District Homeless Contact - Ash Bailey Homeless Liaison & Office of Federal Programs – Kathy Varner

DEFINITION OF HOMELESS Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence Live in emergency transitional shelters; FEMA trailer; all foster children awaiting placement 2. Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason (are not contributing to household daily expenses)

DEFINITION OF HOMELESS 3.Abandoned in hospital; living in car; primary nighttime residence that is a private or public place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation; OR 4. Live in hotel/motel, camp grounds or trailer park due to alternative adequate housing.

ADDITIONAL DEFINITION: Unaccompanied Youth A youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, who is in transition as defined in the previous two screens. CHARACTERISTICS THAT DEFINE UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH Basic Need of Housing Unemployment Lack of Family Support No Financial Stability Poor Personal Hygiene Mental Health Issues Poor emotional well-being

DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY Examine on a case-by-case basis New Students – all registering students complete Eligibility Questionnaire Back to School Packets – Eligibility Questionnaire for all returning students Enrolled Students – If you suspect a student is homeless, complete social worker referral, check homeless and give information to your building level contact. Please provide as many details as possible that are homeless indicators.

A student is HOMELESS, now WHAT? Enroll and register even if they do not have appropriate documentation. Referral should be made and family has 30 days to provide documentation. We must assist them in securing their documentation. NEW: Document dates: 1) when family comes to enroll and 2)when student is in attendance Maintain School of Origin – contact Varner/Bailey Provide equitable transportation – contact Bailey or Varner Provide access to Title I Services – all of our schools are Title I so no matter where a student in Decatur County enrolls, they will receive Title I Services.

School Nutrition – Even with CEP (all students eat free), we still have to report the student to the nutrition department. Coordination of Services – The law requires us to make sure that homeless students have access to an appropriate and equitable public education. When students have needs, please utilize all school and community resources to meet them. We will continue to work with families on a case by case situation to ensure that compliance with the Decatur County Homeless Policy is met. Check Infinite Campus – Student Enrollment Information to see if other factors apply Teach Them in your classrooms

 Barriers Faced  Identification  Enrollment/School of Origin  Retention/High mobility  Meals  Transportation  Dispute Resolution  Unaccompanied Youth  School Provides  Structure  Routine/consistency/ stability  Meals  Caring adults  Healthcare/social services  Socialization and friendships  Skills needed to escape poverty and realize dreams

Grant Recipient – ; Ineligible to apply for grant Budget items for Title 1: Transportation Fees for Documents Supplies Partner with Still Waters Shelter Continue Collaboration with multiple community partners to identify and serve homeless population

Identified Homeless Students 42- doubled up 5 – Unsheltered 6 – hotels Identified Homeless Students 6 – house fire 8 – living in motels 9- foster care Identified Homeless Students 42 – doubled up 19-shelters and foster care 13-unsheltered 20-hotels/motels Identified Homeless Students 67- doubled up 13-shelters 4-unsheltered 14-hotels/motels

 For all FORMS and additional guidance go to Decatur County Board of Education website – JBC(1)-R(1) Policy can be viewed in its entirety at Click ON: Board Policies J. Students Homeless  Federal programs link on  Kathy Varner–  Ash Bailey -  Carlos Williams -