Early Childhood Education Programs for Children in Temporary Housing Presented by

Who we are Administration for Children’s Services, Division of Early Care and Education • Runs largest publicly-funded childcare system in the country, serving over 100,000 children • Provides quality early care and education services to eligible children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old in center and family child care settings through EarlyLearn NYC

Department of Homeless Services, Family Services • Provides temporary emergency shelter to families with children and pregnant women

Department of Education’s Students in Temporary Housing (STH ) • Unit within the Office of Safety and Youth Development • Provides technical assistance and work directly with schools and students in temporary housing, including those in shelters • Provides services students are entitled to under the McKinney Vento Act and Chancellor’s Regulation A-780

NYS-TEACHS • Funded by the State Education Department and housed at Advocates for Children • Provides technical assistance on homeless education issues, including Hotline (800388-2014), Website, Webinars, Annual Workshops, and on-site training

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Video “Change the First Five Years and You Change Everything” from The Ounce http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbSp88P Be9E

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Poll 1

Who is on the call?

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Before we get started…

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Pre-Test 1.What percentage of a person’s brain is developed by the time he or she is five years old? a. 10% b. 40% c. 70% d. 90%

2.Children from low-income neighborhoods who attend high-quality preschool programs are less likely to… a. Be held back a grade in school b. Be placed in special education classes c. Drop out of high school d. Become a teen parent e. All of the above

3. Children in temporary housing are guaranteed a yellow school bus to/from their pre-k program. True or False? 4. Children in temporary housing are categorically eligible for Head Start and receive priority enrollment. True or False? 5.Families living in shelters should NOT pre-register their children for early childhood education programs (such as pre-k, Head Start, or EarlyLearn), because they don't know where they will be living in September. True or False? 6

Key Takeaways • Children who go to quality early childhood education programs are: • Better prepared for kindergarten AND • More likely to graduate from high school, hold a job, have higher earnings

• Quality early childhood education programs: • • • •

EarlyLearn NYC Other Head Start programs UPK or Pre-K Programs for children with special needs: • Early Intervention • Preschool Special Education services

• Shelter-based staff play very important role in making sure parents know about different early childhood education programs and in helping parents enroll their children

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Today’s Topics Importance of Participating in Early Childhood Education Programs

Types of Early Childhood Education Programs

Strategies to Engage Parents

Other Resources 8

General Preschool Programs • EarlyLearn NYC – administered by ACS • Head Start • Universal Pre-K (UPK)

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EarlyLearn NYC • Free, high quality early education program for children 6 weeks to five years old. • Combination of Head Start, Child Care, and UPK. • Higher standards than other childcare programs • All programs offer full-day sessions

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Who’s Eligible for EarlyLearn NYC • Head Start: • All children in shelters are eligible for Head Start

• Child Care Subsidy: • Families receiving cash assistance • Low income families and • Parent working or in an educational/training program • Parent who needs child care to attend services in response to domestic violence • Families receiving preventive services or who have an open ACS case

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How to find EarlyLearn programs in your area • Call 311 • Access the EarlyLearn NYC program directory at http://www.nyc.gov/html/acs/html/child_care/f or_parents.shtml • If the parent gets cash assistance, ask the local Job Center for more information • If the parent doesn’t get cash assistance, text “EARLYLEARN” TO 877-877

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Head Start • Other Head Start Centers, in addition to EarlyLearn programs • Open to children ages 3-5 • Free 8-hour day programs • Many medical, dental, nutritional, and adult educational services to families • Eligibility: All children in shelters are eligible • To Enroll: • Call 311 • Use the online Head Start Locator: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/HeadStart Offices

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Head Start and children who are homeless

• 3-5-year old children who are homeless • are categorically eligible for Head Start and • must be prioritized for enrollment

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Universal Pre-K (UPK or Pre-K)  Free, half-day and full-day programs  Located in public schools or community-based organizations  Eligibility:  Open to all 4-year olds: Children born in 2010 can begin Sept 2014

To Enroll: o Complete application in the spring (March 3- April 1) o Online or o at an Enrollment Center or o Apply at the community-based organization anytime 15

Applying Online for Pre-K: Step 1 Parent MUST have email address to apply online.

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Step 2: First Time Visitors Create a DOE Account

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Step 3: Apply Now

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You’re Done!

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Pre-K o Seats are often still available in the fall o Call 311 o Use NYCityMap to locate programs near you: http://maps.nyc.gov/doitt/nycitymap o Go to the DOE’s website for more information: http://schools.nyc.gov/ChoicesEnrollment/Pre K/default.htm

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Poll 2 Preschoolers who are homeless are enrolled in preschool at the same rate as preschoolers who are permanently housed. True or False?

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Children in shelters and participation in preschool 8000

7000

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5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

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Children in shelters age birth-4

Children in shelters in EarlyLearn programs

Children in shelters age 4

Children in shelters enrolled in UPK 28

McKinney-Vento and UPK Immediate Enrollment

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Variances Principal can send a request to the Office of Early Learning (NYSED), attn: Meg McNiff which can be emailed to: [email protected] Request should state: Variance is needed for homeless student

# of students in class, # of staff in class

Any other special issues for SED to consider

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Transportation • Parents can get a Metro-Card to take their child to a pre-K program. • To get a Metro-Card, contact: • Dep’t of Education Family Assistant or • STH Content Experts

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Recap • Participation in quality early childhood programs can help kids be better prepared for kindergarten and beyond! • Children in shelters are categorically eligible for Head Start and should be given priority on all wait lists • Parents can get a free MetroCard to take their children to pre-k • Help parents sign their children up for EarlyLearn, Head Start and Pre-K programs in the spring! • Help parents find programs in the area • Let them know about upcoming deadlines • Help parents complete applications online

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Questions?

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Early Childhood Education for Children with Disabilities

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Poll 3 Approximately 45% of homeless preschoolers have at least one major developmental delay. True or False?

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Young children who are homeless Approximately: • 75% - at least one major developmental delay • 40% - two or more major developmental delays • 35% - emotional or behavioral problems

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Children with Disabilities Early Intervention and preschool special education services address delays in one of five areas: • Cognitive • Communication • Physical/Motor • Social/Emotional • Adaptive/Self-Help

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Early Intervention • Free program for children ages birth–3 run by the Department of Health • Examples of services: • • • •

OT, PT, speech Health, nursing, or nutrition services Psychological or social work services Family training, counseling, respite

• How to apply? • Call 311 • Make sure the parent can describe the reason for the referral (what developmental milestones has the child missed?) 38

Preschool Special Education • Run by Department of Education for children ages 3-5 • Examples of services: • • • • • • •

Speech and language therapy Occupational therapy Physical therapy Counseling (play therapy) Parent training; School health services SEIT: Special Education Itinerant Teacher • Special class in an integrated setting (half-day or full-day) • Special class (half-day or full-day)

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How to access Preschool Special Education • Send a letter to the Chairperson of the local Committee on Special Education • What to include: • • • • •

Parent wants a preschool special education evaluation Reason for concern; why parent thinks child may need services Any services child received in past (such as Early Intervention) Parent’s contact information Parent’s signature

• How to send: • Drop it off at the CSE (make sure to keep a copy!) • Fax it to the CSE

• Evaluations • After getting the letter, the Committee on Preschool Special Education will send the parent an evaluation packet • Parent must arrange the free evaluation with one of the agencies listed in the packet 40

Scenario In April, a family is placed in the shelter where you work. The family’s source of income is SSI. One of the children, Maria, is 2 years, 11 months old. Her mother really wants Maria to attend preschool. Maria’s mother thinks that Maria may have a speech and language delay. Which program(s) is Maria eligible for? a) Early Intervention b) Child care program c) Head Start program d) Pre-K

Bonus: Are there any other programs Maria’s mother should look into?

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Scenario You just started working with a family in your shelter that has three young children aged 9 months, 2, and 4. The children are not in school. The mother has an open public assistance case and the family receives cash assistance. Which programs are the children eligible for? a) Head Start b) Pre-K c) EarlyLearn d) All of the above

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Tips • Build a community that encourages preschool enrollment! • Identify Pre-K and EarlyLearn Programs in the area • Have shelter-wide Pre-K enrollment week/month • Encourage staff to help parents enroll • Online for pre-k if the parent has an email address or • At the Enrollment Center

• Invite representatives from preschool programs to present to parents at the shelter 43

Tips • Encourage parents to participate in open-house events at local preschool programs • Share information with parents about the importance of preschool to counter any anxiety they may have about sending their children

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Myth-busting • Break down myths for parents that may prevent enrollment: • MetroCards available to parents to take their children to pre-k programs • Some EarlyLearn programs have services for up to 10-hrs to accommodate working parents • EarlyLearn and UPK programs have rigorous safety standards and licensing requirements (unlike informal daycare options)

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Quick Guide General Preschool Programs: • EarlyLearn • 6 weeks-5 yrs old, depends on program • Call 311 • Head Start • 3-4 yrs old • Call 311 • UPK • 4 yrs old (born in 2010) • Apply online, at Enrollment Center, or at community-based organization

Early Childhood Programs for Children with Disabilities • Early Intervention • Birth-3 yrs old • Call 311 • Preschool Special Education • 3-5 yrs old • Write to CSE Chair to request evaluation

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Questions?

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Post-Test

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Post-Test 1.What percentage of a person’s brain is developed by the time he or she is five years old? a. 10% b. 40% c. 70% d. 90%

2.Children from low-income neighborhoods who attend high-quality preschool programs are less likely to… a. Be held back a grade in school b. Be placed in special education classes c. Drop out of high school d. Become a teen parent e. All of the above

3. Children in temporary housing are guaranteed a yellow school bus to/from their pre-k program. True or False? 4. Children in temporary housing are categorically eligible for Head Start and receive priority enrollment. True or False? 5.Families living in shelters should NOT pre-register their children for early childhood education programs (such as pre-k, Head Start, or EarlyLearn), because they don't know where they will be living in September. True or False? 49

Where to get help?

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STH Content Experts OSYD Borough Center  Location

Districts

STH Content Expert Name

Office Number

E‐mail

Bronx 1 Fordham Plz, Rm 816 Bronx, NY 10458

7, 8, 9,  Stephanie Dyer 10, 11, 12 Bak Harris

718‐741‐7783  [email protected] 718‐741‐8595 [email protected] 

Brooklyn North 131 Livingston St, 4th Fl Brooklyn, NY 11201

13, 14,  Jean Regnier 15, 16,  Wayne Harris 19, 23, 32

718‐935‐3296 [email protected] 718‐935‐3562 [email protected]

Brooklyn South 1780 Ocean Ave., Rm 1B Brooklyn, NY 11230

17, 18,  20, 21,  22, 31

Charlene Mitchell Edonine Castor

718‐758‐7722 [email protected] 718‐758‐7635 [email protected] 

Manhattan 333 7th Avenue, 7th Fl New York, NY 10001

1, 2, 3, 4,  Cecilio (Bo) Diaz 5, 6 Iris Gersten

917‐339‐1698 [email protected] 917‐339‐1718 [email protected]

Queens 28‐11 Queens Plaza N LIC, NY 11101

24, 25,  Winnie Tjioe 26, 27,  Stephanie  28, 29, 30 Goldstein

718‐391‐6849 [email protected] 718‐391‐6843 [email protected]

Special Education 400 First Ave, Rm 113 New York, NY 10010

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Michele Marcel

212‐802‐1579 [email protected] 51

Pre‐K Contact Information For additional  information about…

Contact Office of Student Enrollment

Pre‐Kindergarten Admissions

Phone:718‐935‐2009 Website: www.nyc.gov/schools/prek Email: [email protected]

Office of Early Childhood Education CBO Enrollment Process

Brooklyn/Staten Island:  Christopher McKay ‐ (718) 643‐ 1173 Bronx/Manhattan: Trisia Carter ‐ (718) 741‐3963 Queens:  Richard Switach ‐ (718) 642‐5803 

Early Childhood  www.nyc.gov/schools/Academics/EarlyChildhood/ Education Instructional  ParentResources Programs and Services

CSE Contact Information CSE

DISTRICT

1

7,9,10

ADDRESS One Fordham Plaza,7th floor

PHONE/FAX Phone: (718) 329-8001

Bronx, NY 10458

Fax: (718) 741-7928/7929 nd

3450 East Tremont Ave., 2 2

8,11,12

25, 26 3 28, 29

fl

Español: (718) 794-7490

30-48 Linden Place Flushing, NY 11354 90-27 Sutphin Boulevard

Fax: (718) 794-7445 Phone: (718) 281-3461 Fax: (718) 281-3478 Phone: (718) 557-2553

4 27 5

19,23,32

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17,18,22 20,21

7 31 8

13,14,15,16

9

1,2,4

10

3,5,6

Charter Schools

All Districts

Michele Beatty

Esther Morell Esther Morell

Fax: (718) 557-2620/2510 th

24, 30

Rosetta BrownLee

Phone: (718) 794-7429

Bronx, NY 10465

Jamaica, NY 11435

CONTACT

28-11 Queens Plaza N., 5 fl

Phone: (718) 391-8405

Long Island City, NY 11101

Fax: (718) 391-8556

82-01 Rockaway Blvd. 2nd fl

Phone: (718) 642-5715

Ozone Park, NY 11416 1665 St. Marks Avenue

Fax: (718) 642-5891 Phone: (718) 240-3557/3558

Brooklyn, NY 11233 5619 Flatlands Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11234 th 415 89 Street Brooklyn, NY 11209 715 Ocean Terrace, Building A

Fax: (718) 240-3555 Phone: (718) 968-6200 Fax: (718) 968-6253 Phone: (718) 759-4900 Fax: (718) 759-4970 Phone: (718) 420-5790

Staten Island, NY 10301 th 131 Livingston Street, 4 fl

Fax: (718) 420-5787 Phone: (718) 935-4900

Brooklyn, NY 11201 th th 333 7 Avenue, 4 fl New York, NY 10001 th 388 West 125 Street New York, NY 10027 One Fordham Plaza,7th floor

Fax (718) 935-5167 Phone: (917) 339-1600 Fax: (917) 339-1450 Phone: (212) 342-8300 Fax: (212) 342-8427 Phone: (718) 329-8001

Bronx, NY 10458

Fax: (718) 741-7928/7929

Chris Cinicola Chris Cinicola Geraldine Beauvil Arlene Rosenstock Amine Haddad Amine Haddad Deborah CuffeyJackson Jennifer Lozano Jane O'Connor Mariama Sandi

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Regional Early Intervention Offices Borough                                 Address                                                      Phone Brooklyn

16 Court St., 2nd fl., 11241

718‐722‐3310

Bronx

1309 Fulton Ave. 5th fl., 10456

718‐410‐4110

Manhattan

42 Broadway, Suite 1027, 10004

212‐487‐3920

Queens

59‐17 Junction Blvd., 2nd fl., Corona, 11368

718‐271‐1003  ext. 465

Staten Island

2971 Hylan Blvd., 10306

718‐351‐6413

NYC Early Intervention  Beverly Samuels Program Director of Consumer  42‐09 28th Street, Affairs Long Island City, NY 11101‐4132

347‐ 396‐6828

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Resources from NYS-TEACHS

Hotline 800-388-2014 or visit: www.nysteachs.org 55

Thank You! NYC Department of Education Susana Vilardell, Students in Temporary Housing: [email protected] Sharon Rencher, Office of Early Childhood Education NYC Department of Homeless Services Quality Assurance and Program Support (QAPS) Franca N. Okeya: (212) 361-6390/91, [email protected] NYC Administration for Children’s Services Division of Early Care and Education Shari Gruber: (212) 393-5109, [email protected] NYS-TEACHS Jennifer Pringle: (800) 388-2014 or (212) 822-9546, [email protected] Website: www.nysteachs.org 56

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