MCPSS Compliance Training for School Administrators & Staff 2010-2011

1. McKinney-Vento Homeless Education MCPSS Compliance Training for School Administrators & Staff 2010-2011

2. Presentation Outline • Barriers to Enrollment & Academic Success • McKinney-Vento Purpose and Requirements • Homeless Education Definitions & Special Considerations • McKinney-Vento focus on Educational Stability • Enrollment Procedures • When to Consider School of Origin • Why Transportation is Important • Dispute Resolution Procedures • Homeless Education Trend Data

3. Barriers to Enrollment For Homeless Students • Birth certificates • Immunization and medical records • Residency requirements • School records • Legal guardianship • Transportation to or from temporary residence

4. Barriers to Academic Success For Homeless Students • Frequent mobility • Lack of staff awareness and sensitivity • Inability to complete school assignments • Lack of psychological services • Poor health and inadequate medical care • Physical needs -- food, clothing, health care

5. Attendance policies Secondary school credit accrual Legal guardianship requirements Barriers to Academic Success High School Students Youth ages 14 and up face additional barriers to school enrollment, for example:

6. Federal Law The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll, attend and succeed in our public schools.

7. The McKinney-Vento Act Every school district is required to have a homeless education liaison whoMUSTperform specifictasks as required by law. REQUIRES:

8. McKinney-Vento Definitions The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act says that children & youth who lack a fixed, regular andadequate nighttime residence are homeless. Homelessness:

9. McKinney-Vento Definitions When families “double up” because one family is experiencing loss of housingor economic hardship, the family is considered homeless. Doubled-Up:

10. McKinney-Vento Definitions The school that is attended by a student at the time homelessness began is considered to be the school-of-origin. School-of-Origin:

11. McKinney-Vento Definitions A student not living in the physical custody of his/her parent is considered to be an unaccompanied youth. Unaccompanied Youth:

12. McKinney-Vento Act Special Considerations • Children in migratory families • Children with parent(s) serving abroad in the military • Unaccompanied youth not living with a parent or legal guardian

13. The McKinney-Vento Act Providing Educational Stability By: • Keeping students in school of origin • Extending “homeless” status throughout the duration of homelessness • Removing barriers to enrollment

14. The McKinney-Vento Act Immediate Enrollment NO DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED!!!!!

15. The McKinney-Vento Act Immediate Enrollment If a student is HOMELESS or believed to be homeless, he/she MUST be enrolled immediately without providing the necessary documentation upon enrollment!

16. The McKinney-Vento Act Immediate Enrollment MCPSS Homeless Education social workers & staff will assist on a case-by-case basis to ensure that ALL necessary documents are presented to the school within a timely manner.

17. Obtaining Student Data Student Residence Questionnaire (SQR) Routine inquiries about residency help determine which students might be eligible for assistance because they meet the legal definition of homelessness as defined by McKinney-Vento. Therefore, each parent is required to complete a SQR at registration/enrollment.

18. Obtaining Student Data Acceptable Documents AFTER Enrollment • Proofs of residency • Birth certificate • School records • Health records & immunizations

19. Why School of Origin? Which School is in a Student’s Best Interest? School of origin (if requested and feasible) or School of residency???

20. Why School of Origin? Which School is in a Student’s Best Interest? McKinney-Vento states that a homeless student has the RIGHT to remain in his/her school-of-origin if requested by parent and feasible for the student according to the U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

21. Why School of Origin? Feasibility Criteria Set Forth by the U.S. Department of Education • Must be student-centered, individualized • Must consider the age of the child/youth • Must consider the safety of the student • Must consider student’s length of stay in shelter

22. Why School of Origin? Feasibility Criteria Set Forth by the U.S. Department of Education • Must consider student's need for special instructional programs • Must consider the impact of commute on education • Must consider student’s time remaining in the school year

23. Why School of Origin? What Research Tells Us About The Effects Of Mobility • Students who switch schools score 20 points lower on standardized tests • Mobility also hurts non-mobile students • It takes children 4-6 months to recover academically after changing schools • Mobility during high school greatly diminishes likelihood of graduation

24. Dispute Resolution Resolving Enrollment Disputes • Every state must establish procedures to promptly resolve disputes • The student must be immediately admitted to the school of choice (origin or residency) • The school must provide a written explanation of its decision • The school must refer the child, youth, parent or guardian to the liaison

25. Transportation • School districts must provide transportation for homeless students to the their school of origin. • School districts that provide transportation to the school of origin have documented increased attendance and increased achievement, resulting in increased funding to the district.

26. Support for Academic Success • Special Services i.e. special education, ESL, gifted etc. • Free Lunch • Referral Services • Parent information and education

27. Uniforms Please Keep In Mind: • Students cannot be denied access to school due to lack of uniform items, i.e. pants, shirts, belts, shoes • Be prepared to assist your students with uniforms • Operate a used uniform closet at your school • Partner with your PTA and Partners in Education to purchase uniforms

28. Homeless Education DATA

29. Homeless Children in Mobile County Identified Homeless Students in the Mobile County Public School System 2008-2009 school year 2,262

30. Identified Homeless Students in the Mobile County Public School System 2009-2010 school year Homeless Children in Mobile County 3,223

36. Services Provided to Homeless Students Uniforms/School Supplies Medical/Dental/Mental Health Referrals Emergency Food/Housing/Utility Assistance Referrals Bus Passes/Transportation Arrangements Case Management for Students and Families Advocacy (Administrative, IEP, Court, Agencies, Landlords) School/Document/Graduation/Field Trip Fees Professional Development/Homeless Awareness Trainings Parent Training Enrollment/Custody/School Guardianship Assistance

37. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of homelessness. Larissa Dickinson, LGSW lndickinson@mcpss.com 251-221-4283 Denise Riemer, LCSW-PIP driemer@mcpss.com 251-221-4279 EMERGENCY Vickie Price 251-221-4275