Removing Barriers & Finding Families

1. Removing Barriers & Finding Families Increasing the Identification of Homeless Students 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

2. Legal Basis Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act A copy of the law and USDE Guidance: http://center.serve.org/nche/m-v.php 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

3. Identification Liaisons must: • Ensure students are identified • Through coordination • Post notice of rights • Where students receive services 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

4. Identification Liaisons must ensure hcy: • Enroll in & have a full, equal opportunity to succeed in schools • Receive educational services for which they are eligible & referrals for other services 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

5. Team Effort • Enrollment Staff • Student Services Staff • Teachers • Special Education Personnel • Truancy/Attendance Officers • Transportation Staff • Cafeteria Staff 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

6. Team Effort • Shelters • Soup Kitchens & Food Banks • Transitional Living Programs • Street Outreach Teams & Drop-in Centers • Community Action Agencies • Welfare & Housing Departments • Homeless Coalitions/Continuums of Care (CoCs) • Public Health Departments • Faith-based Organizations • Low-cost Motels 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

7. Common Signs • Erratic attendance and tardiness • Absences on days when students bring treats • Refuse invitations from classmates • Unmet medical and dental needs • Sleeping in class • Gaps in skill development 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

8. Identification Considerations • Homelessness can last a day or many years. • Identification must be case-by-case. • UHY are a legally recognized subpopulation with full rights under the law. • Districts and states are required to revise and remove barriers for homeless students. 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

9. Identification Considerations In addition to general enrollment, students have the right to: • Title I services • Free school meals • Transportation • Vocational education • Special education • Early childhood education • Any other program offered by the district such as alternative education 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

10. Homeless Enrollment by County 1-50 51-149 150-299300-500 501-10001001-1999 2000+ White Background = 0 Homeless Students Reported State Total = 35,048

11. Data Collection • State of Georgia – homeless children and youth reported: • FY12 = 35,048 • FY11 = 31,384 • FY10 = 27,338 • FY09 = 23,724 • FY08 = 15,700

12. Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth • Increased presence of DOE EHCY Grants Consultants • Visits to LEAs (non-grantees) that consistently report “0” homeless students • Visits to LEAs (non-grantees & subgrantees) local area Family & Children Services

13. Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth • Increased presence of DOE EHCY Grants Consultants • Emphasize “identification” as a mandated requirement demonstrated in annual monitoring and mandatory reporting • Ensure all homeless students identified are accurately coded (3) and (4) in student database • Mandatory annual survey with pre-populated data submitted to state

14. Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth • Participation at the State and Local level: • Continuum of Care Coalitions • Tri-jurisdictional Collaborations • Health & Human Services Agency Partnerships • Faith-based organizations; food pantries; thrift stores; seasonal (holiday) drives, • Permanent, Supportive and Transitional Housing • Higher Education Institutions

15. Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth • Develop or enhance marketing techniques • Publish monthly/quarterly newsletter or fact-sheet and disseminate intra and inter-organization wide (Identify periods in your district when high mobility is greatest) • Invite yourself to every Title I parent involvement; migrant education; school social work; college 411 initiative with in your school district with handouts in hand

16. Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth • Know that you cannot do this job alone: • Involve all school personnel in homeless education initiatives • Seek volunteers or educational support from within and outside of your school community (They will literally bring students to you) • Seek opportunities to partner with other federal program initiatives, professional development, etc.

17. Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth If you build it, they will come!

18. Questions

19. Additional Resources • Information by Topic • http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/sc_ident.php • Identification Brief • http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/identification.pdf • Sample Forms and Materials • http://center.serve.org/nche/forum/identification.php • Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit • http://center.serve.org/nche/pr/liaison_toolkit.php 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

20. Additional Resources Our Contacts: • Deb Cook deb.cook@sjsd.k12.mo.us • Heather Denny HDenny@mt.gov • Joanna Johnson JJohnson@doe.k12.ga.us • Christina Endres endres@serve.org Helpline • (800) 308-2145 or homeless@serve.org State Coordinator Info • http://center.serve.org/nche/states/state_resources.php 24th Annual NAEHCY Conference

21. GaDOE Contacts Joanna Johnson Grants Program Consultant Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 656-2004 – Office (770) 344-4526 – Fax jjohnson@doe.k12.ga.us Eric McGhee Grant Programs Manager Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 651-7555 – Office emcghee@doe.k12.ga.us Dr. Charles Barker Grants Program Consultant Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30334 (770) 315-2238 - Cell cbarker@doe.k12.ga.us Erica Glenn Grants Program Consultant Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30334 (678) 316-5991 – Cell eglenn@doe.k12.ga.us