1. Guidelines for Students Identified as Homeless
Baldwin County Public Schools
Updated

2. Just a Few Facts from The National Center on Family Homelessness
One in 45 children experience homelessness in America each year.  That's over 1.6 million children.
In any given day, researchers estimate that more than 200,000 children have no place to live.
42% of children in homeless families are under age six.
By age twelve, 83% of homeless children had been exposed to at least one serious violent event.
Four times more likely to show delayed development.
Twice as likely to have learning disabilities as non-homeless children.
Children experiencing homelessness are sick four times more often than other children.
Children experiencing homelessness have three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems compared to non-homeless children.

3. What is the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act.
This legislation ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness have full and equal access to an appropriate public education and that they experience success in school.

4. Guarantees of McKinney-Vento Act
Attendance and Success
Students with appropriate support are more likely to attend school on a regular basis.
Attendance is critical for school success is to be realized.
Students experiencing homelessness must receive services comparable to those of housed students.
Transportation to the school of origin must be provided, when appropriate.
Social service agencies and school districts must work together to serve students.
Be fully informed of available enrollment options and educational opportunities.
Schools must provide written explanations of placement decisions and the enrollment dispute process.
Separate schools or programs for children and youth experiencing homelessness are prohibited, with the exception of several programs specifically named in the McKinney- Vento Act.
Enrollment
Immediate
May stay in their school of origin
Unaccompanied youth must be provided educational access

5. Who is considered homeless?
Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:
Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, cars, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, camping grounds or similar settings due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
Living emergency or transitional shelters.
Awaiting foster care placement (Until December 10, 2016, then will be removed from McKinney-Vento Definition).
Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

6. Possible Ways to Identify a Student Experiencing Homelessness
Attendance at several schools
More than one family at the same address
Poor hygiene and grooming
Hunger and hoarding food
Vague when asked about proof of residency
Backpacks stay extremely full
Frequent or extended absences
Some common statements used by homeless students/families may include:
"We've moved a lot."
"We're staying with relatives/friends while looking for a place."
"We're going through a bad time right now."

7. What do we provide as a school system?
The law states school systems must coordinate or provide:
Transportation
Free meals
Uniforms
Immunizations – Baldwin County Health Department
Family services – Alta Point

8. What you can do: Be approachable Listen for hints from the student
Listen to student conversations for hints
Listen to parents:
They may call to advise of long absences
Explanations may not make sense

9. Reporting Talk to the student casually
Ask if their family needs assistance
Talk to your school counselor

10. Summary
We can help break the cycle of poverty and homelessness… if we can keep the kids in school.