1. Step-by-step Strategies for Sticky Scenarios Christina Dukes, Federal Liaison National Center for Homeless Education cdukes@serve.org

2. The Concept

3. To work through two complex scenarios focusing both on PROCESS and PRODUCT

4. The Flow

5. Part 1: Process each scenario as a group at your table, with each person facilitating the discussion of a step from the tip sheet Part 2: Discuss and debrief together as a group for themes, conclusions, lessons learned, and remaining questions Part 3: Discuss and debrief together as a room

6. Scenario 1

7. The People Cher Gussey and her 8 children: 3 in elementary school 2 in middle school 3 in high school

8. The Time of Year August (the beginning of the school year)

9. The Living Arrangement Since becoming homeless 15 months ago, Ms. Gussey and her children have stayed temporarily in the homes of various friends and relatives, mostly in the Horizon School District, but have recently moved in with grandma in her 2-bedroom apartment in the Sunset School District. Ms. Gussey has turned down Section 8 housing options sufficient to accommodate her family on 3 occasions because the options are in communities where she does not want to live.

10. The Issue Ms. Gussey wants her children to continue attending their schools of origin in the Horizon District. She also wants her youngest child, who is entering kindergarten, to attend school with her two second graders at their school of origin. The local liaison from the Horizon District is willing to accommodate Ms. Gussey’s wishes regarding school selection for her children and collaborate with the Sunset District to provide transportation. The local liaison from the Sunset District emails you and explains that her district will not contribute to the transportation costs of the Gussey children and that her Superintendent is questioning whether the Gussey children should still be considered homeless since Mom has turned down Section 8 options on multiple occasions.

11. Scenario 2

12. The People Ms. White and her son, Tyler Ms. White’s aunt (Tyler’s great aunt)

13. The Time of Year January (just after the return from winter break)

14. The Living Arrangement Ms. White calls you, the local liaison for the Dunwoody School District, for help. She and her 10 year-old son, Tyler, were evicted from their apartment about 60 miles away. After the eviction, they moved in with Ms. White’s aunt, who lives in the Dunwoody area. Woodhaven Elementary School, the school zoned for where the aunt lives, would not enroll 10 year-old Tyler without proof of residence, so the aunt drew up a lease for $75/month to document that Ms. White and Tyler are staying with her. After receiving a copy of the lease, Woodhaven enrolled Tyler.

15. The Issue Tyler was called to the office recently due to behavioral issues. In the conversation with the principal, he said that he and his mom don’t live with his great aunt. The principal called Ms. White and questioned whether they live with Ms. White’s aunt, but also said that since they have a lease, Tyler doesn’t qualify as homeless under McKinney-Vento. Mom admits that on the weekends she and Tyler sometimes visit and stay with friends in their hometown, but says that Tyler always stays at her aunt’s house during the week. Mom fears that Tyler will be disenrolled.

16. The Tip Sheet

17. The Steps 1.Take in information from the initial call or email. 2.Gather any additional information needed 3.Reflect 4.Move toward resolution 5.Debrief for lessons learned

18. Let's Begin

19. Timeline 3:45-3:55Introduce the session 3:55-4:15Process and debrief scenario 1 at your table 4:15-4:35Process and debrief scenario 2 at your table 4:35-4:45Room debrief