THE MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT: A Brief Overview

The Role of Schools When Students Experience Homelessness

Sandy Johnson Homeless Education CoordinatorIowa Department of Education Equity Training Day, January 2014

Homeless EducationA Brief Overview

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education ActTitle X, Part C of ESASA Brief Overview

Causes of HomelessnessLack of affordable housing ForeclosuresPovertyEconomic recessionUnemploymentHealth problemsLack of health insuranceAddition disordersMental healthDomestic ViolenceNatural or other disastersAbuse/neglect (unaccompanied youth)

How many children & youth experience homelessness? Schools collect data on enrolled students known to be experiencing homelessnessNationwide, 1,065,794 homeless students indentified by public schools in the 2010-11 school year; an increase of 57% from the 2006-07 school year (pre-recession). 10% of all children living in poverty1.6-1.7 million youth experience a runaway or throwaway episode each year.

Unaccompanied Youth - Homeless on Their OwnSome youth become homeless with their families, but end up on their own due to lack of space in temporary accommodations or shelter policies that prohibit adolescent boysMany unaccompanied youth have fled abuse and/dysfunction in the home.National studies have found that 20-40% of unaccompanied youth were sexually abused in their homes; 40-60% were physically abused.Over two-thirds of callers to Runaway Hotline report that at least one of their parents abuses drugs or alcohol.21-53% of homeless youth have a history of out-of-home care through the child welfare systemSome have been thrown own for a variety of reasons sexual orientation, pregnancy, behavior disagreements, etc.

What does homelessness look like in Iowa schools?2012-13 School YearIowa schools reported 6,968 homeless students PK-12

Primary Nighttime ResidenceIn Iowa, school districts reported the following homeless student counts & their primary nighttime residence in 2012-13:

Living Doubled-up 4899Shelters, Transitional housingAwaiting Foster Care 1466Hotels/Motels 511Unsheltered 92Total Homeless Students 6,968

Definition of Homeless Who Qualifies for Services Who is considered homeless according to McKinney-Vento

Homeless definition on handouts

Children/youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including;Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason (doubling-up).Old (incorrect) definitions are still out there..

Definition of HomelessLiving in motels, hotels, camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodationsLiving in emergency or transitional sheltersAbandoned in hospitalsCamp groundsUnaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY)Awaiting foster care placement

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= Equal Access =Homeless students have equal access to all programs: Special Ed., ELL programs, Vocational Ed., Gifted programsHomeless students automatically qualify for Title I, Free school meals, and after school programs. Homeless preschoolers may be given priority enrollmentUnaccompanied homeless youth have the right to enroll without a legal guardian

Barriers to Education for Homeless Children and YouthEnrollment requirements (school records, health records, proof of residence)High mobility resulting in lack of school stability and educational continuityLack of access to programsLack of transportationLack of school supplies, clothing, etc.Poor health, fatigue, hungerPrejudice and misunderstandingLack of awareness about homelessness (including the definition) and about mandated and available servicesDespite these barriers.School is both a safety net and a ladder out of poverty and homelessness

StabilityTeachers, counselors, nurses, and other adult mentorsPathway to higher educationExperiencing SuccessFriendsMealsSense of normalcySelf-esteemSafetyTalents & interestsJob SkillsMcKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; reauthorized by Title X, Part C of ESEA

Helps Remove BarriersMain Themes: School StabilitySchool accessSupport for academic success

Helps students considered homeless to enroll and succeed in schoolRequires each state to have a McKinney-Vento State CoordinatorRequires each public school district to have a Local Homeless Education Liaison

District Liaison All local school districts must have a homeless liaisonDistrict liaisons must ensure that:Homeless children & youth are identifiedHomeless students enroll in, and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in, the schools of the districtHomeless families, children, and youth receive educational services

District Liaison cont.Parents or guardians are informed of educational opportunities available to their childrenPublic notice of the educational rights is disseminatedEnrollment disputes are mediatedLiaisons are required to assist homeless unaccompanied youth in placement and enrollment decisions

District Liaison cont.Liaisons are required to ensure that homeless unaccompanied youth are immediately enrolled in schoolLiaisons are required to assist children and youth who do not have immunizations Liaison are required to collaborate with school personnel, the local community, and the state coordinator Liaisons Determine Eligibility Determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by examining the living arrangement of each child/youth

Some instances will be clear cut; others will require further inquiry and maybe a judgment callUse fixed, regular, and adequate as the guiding principle; if the living arrangement does not meet all three criteria, it likely will be considered a homeless situationLiaisons must get the facts & analyze the facts

Determining Eligibility Doubled upMcKinney-Vento defines double-up as sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasonConsiderations:Why did the family move in together/ Due to a crisis or mutual choice as a plan for mutual benefit?How permanent is the living arrangement intended to be?Where would the family live if not doubled up?Is the living arrangement fixed, regular, and adequate?

Determining Eligibility Awaiting Foster Care PlacementChildren in foster care face high residential and school mobility academic challenges, educational discontinuityEligibility must be reviewed in the context of the state and local child welfare policiesIn Iowa, awaiting foster care placement/emergency placement is typically under 30 days - another move would be anticipated for the childChildren in foster care do not qualify as homeless

School Selection Students experiencing homelessness have the right to attend one of two schools:

1. Local Attendance Area School Any public school that students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend

2. School of OriginThe school attended when permanently housed, orThe school in which the student was last enrolled

School Selection cont.For school selection, a best interest determination must occur; ideally, the parents and school dialogue and come to an agreement; if there is disagreement, the dispute resolution process is usedStudents can stay in their school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing

If a student is sent to a school other than that requested by a parent or guardian, the district must provide a written explanation to the parent or guardian of its decision and their right to appealSchool Selection cont.If a student becomes homeless in between school years, he/she can continue attending the school of origin for the following school yearStudents can stay in their school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing

Feasibility - Sample CriteriaContinuity of instructionAge of the child/youthSafety of the studentLength of stay in shelter or temporary housingStudents need for special instructional programsImpact of commute on educationSchool placement of siblingsTime remaining in the school yearImmediate EnrollmentEnroll and enrollment are defined to include attending classes and participating fully in school activities

Homeless children must be immediately enrolled

No prior records are needed, but should be obtained by the enrolling school as quickly as possible

This includes birth certificates, social security numbers, immunizations records, transcripts, and other recordsEnrollment StrategiesTrain all school enrollment staff, secretaries, school counselors, school social workers and principals on the legal requirements for enrollmentReview and revise District policies, as necessaryDevelop residency forms to replace typical proof of residencyAccept school records directly from families and youthEstablish school-based immunization clinic or other opportunities for on-site immunizationsTransportationDistricts must transport homeless students to and from the school of origin, at the parent's or guardian's request (or the liaisons request for unaccompanied youth)If the student is living outside the district of origin, the district where the student is living and the district of origin must determine how to divide or share the responsibility and costDistricts must provide students in homeless situations with transportation services comparable to those provided to other students

Transportation StrategiesCoordinate with local housing authorities and placement agencies to house students near their school of originRe-route school buses (including special education or other buses), and ensure that buses travel to shelters, transitional living programs , and motelsIf the districts cannot agree on who will pay the costs, the districts must share the costs equallyTransportation StrategiesProvide passes for public transportation, including passes for caretakers when necessary

Reimburse parents, guardians, or homeless unaccompanied youth for gas

Use approved van or taxi services

Use local funds for transportation

Dispute ResolutionWhenever there is a disagreement, the school must:Provide a written explanation to parents/youth, including the right to appeal. Contact liaison to assist in settling the dispute with parents, guardian, or youth. Liaison carries out the dispute resolution process at the local level. Immediately enroll student in school according to parents wishesKeep the student enrolled until the dispute is settledProvide transportation to the school of originIf dispute is not resolved at the district level, refer case to the stateTitle I RequirementsHomeless children are by definition automatically eligible for Title I servicesRequires set aside reservation to be placed in Title I application budget for categorical fundingThis reservation requirement is not formula driven. The amount reserved is to be determined by the district, as appropriateRequires a description of the Title I services to be placed in the Title I application

Title I Set AsideEstablish a formula to allocate Title I set-asides for homeless children and youth

Use Title I funds (including set-aside funds) to meet the basic needs of students experiencing homelessness (school supplies, health/hygiene supplies, clothing to meet school dress requirements)

Use Title I funds to provide tutoring and/or outreach services to children and youth living in shelters, transitional living programs, motels, and other temporary residencesProhibited Uses of Title I Set AsideDo not pay for:Transportation to/from the school of origin for the regular school day

Rent (Never pay for rent with Title I funds)UtilitiesClothing for parentsAccess to ServicesHomeless students are automatically eligible to receive free school meals; the USDA permits local liaisons and shelter directors to qualify homeless students for free meals by providing a list of names with effective dates

IDEA includes special provisions for serving homeless students with disabilities.

Undocumented students have the right to attend public school (Plyer v. Do) and are covered by the McKinney-Vento Act to the same extent as other eligible students.ResourcesNational Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youthwww.naehcy.org

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)www.serve.orgNCHE Helpline 800-308-2145

ContactLocal Homeless Education LiaisonContact your local school district administration office

State Coordinator for Homeless EducationSandy JohnsonIowa Department of EducationSandra.johnson@iowa.gov515-281-3965

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)http: //www.serve.org800-308-2145

Education is the only permanent solution to poverty. And Im a firm believer, having worked in homelessness, that education is the only permanent solution to homelessness.

Kathy Cox, Administrator of YMCAs Transitional Living Center in El Paso, TXMcKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Purpose and Evolution of Homeless Education

Find kids; Get them in School; Count them; Find out how they are doing; Actually help them grow.