Pinellas County Schools Did you Know? National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 14-18, 2016

You Are Making a difference! Participation in district wide Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week is making a difference. Usually if a new activity can increase something greater than two percent the outcome is considered to be statistically significant. In 2013-2014 three high schools participated in homeless awareness week. In 2014-2015 seven high school participated in homeless awareness week. Looking at the data there was an 8.6% increase in the identification of unaccompanied homeless youth. This is statistically significant. Unaccompanied homeless youth are students who live in a residence separate from their parents or legal guardian. This week and every week following please encourage your who meet the McKinney-Vento definitions to speak with a teacher, school counselor, social worker, and or HEAT representative. Remind them that the information is confidential and helpful.

Before or After School Can You Imagine? Washing your clothes with bar soap in a sink to air dry. Showering at a friend’s house because there is no running water in your home. Sleeping in a motel (not a hotel) with six people. Following shelter rules, no television or wireless access. Using cell phone light to finish your homework because there is no electricity in your home. Wondering where you would be living when you left school. The only food you eat during the week is breakfast and lunch at school. Keeping these secrets from your friends and teachers. Not knowing there are people and resources to help. Because of fear or pride you don’t ask for help…. When you think about it your peers who meet the McKinney-Vento definition have resilient and incredible skills. Don’t keep your living situation a secret tell a trusted staff member.

87% of those who were connected found the help valuable. June 2016, Hidden in Plain Sight, Civic Enterprises and Hart Research Associates 67% say they were uncomfortable talking with people at their school about their housing situation and related challenges. 61% say they were never connected with any outside organization while homeless 87% of those who were connected found the help valuable. Assist your peers to get help and feel comfortable asking for the help. This is why sharing this information is so important

Under 18 and need your original birth certificate or State ID card, etc… Certified Copies of Vital Records - Birth Records F.S. Sections 382.025 (1)(a)(1.), Florida Identification Card – Fee Waiver grants authority to waive identification card fees for the homeless – F.S. Section 322.051(9),   This means HEAT can assist identified homeless students obtain an original birth certificate and a Florida ID even though they are under the age of 18 years. There are Florida laws to assist students with the necessary documents for employment, resources, and post-secondary education.

Identified Homeless Students FAFSA “…all applicants under the age of 24, including those who are 22 or 23 years old, and who are unaccompanied and homeless, or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, qualify for a homeless youth determination and will be considered independent students …” When completing FAFSA forms on line look for the questions related to unaccompanied homeless youth to be considered an “independent student.” The district homeless liaison will provide students who meet this criteria with the required verification document.

College Fee Waivers Florida Statute Chapter 1009.25 (1) The following students are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including lab fees, at a school district that provides workforce education programs, Florida College System institution, or state university: (f) A student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or whose primary nighttime residence is a public or private shelter designed to provide temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized, or a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings. During school year 2013-2014 973 students received Florida college fee exemptions because they met the criteria of homelessness. Don’t keep your living situation a secret tell a trusted staff member. The district homeless liaison provides the verification document.

College Fee Waivers (2) Each Florida College System institution is authorized to grant student fee exemptions from all fees adopted by the State Board of Education and the Florida College System institution board of trustees for up to 54 full-time equivalent students or 1 percent of the institution’s total full-time equivalent enrollment, whichever is greater, at each institution. Colleges have established limits as to how many fee waivers they can accommodate.

Pinellas County Schools Homeless Liaison: Mrs Pinellas County Schools Homeless Liaison: Mrs. Christina Fields 727-588-6063 fieldsc@pcsb.org Or the HEAT office at 727-507-4766 If you want to know more. If you want to refer yourself call or email.