Homeless Liaison Clerical Parent Center
Representatives Support Service
Personnel
Next Steps
Implement Bulletin 1570.1 – Enrollment/Support of Homeless Children and Youth in Schools, March 5, 2008
Train Designated School Site Homeless LiaisonContinue to train District staff, parents and community
agencies Increase collaborative initiatives resources on behalf of
homeless youth and their familiesResearch available funding sourcesExpand outreach efforts to parent organizationsFinding innovative ways to deal with current economy and
housing crisisFinding additional resources for “difficult to place” families
About Us
Minneapolis Saint Paul
Enrollment 35,000 41,444
Number of Homeless 5548/3000 1592
Number of Schools 91 110
Free and Reduced 65.6% 69.5%
Number of Emergency Shelter Beds
>1000 <100
Student Demographics
SPPS District Homeless
Asian American
30% 3%
African American
30.% 68%
Caucasian 26% 10%
Hispanic 13% 11%
American Indian
1% 7%
MPS District Homeless
Asian American
9% 6%
African American
40% 64%
Caucasian 30% 6%
Hispanic 17% 4%
American Indian
4% 7%
Program Approaches
Minneapolis• Shelter office coordination for school enrollment services• Identification at registration and by school staff• Profession development classes & supported research• Preschool screening and ECFE classes at shelters• High School Support Teams• Attendance Support to School Teams• Building Bridges-school social worker demonstration project• Research projects with University of MN Institute of Child
Development and Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare• Advocacy work with City, State and Community Development
Organizations
Program Approaches
Saint Paul• Is a shelter and street-based program that promotes school
stability and academic success of homeless children and youth.
• Utilizes a homeless enrollment form at registration so families and youth can self identify as homeless. Our doubled up families have increased over 100% in one year as a result. (31% of all homeless)
• Has homeless contacts at each school who refers families to program staff.
• The Homeless Liaison participates in community meetings regarding ending long term homelessness in the community
• Current research study with NCHE• ECFE at two family shelters
Program Approaches
Los Angeles:• Rely on combination of referrals/identification from
schools, agencies, and parents to identify homeless students and provide services.
• Utilize Student Residency Questionnaire and Program Services Request Form. Policy also provides school with a Needs Assessment form to be able to guide conversation regarding what student and family need assistance with- referrals to tutoring, after school programs, shelter, food, etc.
• Conduct trainings to school and district personnel, agencies, shelters, and parents regarding rights and responsibilities as well as how to access services.
Big City Challenges
Compliance with McKinney/Vento What is the expectation of your position
within your district? Management vs. Direct Service?
Organizational Structure; Where are you? Is it a good fit?
Big City Challenges
Community Involvement School Board Involvement Enrollment Disputes Has Mk/V been integrated into curriculum
instruction and the work of support staff?
Contact Information
Minneapolis Saint Paul
Elizabeth Hinz Becky HicksStudent Support Services Funded Programs425 NE 5th St. 2102 University Ave. WMinneapolis, MN 55413 Saint Paul, MN 55114
Contact Information
Homeless Education Program
1430 South San Julian Street, Building 7
Los Angeles, California 90015
(213) 765-2880 – Unit Phone
(213) 765-3867 – Unit Fax
Melissa Schoonmaker, Pupil Services and Attendance Coordinator
Angela Chandler, Homeless Education Counselor/Advocate
