NEW TOOLS TO ENGAGE THE WHOLE Community IN MCKINNEY-VENTO

1. November, 2011 pjulianelle@naehcy.org NEW TOOLSTO ENGAGE THE WHOLE Community INMCKINNEY-VENTO

2. Engaging the Whole School District and Community in McKinney-Vento Identification Free meals Transportation Maximizing Resources Donations Connecting youth and families with services Host homes Increasing sensitivity of school staff

4. Engaging the Whole School District and Community in McKinney-Vento • What gaps can you identify with awareness in your school district? • At the district-wide level • At the school building level • What gaps can you identify with awareness in your community? • Other education programs • Service providers (homeless and general) • Civic groups • Faith community

5. Engaging the Whole School District and Community in McKinney-Vento • New Tools to involve your school district • MV-FAFSA Week and tools for counselors • Dropout Prevention and Recovery • MV 101 in Spanish • “The McKinney-Vento Act in Our Schools” • New Tools to involve your community • “The McKinney-Vento Act in Our Schools” • HEARTH Act

6. MV-FAFSA Week • Target is high school counselors, teachers and students • Meant to boost identification at HS level, especially unaccompanied youth • Meant to ensure that ALL unaccompanied youth complete the FAFSA correctly

7. What is MV-FAFSA Week? • Counselor provides all seniors (or all students) with definition of unaccompanied homeless youth and how it affects the FAFSA. • Students who feel they may meet the definition can choose to visit the counselor. • Counselor determines if they meet definition, connects to services, and assists with FAFSA. • Minimal time investment; no cost; school can choose when and how to implement.

8. How Can I ImplementMV-FAFSA Week? • Ready-made Kit awaits you • Intro info on unaccompanied youth, McKinney-Vento, and the FAFSA • MV Identification Checklist for Counselors • FAFSA Tip Sheet for Counselors • Sample talking points for counselors • Sample script for teachers • Sample letter for seniors • Sample newsletter announcement

9. Where is thisMV-FAFSA Week Kit? • Part of NAEHCY’s new Unaccompanied Youth Toolkits • One for school counselors and liaisons • One for college FAAs • One for shelter providers www.naehcy.org

10. Two other New Tools • Tools targeting Dropout Prevention and Recovery Programs • 2-page brief (definition, practical strategies, resources) • Power Point presentation • For Spanish-speakers: MV 101 Power Point in Spanish • Email pjulianelle@naehcy.org if you want them!

11. And Now the Moment I’ve Been Waiting For: “The McKinney-Vento Act in Our Schools” Video Series • 70 interviews in 11 school districts in Texas, with and without MV subgrants • 2 videos for community awareness • 8 videos designed for PD with specific groups: • Social workers • Counselors • Principals • Registrars • Federal programs directors • Superintendents, school board members • MV Liaisons • Shelter providers

12. Now You’ve Seen a Couple… • How could you use these in your district? • What school/district personnel? • What training opportunities? • How to get on the agenda? • How could you use these in your community? • What organizations/agencies? • What training opportunities? • How to get on their agendas?

13. If You Need More Copies… • DVDs are available for purchase here at the Conference. • NAEHCY Membership Table • DVDs are available for purchase on eBay. • “McKinney-Vento Act in Our Schools”

14. Collaboration with Continuum of Care and HUD-funded service providers • The HEARTH Act now requires CoCs and HUD-funded service providers to: • Collaborate with schools on identification • Provide notice of MV education rights • Strive to keep children close to school of origin • Enact policies to support children’s and youth’s education rights • Designate an education contact person • http://naehcy.org/hudnofa.htm

15. Engaging the Whole School District and Community in McKinney-Vento:What Has Worked for You? • Who? • How? • Results?