1. Supporting Homeless and Foster Care Students Through Title I
Federal Grant Programs Conference
May 30, 2018

2. Title I covers homeless students and foster care students
Really? I thought they were all covered by McKinney-Vento.
Under ESSA
Educational stability for students who are homeless or in foster care is promoted
Foster care provisions are now under Title I (students “awaiting foster care” are no longer covered by McKinney-Vento)

3. Students who are homeless
Who are these students?
Students who are homeless
Lack fixed regular and adequate nighttime residence
Including sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason
Students who are in foster care –
Are in 24-hour out-of-home care, away from parent/legal guardian and for whom DCF has care and placement responsibilities

4. Districts may use Title I funds, as needed, to do so
Homeless Students – What is required for supporting homeless students under Title I?
All homeless students who need Title I services or programming must be able to access those services regardless of whether they attend a Title I school
Districts may use Title I funds, as needed, to do so
Districts may do an assessment of their homeless students needs
Allowable expenses may go beyond traditional Title I services/expenses

5. How can the homeless reservation be used?
Allowable expenses
Homeless liaison
Transportation
Food
Academic support (tutors, school supplies)
Unique needs (e.g., uniforms, eyeglasses, out-of-school time programs, immunizations/other needs for school enrollment, etc.)
Remember no supplanting

6. How much is enough? – Calculating your reservation
Options for calculating your reservation using the total Title I allocation :
Per pupil expenditure x average number of homeless students
Determine the % of students who are homeless and calculate an equal % of total Title I funds
Amount to cover a specific cost (i.e., homeless liaison)
Match a McKinney-Vento grant
For districts that report homeless students, DESE recommends but does not require a reservation of between $50 and $100 per homeless student, absent a description of alternative funding sources or in-kind services.

7. Data, assessing the need
State wide we know that ….
2.5% of all students are homeless
3% of all Title I students are homeless
68% of homeless students are accessing Title I programming

8. Foster Care - Title I provisions
Title I foster care provisions
Local Foster Care Point of Contact (POC);
Presumed right to remain enrolled in the school of origin based on a collaborative best interest determination;
Collaboration with DCF;
Ensure that transportation is provided, if needed to remain in the school of origin;
Ensure immediate enrollment when it’s in a student’s best interest to enroll locally where they reside.

9. Title I funds for children in foster care?
Foster care responsibilities can be funded through Title I using a district reservation.
Allowable Expenses -
Including the Point Of Contact
Other educational and related needs; and
Additional costs of transportation.
Calculate based on need.