1. BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING BRIDGES OF HOPE: FROM CONFLICT TO SOLUTION VICTORIA COFIELD-ABER, LCSW-C JOANNA DURHAM, LCSW-C NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH OCTOBER 29, 2012

2. OBJECTIVES By the end of this session participants will be able to: Identify sources of engagement within groups and among agencies in servicing families experiencing homelessness. Develop and analyze strategies for positive communication between families experiencing homelessness and school personnel. Examine steps in planning and implementing an advocacy intervention for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

3. THE ROAD

4. ADVOCACY Vision Responsible Resources

5. ADVOCACY VOICETEACHPRACTICE

6. ADVOCACY RESOURCESCONSTRAINTS VISION POSSIBILITIES

7. BECOME BRIDGE TO UNDERSTANDING

8. BUILD CAPACITY THROUGH ENGAGEMENT

9. DIALOGUE With whom For what purpose Toward what end

10. PLANNING Diagnosis What is happening? What is the situation? Who are we and what do we have?

11. PLANNING Needs and problems Causes Resolution Resources

12. PLANNING Involvement  Parents  Shelter staff  School staff

13. WHERE TO ARRIVE Outcomes Hopes Values

14. THE PATH Action Tasks Responsibilities People

15. SET OBJECTIVES What Why With what How Who What

16. ACTION Division of labor Task groups Report Coordinate overall effort

17. REFLECTION

18. CARING, COMMUNICATING, COLLABORATING

19. SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS Monthly meetings Plans Recommendations

20. SENSITIVITY TRAINING Staff development Information Services Communication

21. STUDENTS IN TRANSITION Inform Coordinate Contact Referral

22. SHELTER STAFF Bi-monthly meeting Plan programs Recommendations

23. ACTION

24. HOME SCHOOL COLLABORATION GROUP Improve relationship between parents and school to support student learning

25. HOME SCHOOL COLLABORATION GROUP Group sessions provide information in four areas: Academic Social Behavioral Emotional

26. HOME SCHOOL COLLABORATION GROUP Session One: FAMILY ORIENTATION

27. HOME SCHOOL COLLABORATION GROUP Session Two: MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

28. HOME SCHOOL COLLABORATION GROUP Session Three: DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS

29. HOME SCHOOL COLLABORATION GROUP Session Four: COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES

30. HOME SCHOOL COLLABORATION GROUP Session Five: TIME MANAGEMENT

31. ACTION

32. OUTCOMES Dictionaries Book drive Read aloud

33. READ ALOUD

34. LITERACY DRIVE IN HOMELESS SHELTERS Thematic topics – Living your dreams – Love and resilience – Achievement – Go green Participation Survey

35. EVALUATION What gains made? How are conflicts and difficulties confronted? Do the actions meet the goals and objectives?

36. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

37. REFERENCES Finn, J. & Jacobson, M. (2003) Just Practice: Social Justice Approach to Social Work, eddie bowers publishing co. Inc. Peosta, Iowa. School Social Work Services, Baltimore County Public Schools. 410 887 0305.