McKinney-Vento Students Confidential Service with Dignity School Bus Driver Inservice

McKinney-Vento Nationwide16 Million Statewide (WA)18.6 Thousand District wide  Students documented at or below poverty level School Bus Driver Inservice

McKinney-Vento Act  This important law: Has two guiding principles Includes homeless criteria Defines district responsibility School Bus Driver Inservice

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 1987  Representatives Stewart McKinney (R-CT) Bruce Vento (D-MN) School Bus Driver Inservice

Ensures to/from transportation  Student may attend school or origin which is: The last school enrolled in OR The school attending when they became homeless, regardless of where they live School Bus Driver Inservice

McKinney-Vento  Schools must register without requiring usual documents  A program must be available to all school districts within the state  Washington State accepts federal funds and so must implement the Act School Bus Driver Inservice

Two Guiding Principles  The right to equal access to education and programs provided to other students  The right to continue attending their current school, no matter where they live School Bus Driver Inservice

Homeless Student Criteria  Any combination of criteria can be used Lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate night time place of residence School Bus Driver Inservice

 Student Living With or Without Family in A shelter, temporary or transitional housing Temporary housing awaiting to be institutionalized A place not designed for sleeping A doubled-up situation with another family due to finances Motel, campground, car, or abandoned building Homeless Student Criteria School Bus Driver Inservice

 Students may also qualify who are: Abandoned in a hospital Awaiting foster care placement Migratory and qualify as homeless because they are living in temporary housing Displaced due to natural disaster Homeless Student Criteria School Bus Driver Inservice

 Unaccompanied youth qualify in these cases: Kicked out of home Runaway Parent is in jail – no guardianship Temporary foster care “Couch surfing” Homeless Student Criteria School Bus Driver Inservice 11

 “Hard Times Generation, Homeless Kids”  60 Minutes Video Video Presentation School Bus Driver Inservice 12

Additional Support Available?  Support from school reduces barriers More freedom to spend on homeless students Funds targeted to support students, not whole family  Information is confidential and support must protect the dignity of the student in need School Bus Driver Inservice 13

Additional Support Available?  School district may have discretionary funds for: Transport to/from and after school activities Breakfast/lunch School supplies or clothing Tutoring Medical/dental/vision School Bus Driver Inservice 14

Everyone has RESPONSIBILITIES McKinney-Vento School Bus Driver Inservice 15

Responsibilities and Duties  LIAISON Verify eligibility/coordinate services o Transportation o Meals o Tutoring Determine when services are no longer required School Bus Driver Inservice 16

 TRANSPORTATION OFFICE STAFF Expedite transportation service Communicate clearly and effectively with the Liaison on need-to-know information Communicate clearly and effectively with the driver Responsibilities and Duties School Bus Driver Inservice 17

 BUS DRIVERS Look for signs of homelessness or neglect and report Be the “eyes and ears” for the district Be a good listener Treat all students equally Keep living situations confidential Responsibilities and Duties School Bus Driver Inservice 18

 Homeless Criteria Anyone who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence  Two Guiding Principles The student has the right to continue their education at their school of origin, even if outside the boundaries of that school The student has the same equal right to education as all other students Summary School Bus Driver Inservice 19

 School districts can provide support to homeless students that is not typically found in the education system This support provides help to overcome barriers This support provides transportation outside regular routing Summary School Bus Driver Inservice 20

 All employees in the district should be watchful Homeless liaison is available in every district Transportation staff work to provide appropriate transportation Bus drivers are the eyes and ears of the district. Always treat students with confidential service and protect their dignity Summary School Bus Driver Inservice 21

Questions? ? ? ? School Bus Driver Inservice 22

1.Name the two principles of the McKinney- Vento Act 2.Name three living situations that qualify students for McKinney-Vento services 3.Name three barriers that may be addressed so that homeless children can attend school Evaluation School Bus Driver Inservice 23

 Describe the duties and responsibilities of a homeless liaison.  Describe the duties and responsibilities of transportation staff.  Describe the duties and responsibilities of a school bus driver. Evaluation School Bus Driver Inservice 24

 Every student who is homeless will have equal access to, appropriate education and programs provided to all other students, students who become homeless while attending their school of origin have the right to continue attending that school no matter where they are currently living. Answers School Bus Driver Inservice 25

 Temporary shelter, welfare hotels, transitional housing, temporary residence, a place not designed for regular sleeping, sharing a house because of economic hardship, motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings, abandoned in hospitals, awaiting foster care placement; migratory in temporary housing, is displaced due to natural disaster. Answers School Bus Driver Inservice 26

 Lack of available to/from transportation, school supplies, school clothing. Needs fees and fines waived or reduced, after-school tutoring, assistance with emergency medical/dental/vision, or transportation home after an activity or tutoring.  The homeless liaison is a district employee that manages and provides oversight of the McKinney- Vento Program. They determine if a student is or is not homeless and ensures services.  Answers School Bus Driver Inservice 27

 Office staff responsibilities include expedient transportation service, clear communication with the Liaison on need to know information, clear communication with the driver so that the driver can provide safe and respectful service.  Drivers are responsible to provide service that is confidential and respectful, look for signs of homelessness or neglect and report to supervisor of any suspicions, listen for clues that should be reported and refrain from calling attention to a student’s homeless situation.  Answers School Bus Driver Inservice 28

 Office staff responsibilities include expedient transportation service, clear communication with the Liaison on need to know information, clear communication with the driver so that the driver can provide safe and respectful service. Answers School Bus Driver Inservice 29

 Drivers are responsible to provide service that confidential and respectful, look for signs of homelessness or neglect and report to supervisor of any suspicions, listen for clues that should be reported and refrain from calling attention to a student’s homeless situation.  Answers School Bus Driver Inservice 30