Supporting Homeless and Foster Care Students Through Title I Federal Grant Programs Conference May 30, 2018

Title I covers homeless students and foster care students Really? I thought they were all covered by McKinney-Vento. Under ESSA Educational stability for students who are homeless or in foster care is promoted Foster care provisions are now under Title I (students “awaiting foster care” are no longer covered by McKinney-Vento)

Students who are homeless Who are these students? Students who are homeless Lack fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence Including sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason Students who are in foster care – Are in 24-hour out-of-home care, away from parent/legal guardian and for whom DCF has care and placement responsibilities

Districts may use Title I funds, as needed, to do so Homeless Students – What is required for supporting homeless students under Title I? All homeless students who need Title I services or programming must be able to access those services regardless of whether they attend a Title I school Districts may use Title I funds, as needed, to do so Districts may do an assessment of their homeless students needs Allowable expenses may go beyond traditional Title I services/expenses

How can the homeless reservation be used? Allowable expenses Homeless liaison Transportation Food Academic support (tutors, school supplies) Unique needs (e.g., uniforms, eyeglasses, out-of-school time programs, immunizations/other needs for school enrollment, etc.) Remember no supplanting

How much is enough? – Calculating your reservation Options for calculating your reservation using the total Title I allocation : Per pupil expenditure x average number of homeless students Determine the % of students who are homeless and calculate an equal % of total Title I funds Amount to cover a specific cost (i.e., homeless liaison) Match a McKinney-Vento grant For districts that report homeless students, DESE recommends but does not require a reservation of between $50 and $100 per homeless student, absent a description of alternative funding sources or in-kind services.

Data, assessing the need State wide we know that …. 2.5% of all students are homeless 3% of all Title I students are homeless 68% of homeless students are accessing Title I programming

Foster Care - Title I provisions Title I foster care provisions Local Foster Care Point of Contact (POC); Presumed right to remain enrolled in the school of origin based on a collaborative best interest determination; Collaboration with DCF; Ensure that transportation is provided, if needed to remain in the school of origin; Ensure immediate enrollment when it’s in a student’s best interest to enroll locally where they reside.

Title I funds for children in foster care? Foster care responsibilities can be funded through Title I using a district reservation. Allowable Expenses - Including the Point Of Contact Other educational and related needs; and Additional costs of transportation. Calculate based on need.