MCKINNEY VENTO LIAISON TRAINING NOVEMBER 14 2018 MCKINNEYVENTO

MCKINNEY VENTO LIAISON TRAINING NOVEMBER 14, 2018

MCKINNEY-VENTO DEFINITION OF HOMELESS § Children or youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth: – Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason – Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations – Living in emergency or transitional shelters, or are

MCKINNEY-VENTO DEFINITION (CONT. ) – Living in a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings – Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings – Migratory children living in the above circumstances Pub. L. No. 114 -95, § 9105(a)(1)(B), 129 Stat. 2137 § The term unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian Pub. L. No. 114 -95, § 9105(a)(3), 129 Stat. 2137

NATIONAL SCHOOL DATA, 2015 -2016 Enrolled by Primary Nighttime Residence Hotels/Motels; 7% Unsheltered; 3% Shelters, Transitional Housing; 14% Doubled-up; 76%

59104 56388 54669 54385 53733 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 FY 18 ILLINOIS PK-12 MKV COUNTS

UNDERSTANDING WHY FAMILIES LOSE HOUSING Common causes of why families lose housing – Economic challenges (lack of affordable housing, poverty, unemployment/underemployment, single parenting/single income) – Health challenges (disabilities, mental health issues, substance abuse) – Domestic violence

UNDERSTANDING THE MKV YOUTH Common causes of youth homelessness – Abuse or neglect – Acute conflict (pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, blended family issues, substance abuse) – Economic challenges (pressure for older children to be financially independent) – Shelter policies (lack of space for whole family,

UNDERSTANDING SUBSTANDARD HOUSING Considerations: – Does the housing lack one of the fundamental utilities such as water, electricity, or heat? – Is the housing infested with vermin or mold? – Does the housing lack a basic functional part such as a working kitchen or a working

THE REMOVAL OF AFCP ESSA removes “awaiting foster care placement” from the definition of MKV

MAIN THEMES OF MCKINNEY-VENTO • • • Identification. School stability. School enrollment Support for academic success. Child-centered, best interest decision making.

OBSTACLES TO IDENTIFICATION §Embarrassment or fear of being judged. §Fear of losing custody (NOT a reason for having children removed) §Unaccompanied youth may fear being returned to an unsafe family environment or taken into the child welfare system

OBSTACLES TO IDENTIFICATION (CONT. ) §Schools and service providers may be unaware of students who are not enrolled in school but are in shelters or are doubled up. §Do not realize that they are considered MKV-eligible since MKV and HUD definitions are different.

STRATEGIES TO HELP IDENTIFY § Create community awareness. § Develop Interagency Partnerships. § Train school staff. § Provide information to parents. § Reach out to youth.

THE STUDENT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS MKV-ELIGIBLE NOW WHAT? ?

SCHOOL STABILITY Each LEA shall, according to each child’s or youth’s best interest: ➢ Continue the student’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness, and until the end of the academic year in which the student becomes permanently housed; OR ➢ Enroll in any public school that housed students living where the student is living are eligible to attend. ➢ In Illinois, the parent/guardian makes the best interest determination.

SCHOOL OF ORIGIN School of origin is the school attended when permanently housed or school in which last enrolled, including a preschool and including the designated receiving school at the next grade level for feeder schools.

ENROLLMENT When remaining in the school of origin is not in the student’s best interest or what the parent, guardian or youth requests: Mc. Kinney-Vento students are entitled to immediate enrollment in any public school that students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend; even if: • Students do not have required documents, such as school records, records of immunization and other required health records, proof of residency, guardianship, or other documents; or • Students have missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness.

FREE BIRTH CERTIFICATES FOR MKV § As of January 1, 2018 MKV-eligible students can get a free birth certificate for Illinois courthouses. § The form can be found at the following address: https: //www. isbe. net/Documents/Homeless_Birth_Certificate_Form. pdf www. roe 53. net

ENROLLMENT ➢ “Enrollment” includes attending classes and participating fully in school activities. ➢SEAs and LEAs must develop, review, and revise policies to remove barriers to the identification, enrollment and retention of children and youth in homeless situations, including barriers due to outstanding fees or fines, or absences. ➢https: //nche. ed. gov/downloads/briefs/enrollment. pdf

ENROLLMENT OF UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH “Unaccompanied Youth: A youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. 11432(g)(1)(H)(iv) ➢ Immediate enrollment applies, even without parent or guardian. • Youth self-enrollment; Caregiver authorization form • http: //www. isbe. net/homeless/pdf/8304 J_caregivers. pdf ➢Liaisons must help unaccompanied youth choose and enroll in a school, give priority to the youth’s wishes, and inform the youth of his/her appeal rights. ➢ https: //nche. ed. gov/downloads/briefs/youth. pdf

SUPPORT FOR SUCCESS – YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE! ➢Collaborate with area community agencies – help with food, services, transportation, etc. ➢Share the information with other teachers and staff as needed. ➢Create networks.

SUPPORT FOR SUCCESS – TITLE IA ➢Funds may be used: • For homeless children and youth attending any school in the LEA. • For services not ordinarily provided to other students. • To fund the Mc. Kinney-Vento liaison. • To provide transportation to the school of origin. • For educationally related support services, including preschool.

TITLE IA FUNDS – CAN BE USED FOR… – Clothing, particularly if necessary for dress code or physical education classes. – Fees to participate in the general education program. School supplies Birth certificates necessary to enroll in school Food (in connection with educational programming) Medical and dental services, immunizations, glasses, hearing aids Counseling services Outreach services Extended learning time; Tutoring services Fees for AP, IB, GED testing – – – –

NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH ACT ü Mc. Kinney-Vento students are automatically eligible for free school meals. ü USDA policy permits liaisons and shelter directors to obtain free school meals for students immediately by providing a list of names of students experiencing homelessness with effective dates.

TRANSPORTATION ➢ LEAs must provide transportation to and from the school/preschool of origin, including until the end of the year when the student obtains permanent housing, at a parent or guardian’s request (or at the liaison’s request for unaccompanied youth). • If staying in the same LEA, that LEA must provide or arrange transportation to the school of origin. • If crossing LEA lines, both LEAs must determine how to divide the responsibility and share the cost, or they must share the cost equally. http: //www. isbe. net/funding/pdf/50 -27 -homelesstransportation

DISPUTE RESOLUTION a dispute arises over eligibility, school selection, transportation or enrollment in a school (including full participation): • The student shall be immediately enrolled and/or provided transportation; • Illinois: • “If – The Regional Superintendent shall appoint a fair and impartial Ombudsperson to convene a meeting of the parties. – The Ombudsperson’s decision may be appealed to the State Coordinator for review. The State Superintendent shall make the final determination.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION ROLE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ▪ Immediate Enrollment ▪ Fee waivers, including graduation, extra-curricular & tech fees ▪ Transportation (if needed) ▪ Provide a stable environment ▪ Connection to social agencies ▪ Provide a liaison ▪ Use Title I set-side ▪ Priority to Head Start & Pre-K Programs ▪ Provide educational rights for homeless youth.

Resources Go to isbe. net and in the search box type in “homeless”. • Includes Caregiver Form • Homeless Dispute Resolution Procedures • Registration Guidance • And many other resources, forms, and presentations http: //www. roe 26. net/homeless www. roe 53. net • Transportation plan • Presentation • Common Form https: //nche. ed. gov/ National Center for Homeless Education • Includes webinars and self-paced training • Other resources regarding homelessness

QUESTIONS? Jay Wallace jwallace@roe 53. net 309 -477 -2290 Eileen Shoup eshoup@roe 26. net 309 -575 -3231