McKinney-Vento 101: Identifying and Providing Services to Students in Temporary Housing Presented by NYS-TEACHS

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1 McKinney-Vento 101: Identifying and Providing Services to Students in Temporary Housing Presented by NYS-TEACHS About Us NYS-TEACHS New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students Funded by the State Education Department and housed at Advocates for Children of New York Provide technical assistance on homeless education issues. Our services include: Hotline ( ) Website ( Webinars, Annual Workshops, and On-Site Trainings Outreach Materials 2

2 Pre/Post Test True or False: A student living in a private residence may be considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. All youth experiencing homelessness must have the approval of a parent/guardian to enroll in a new school or request transportation. Families/youth must declare that they are experiencing homelessness in order to be eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. Students in temporary housing can enroll immediately in school, even if they do not have the paperwork normally needed to enroll. All students in temporary housing should receive free school meals. 3 Pre/Post Test Answers True or False: A student living in a private residence may be considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. (T) All youth experiencing homelessness must have the approval of a parent/guardian to enroll in a new school or request transportation. (F) Families/youth must declare that they are experiencing homelessness in order to be eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. (F) Students in temporary housing can enroll immediately in school, even if they do not have the paperwork normally needed to enroll. (T) All students in temporary housing should receive free school meals. (T) 4

3 Today s Webinar Introducing: The McKinney-Vento Act Who is eligible? What is the role of the McKinney-Vento Liaison? How are eligible students identified? School Access & Success Where can students experiencing homelessness attend school? Who is responsible for transporting students experiencing homelessness? How do students experiencing homelessness receive free meals and additional services? 5 Students in Temporary Housing Outperformed by Permanently Housed Peers 40% Percent Proficient, % 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% STH Low Income All Students 5% 0% 6 Reading 4th Grade Reading 8th Grade Math 4th Grade Math 8th Grade [Data from eddataexpress.ed.gov/]

4 Outcomes for Students in Temporary Housing: Stability is key Academic Outcomes School stability affects academic achievement Social/Emotional Outcomes Stable relationships can help mitigate the toxic effects of stress caused by loss of housing 7 The McKinney-Vento Act Provides Stability Federal law Enacted in 1987 Reauthorized in 2001 as part of NCLB School Access Academic Success School Stability 8

5 Who is covered? Examples listed in the McKinney-Vento Act include: Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or other similar reason Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations Living in emergency or transitional shelters Abandoned in hospitals Awaiting foster care placement Living a in public or private place not designed for sleeping Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, etc. Migratory living in circumstances described above 9 Who is covered? Fixed (attached to the ground) Not McKinney- Vento-Eligible Regular (Legal right to be there, can go there every night, etc.) Adequate (heat, lights, water, kids not sleeping on couch/floor, etc) 10

6 You may be wondering Is there a limit to how long a student can be considered homeless? Are youth allowed to enroll on their own, without a parent or guardian? 11 You may be wondering Is there a limit to how long a student can be considered homeless? No. As long as a student continues to lack fixed, regular and adequate housing, they are eligible under McKinney-Vento. Are youth allowed to enroll on their own, without a parent or guardian? Yes, if they meet the definition of homeless and are also not in the physical custody of a parent of guardian. Students that meet these criteria are unaccompanied youth. 12

7 Questions about Eligibility Does the student s housing fit into one of the listed examples? Is it fixed, regular AND adequate? Call NYS-TEACHS at Role of the McKinney-Vento Liaison Ensure that students experiencing homelessness: Are identified Are enrolled in school Receive educational services for which they are eligible Ensure that parents of students experiencing homelessness are informed of: Educational opportunities Transportation services Ensure notice of McKinney-Vento rights are posted in places such as schools, shelters, and food pantries Ensure that enrollment disputes are mediated 14

8 Residency Questionnaire 15 Tips and Strategies for Identifying Students Experiencing Homelessness Use local data to identify areas where students may be under-identified Estimated that 10% of children and youth in poverty will experience homelessness in a given year. Visible outreach to parents and youth Order outreach materials on our website Place in areas frequented by the community laundromats, libraries, grocery stores, etc. Community outreach and partnership with community agencies Work with Departments of Social Services and Youth Bureaus, shelter sites, religious organizations, community councils, etc. 16

9 Create a District- or School-Wide Knowledge Base Turn-Key trainings for school district staff Reach out to NYS-TEACHS for assistance Provide local information about prevalence of homelessness and resources Tip Sheets for School Roles Available on our website for a variety of roles teachers, social workers/counselors, school/district leadership, pupil transportation directors, school nurses, secretaries and enrollment personnel. 17 Barriers and Solutions to Effective Identification of Students Experiencing Homelessness Parents and youth hide their homelessness because of embarrassment or fear. Do not use the word homeless; use students in temporary housing or similar language. Parents and youth do not know that their living situation is covered by the McKinney-Vento Act. Be transparent about questions and explain the law. Use language to describe homelessness that reflects the living arrangement, i.e. doubled-up or staying at a shelter. Only a select few district/school representatives know about McKinney-Vento protections, so the student isn t identified quickly or at all. Provide internal trainings, resources, and materials. 18

10 Working with Students and Families Experiencing Stress and Trauma You can further help address the negative impacts of chronic stress and trauma by using trauma-sensitive practices in all interactions. For example: Provide a welcoming environment Be empathetic Avoid blame or shame Focus on partnership, not control or authority Focus on student and family strengths Complete NYS-TEACHS Registration Simulation at: 19 Eligibility and Identification: Review The McKinney-Vento Act affords students in temporary housing the right to school stability. A child or youth is covered by McKinney-Vento if he lacks fixed, regular and adequate housing. Districts must proactively identify students covered by the McKinney-Vento Act. Districts and schools should use multiple strategies to ensure that students experiencing homelessness are properly identified. 20

11 School Success Framework STRESS & TRAUMA can make a student feel overwhelmed, unsafe, and unavailable to learn. But if the student has access to 3 KEY SUPPORT SYSTEMS, she will feel safer, more resilient, and more available to learn. 1. A safe and supportive environment 2. Secure attachment to a nurturing adult 3. An opportunity to strengthen non-cognitive skills School Success 21 McKinney-Vento Services Free Meals Transport to School of Origin Free Meals Immediate Enrollment Immediate Enrollment Title I Services Title I Services 22

12 Choosing a School for Christopher Christopher and his parents evicted from apartment in District A. Temporarily staying with relatives in District B. Eligible under McKinney-Vento. Where can Christopher attend school? (Choose all that apply.) A. Local Zoned School in District B B. Christopher s old school in District A C. The last school that Christopher attended D. Any school in the county where Christopher is temporarily residing. E. Any school within 50 miles of Christopher s temporary address. 23 Choosing a School for Christopher Christopher and his parents evicted from apartment in District A. Temporarily staying with relatives in District B. Eligible under McKinney-Vento. Where can Christopher attend school? Answers in blue. A. Local Zoned School in District B B. Christopher s old school in District A C. The last school that Christopher attended D. Any school in the county where Christopher is temporarily residing. E. Any school within 50 miles of Christopher s temporary address. 24

13 School/District Selection: Up to three options Last permanently housed Most recently attended New local school 25 Who Will Bring Alex to School? Alex is an unaccompanied homeless youth from District A. Staying temporarily in District B. Wants to continue attending same school in District A. What do you tell Alex? (Choose all that apply.) A. Alex is entitled to transportation, provided by District A. B. Alex is entitled to transportation, provided by District B. C. Alex is entitled to transportation up to 50 miles each way. D. Alex is entitled to transportation up to 15 miles each way. E. Alex is not entitled to transportation, because she is not living with a parent or guardian. 26

14 Who Will Bring Alex to School? Alex is an unaccompanied homeless youth from District A. Staying temporarily in District B. Wants to continue attending same school in District A. What do you tell Alex? Answers in blue. A. Alex is entitled to transportation, provided by District A. B. Alex is entitled to transportation, provided by District B. C. Alex is entitled to transportation up to 50 miles each way. D. Alex is entitled to transportation up to 15 miles each way. E. Alex is not entitled to transportation, because she is not living with a parent or guardian. 27 Transportation District Where Student is Enrolled is Responsible If student attends District with School of Origin School of Origin is school where student was most permanently housed and/or where student was most recently enrolled. Up to 50 miles each way District with Local Zoned School Same rules as for all other students in district *DSS is responsible for transportation when family was placed in shelter outside District of Origin + family is EAF-eligible 28

15 Transportation to School of Origin in NYC BUSING K-6 if appropriate route exists Any grade if on IEP or METROCARD Any STH student not getting busing Parent to accompany student (K-6) School of Origin 29 James James family lived in District A before a house fire caused them to move in temporarily with relatives in District B. After weighing the school selection options, the family would like to enroll James in District B. What do James parents need to provide to District B in order to enroll him in school there? (Choose all that apply.) A. School Records from District A B. Medical/immunization records C. Proof of residency D. Birth certificate E. None of the above 30

16 James James family lived in District A before a house fire caused them to move in temporarily with relatives in District B. After weighing the school selection options, the family would like to enroll James in District B. What do James parents need to provide to District B in order to enroll him in school there? Answer in blue. A. School Records from District A B. Medical/immunization records C. Proof of residency D. Birth certificate E. None of the above 31 Immediate Enrollment Immediate Enrollment = No Records Necessary at Enrollment 32

17 Students Experiencing Homelessness are Categorically Eligible for Title I Services 1) Academic programs and educational support services 2) Basic/emergency supplies 3) Extended library hours/after school programs 4) Counseling services 5) Parental involvement 6) Intervention programs 7) Transportation that is not reimbursed by SED 8) Outreach efforts to identify the STH population and help them 9) The work of the liaison 10) Research based programs that benefit highly mobile students 11) Data collection to assess the needs/progress of STH 33 Students Experiencing Homelessness are Entitled to Free Meals McKinney- Vento Free Meals No paperwork 34

18 Student Success: Review Use a trauma-sensitive approach when working with McKinney-Vento students. Counsel students and families about the benefits of school stability. Arrange transportation within 3 business days and/or enroll students immediately. Students in temporary housing are automatically eligible for free meals and Title I services. 35 Resources from NYS-TEACHS Free brochures are available in English and in Spanish Free posters in 9 languages Toll-free hotline Website, 36

19 Contact Information NYS-TEACHS Website: 37