McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Title VII, Subtitle B Phyliss Thornthwaite Coordinator for Children @ Risk thornthw@berkeley.k12.sc.us 899-8701 October 1-3, 2008

McKinney-Vento Act Reauthorized January 2002 Reauthorizes the McKinney Act originally enacted in 1987. Requires educational access, attendance, and success for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Provides states with funding to support local grants and statewide initiatives. McKinney gave homeless students the following rights: Free and appropriate public education (academic achievement), including preschool, Services comparable to those offered to non-homeless children and youth, School Selection (school choice), transportation to and from school of origin Enrollment without documentation, dispute resolution, local liaison in all districts

Homeless Children and Youths The term ‘homeless children and youths’ means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and includes children and youth - who are sharing the housing of other persons due to lost of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are livings in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement; who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations for human beings; Fixed – stationary, permanent Regular – used on a regular nightly basis Adequate – sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in a home environment. Sharing/Double-up – more that one family in a single family house.

Homeless Children and Youths, ctd. who are living in cars, parks, public places, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in the circumstances described above. unaccompanied youth (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) Unaccompanied youth (throwaway/runaway – youth whose parents will not permit them to live at home or who have run away from home (even if their parents are willing to have them return) may be identified as homeless. Same rights as others students School-age unwed mothers - living in homes for unwed mothers because they have no other housing available. Incarcerated youth, for a violation of the law, are not considered homeless. Children held in an institutions because they have no where to go, are considered homeless.

McKinney-Vento Act: Enrollment Requires public schools to immediately enroll students experiencing homelessness even when lacking: Proof of residency, Guardianship Birth certificates, school records, or other documents Medical records, including immunization records Required dress code items, including uniforms A Liaison in every school district Article VI of the US Constitution known as the “Supremacy Clause”, which state that federal law supersedes state and local laws (school policy) where there is a conflict. The terms “enroll and enrollment”, are defined to include attending classes and participating fully in school activities. Legal guardian is not a requirement for any student to enroll in SC public schools. Alternatives: No Proof of Residency – an affidavit can be signed stating that one is currently homeless, doubled-up, etc. No previous school records – the school can call/fax the previous school and request the records, accept school records directly from families and youth. No immunization records – the school must enroll the student and provide the parent with information as to where the public health dept, to get the needed immunizations. No uniform – can use McKinney funds or Title One set aside funds to purchase uniform.

McKinney-Vento Act: Requires School placement in: School of origin, if the parent wishes and it is feasible School in area of current residency Educational rights posted in: All public schools The community Access for unaccompanied youth A dispute resolution process Parental involvement School of origin – the school the student attended before becoming homeless or where the student was last enrolled. It takes students 4-6 months to recover academically after changing schools. Stay in school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing. Feasibility – best interest of the child: safety of the child, age/grade of the child, school placement of siblings, continuity of instruction, time remaining in the school year, future residence, length of stay in shelter, impact of commute to and from school of origin on education, quality of instruction in school of origin, need for special instructional programs. Unaccompanied Youth -The liaison must assist unaccompanied youth in placement/enrollment decisions, consider the youth’s wishes, and provide notice to the youth of the right to appeal under the enrollment disputes resolution process. However, dispute resolution shall not delay admittance of a homeless child or youth, immediately enrolled child or youth into the parent’s/guardian’s school of choice while the dispute is being settled. Parental involvement – the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities, including: Must be fully informed of the enrollment options and educational opportunities available Inform parents of the right to have the district transport children to and from school of origin. Parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their child’s education at school. Making decision about the child’s academic needs based on reports provided by the school.

McKinney-Vento Act: Provisions Comparable Services Transportation Prohibits Segregation Services comparable to those received by other students, including transportation services and educational services for which students meet eligibility criteria, including special education, Title I services; students with limited English proficiency; vocational or technical programs, gifted and talented programs, tutoring and mentoring, before, after, & summer school programs, school nutrition programs, and preschool programs (Head Start, Even Start, etc.) Transportation – Must be provided. Districts must agree on a method or share the cost. Segregation – Prohibits segregation of students into separate schools or separate classrooms within schools Homeless alone is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment. Except as is necessary for short periods of time for health and safety emergencies or to provide temporary, special, and supplementary services.

Role of the LEA Liaison Ensure identification of students through coordination with personnel and other agencies Ensure parent/guardian or youth is informed of educational rights Ensure enrollment with full and equal opportunity to succeed in school. Assist unaccompanied youth with placement, enrollment, and knowing their rights. Disseminate public notice of educational rights. Inform and assist with accessing transportation. Mediate enrollment disputes Identification strategies may include: working with shelters and social services, visiting soup kitchens, hotels and campgrounds where homeless families reside; Ensure that homeless families, children and youth receive educational services for which they are eligible including Head Start, Even Start, and preschool programs administered by the district and referrals to health, mental health, dental, and other appropriate services. Provide professional development to teachers, school secretaries and attendance officers on the signs of homelessness, causes and consequences, definition of homeless children and youth, students rights, district duties, and liaison duties. Must inform school personnel, service providers and advocates who work with families in homeless situations of the duties of the liaison. Ensure parents are inform of educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children. Ensure unaccompanied youth are immediately enrolled in school pending disputes. Public notice (posters) where ever children and youth receive services ( such as schools, family shelters, soup kitchen, food banks,etc.) Develop Relationships with Programs Directors such as: Transportation Staff, Food Services Staff, Guidance Counselors, Teachers, Social Workers, School Nurses, School Secretaries Schools must maintain records for students who are homeless so they are available quickly. Districts must adopt policies and practices to ensure transportation is provided, at request of parent of guardian (or LEA Liaison on behalf of unaccompanied youth), to from the school of origin. Must assist children and youth who do not have immunizations or medical records to obtain necessary records or immunization.. Coordinate with existing programs (e.g., Head Start, Even Start, programs for adolescents, and housing agencies). Collaborate and coordinate – collaborate and access the appropriate educational and related services for homeless children and youth.

Working With Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Reduce school entry stress. Promote academic success through encouraging words and actions that recognize the gains made. Encourage supportive relationships. Increase access to services and activities. Have high expectations Be sensitive, patient, calm and reassuring. Eliminate Barriers – Guardianships, school/medical & immunizations records Best Practices tips: Provide accommodations for homework: Time & space at school to complete homework Modify homework Keep extra supplies in classroom (for project that students can’t buy) Use tutoring and after school programs to provide academic support. Allow student to take a nap in class. (If a student is to tired he can’t learn, give him a 20 minute nap to restart and he will be ready to learn) Make the student feel welcome. Give the child ownership of school space (e.g., cubbies, locker, etc.) Alert teachers of a student’s living situation (respecting privacy). Enroll students in free breakfast and lunch program. Show that you care about the student.

What You Can Do Be familiar with the McKinney-Vento Act requirements. Introduce yourself as someone who works as an advocate for the child’s success in school. Inform students of their educational right. Get to know school personnel. Show that you care about the student! Make sure the child enrolls in the free and reduced lunch program Ensure that the student has every opportunity for after-school activities and in school programs that a non homeless student has. Ask if the child participated in any after school activities or had special classes at a previous school, then work to connect the child with similar resources if they are available.

Web Resources National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth www.naehcy.org National Center for Homeless Education www.serve.org/nche National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty www.nlchp.org National Network for Youth www.nn4youth.org

State Coordinator, McKinney-Vento Program Brenda J. Myers State Coordinator, McKinney-Vento Program State Department of Education 1429 Senate Street, Suite 808-B Columbia, South Carolina 29201 Phone: 803-734-3215 Fax: 803-734-3043 Toll Free: 1-888-565-7261 bmyers@ed.sc.gov