Miles Nowlin: Family Support Liaison Hannah Franks: Educational Advocate (McKinney Vento, OBJ and SHS) Ricardo Del Bosque: Bilingual Family Support Liaison Shelton School District: Housing Transitions Program

Which students qualify for McKinney- Vento support services? Students lacking a fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence In a shelter, transitional housing program, motel, vehicle or on the street. In an abandoned building, substandard housing (e.g. dilapidated trailer). Temporarily living with friends or family due to economic hardship (“doubled-up”). Awaiting foster care placement (emergency placement). Living as an unaccompanied youth with parent or guardian. In the process of eviction or foreclosure.

Child homelessness on the rise In Mason Co. nearly %50 or homeless are under 21 y/o (similar to national levels). In 2009/10 school-year Shelton School Dist. had the 9 th highest homeless counts of all districts in WA. Last school-year, 10% of our students qualified as homeless at one point in the school-year. 21% of last year’s counts were unaccompanied youth, not living with their parent or guardian. 18% of last year’s counts were Spanish speaking.

Educational rights of homeless students To access a free and appropriate public education. Services comparable to those of housed students, including access to transportation, pre-school, kindergarten etc. The right to remain in their school of origin from before they became homeless for the remainder of that academic school-year. The right to access special transportation back to their school of origin at the request of the student/guardian if deemed feasible and in the student’s best interest. To be enrolled immediately despite the lack of permanent housing or school records. Eligible for some special services (free lunch, fees paid, school supplies, clothing, etc.).