Increasing the Identification of Homeless Students 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference REMOVING BARRIERS & FINDING FAMILIES

Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act A copy of the law and USDE Guidance: 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 2 LEGAL BASIS

Liaisons must:  Ensure students are identified  Through coordination  Post notice of rights  Where students receive services 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 3 IDENTIFICATION

Liaisons must ensure hcy:  Enroll in & have a full, equal opportunity to succeed in schools  Receive educational services for which they are eligible & referrals for other services 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 4 IDENTIFICATION

 Enrollment Staff  Student Services Staff  Teachers  Special Education Personnel  Truancy/Attendance Officers  Transportation Staff  Cafeteria Staff 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 5 TEAM EFFORT

 Shelters  Soup Kitchens & Food Banks  Transitional Living Programs  Street Outreach Teams & Drop-in Centers  Community Action Agencies  Welfare & Housing Departments  Homeless Coalitions/Continuums of Care (CoCs)  Public Health Departments  Faith-based Organizations  Low-cost Motels 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 6 TEAM EFFORT

 Erratic attendance and tardiness  Absences on days when students bring treats  Refuse invitations from classmates  Unmet medical and dental needs  Sleeping in class  Gaps in skill development 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 7 COMMON SIGNS

 Homelessness can last a day or many years.  Identification must be case-by-case.  UHY are a legally recognized subpopulation with full rights under the law.  Districts and states are required to revise and remove barriers for homeless students. 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 8 IDENTIFICATION CONSIDERATIONS

In addition to general enrollment, students have the right to:  Title I services  Free school meals  Transportation  Vocational education  Special education  Early childhood education  Any other program offered by the district such as alternative education 10/27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 9 IDENTIFICATION CONSIDERATIONS

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Homeless Enrollment by County City School Districts Atlanta Public Schools Bremen City Buford City Calhoun City Carrollton City Cartersville City Chickamauga City Commerce City Dalton City Decatur City Dublin City Gainesville City Jefferson City Marietta City Pelham City Rome City Social Circle City Thomasville City Trion City Valdosta City Vidalia City White Background = 0 Homeless Students Reported State Total = 35,048

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians”  State of Georgia – homeless children and youth reported:  FY12 = 35,048  FY11 = 31,384  FY10 = 27,338  FY09 = 23,724  FY08 = 15,700 Data Collection

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth Increased presence of DOE EHCY Grants Consultants – Visits to LEAs (non-grantees) that consistently report “0” homeless students – Visits to LEAs (non-grantees & subgrantees) local area Family & Children Services

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth Increased presence of DOE EHCY Grants Consultants – Emphasize “identification” as a mandated requirement demonstrated in annual monitoring and mandatory reporting – Ensure all homeless students identified are accurately coded (3) and (4) in student database – Mandatory annual survey with pre-populated data submitted to state

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth Participation at the State and Local level: – Continuum of Care Coalitions – Tri-jurisdictional Collaborations – Health & Human Services Agency Partnerships – Faith-based organizations; food pantries; thrift stores; seasonal (holiday) drives, – Permanent, Supportive and Transitional Housing – Higher Education Institutions

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth Develop or enhance marketing techniques – Publish monthly/quarterly newsletter or fact- sheet and disseminate intra and inter- organization wide (Identify periods in your district when high mobility is greatest) – Invite yourself to every Title I parent involvement; migrant education; school social work; college 411 initiative with in your school district with handouts in hand

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth Know that you cannot do this job alone: – Involve all school personnel in homeless education initiatives – Seek volunteers or educational support from within and outside of your school community (They will literally bring students to you) – Seek opportunities to partner with other federal program initiatives, professional development, etc.

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Strategies for Ensuring Identification of Homeless Children and Youth If you build it, they will come! 17

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Questions

 Information by Topic   Identification Brief   Sample Forms and Materials   Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit  /27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 19 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Our Contacts:  Deb  Heather  Joanna  Christina Helpline  (800) or State Coordinator Info  /27/ th Annual NAEHCY Conference 20 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Dr. John D. Barge, State School Superintendent “Making Education Work for All Georgians” Dr. Charles Barker Grants Program Consultant Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA (770) Cell Erica Glenn Grants Program Consultant Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA (678) – Cell Joanna Johnson Grants Program Consultant Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA (404) – Office (770) – Fax Eric McGhee Grant Programs Manager Homeless Education 205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA (404) – Office GaDOE Contacts