THE EDUCATION OF HOMELESS CHILDREN WHAT YOU SHOULD AND MUST KNOW IF YOUR PROGRAM SERVES FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OR UNACCOMPANIED HOMELESS YOUTH
June 9, 2013
Goals of today’s Training To get a clear understanding of the McKinney Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program To assist M‐DCPS in identifying homeless students being served in M‐DCPS To learn about services available for students in transition through the school District To understand what the Homeless Trust expects
Homeless Education Program‐
Project Up‐START
Who are we at Project UP‐START?
Deborah Montilla – District Director, Division of Student Services Debra Albo‐Steiger ‐ Project Manager Mercy Arbucias – District Homeless Liaison Maira Leon – Community Liaison Specialist Aly Romero – Community Liaison Specialist
Project UP‐START Updating Personnel Support and Tutoring Activities to Retain Transitioning students
M‐DCPS Homeless Education Project UP‐START Mission We seek to ensure a successful educational experience for homeless children and youth in Miami‐Dade County by collaborating with parents, schools, and community through opening the doors to academic opportunities, removing barriers, and promoting a healthy sense of self.
How do we achieve our mission?
Outreach with schools & homeless housing programs to identify homeless students Once identified, provide services to homeless students or link them with providers who can help
How do we achieve our mission? Promote homeless awareness throughout M‐ DCPS employees and students so that we decrease the stigma of homelessness Apply for grants, seek donors, or promote different drives to both raise homeless awareness & help students in need
Identifying Students
Who is Homeless?
The McKinney‐Vento Homeless assistance Act, reauthorized in January 2002, ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness This is a Federal Law
Who is Homeless? DOE vs USHUD Homeless Definitions of “homeless youth” vary Regardless – ALL youth considered homeless are entitled to certain educational rights
Who is Homeless?
er DOE: Living in emergency or transitional shelters Shares the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason, “doubled up” Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations Awaiting foster care placement
The Scale of Homelessness 6,561 M‐DCPS students were identified as homeless during the 2012‐2013 school year up from 5,711 the previous year Includes children in homeless housing w/parents
302 M‐DCPS students were identified as “unaccompanied” youth in 2012‐13
Breakdown of the numbers, as of February 23rd, 2013 Shelter Doubled‐Up Cars & Parks, etc. Hotels Total
2589 3673 31 268 6561
How are homeless students identified? During registration at school (i.e. no proof of address) Self‐report to school staff Families/Students calling our office directly Homeless housing provider or outside agency referral Filling out the free lunch form & marking homeless Referrals from other staff at School District
Providing Services
A Student is Homeless… Now What? McKinney Vento Act Ensures: Immediate Enrollment School Stability Transportation Enrolled During Disputes Comparable Services Homeless students are not to be stigmatized or separated
Immediate Enrollment
M‐DCPS enrollment procedures to facilitate the egistration for homeless students:
1. Immediate enrollment using Project UP‐START referral forms (7378 & 6980 or 7404) 2. Fax referral forms to Project UP‐START 305‐995‐7337 3. The enrolling school must immediately contact the school last attended by student to obtain relevant academic or other records
Immediate Enrollment
‐DCPS enrollment procedures to facilitate the gistration for homeless students (continued): If a child needs to obtain immunization or medical records, the enrolling school must immediately enroll the student and then refer parent to the local health department (families have 30 days to provide documentation)
Immediate Enrollment
‐DCPS enrollment procedures to facilitate the gistration for homeless students (continued): Use the address the parent provides ‐ utility bills, leases, etc. do not apply when a parent discloses they are in a homeless situation A school selected on the basis of a “best interest determination” must immediately enroll the homeless child even if the child is unable to produce the records normally required for enrollment Note: Students also qualify for immediate enrollment in Free Lunch program
School Stability
tudents who are “in transition” can be so for quite ome time, often several years Oftentimes school is the only constant students have n their lives Project UP‐START tries to ensure that homeless tudents can stay in their “school of origin”
School Stability
When attending the school of origin is not in the tudent’s best interest, he/she can transfer to the ome school at their new address When a student withdraws, schools need to make ure they transfer to a new school so we do not lose hem
Transportation
Transportation can be requested when a homeless student lives over two miles from school (cannot provide to pre‐K and Head Start) Transportation to school of origin or home school s guaranteed, but not always in the form of a school bus:
if denied, other alternatives are county bus pass for the student only or mileage reimbursement for the
Transportation
Students going to schools of choice cannot request bus transportation through our program (e.g. Magnet or Charter schools)
Charter schools should provide transportation if students attending school already receives transportation
Student can transfer to their home school if parents choose and transportation is provided if they qualify
Enrolled during dispute
n the event there is a dispute about enrollment, a omeless student will remain at the school while the nrollment is under dispute The goal is to keep all students in school even if there is a dispute about which school student should attend Homeless parents cannot choose a school for their student to attend We look at what is in the BEST INTEREST of the student, either the school of origin or the home school
Comparable Services
Project UP‐START’s goal is to remove barriers for students in transition, NOT to give an advantage We cannot put students into a magnet, charter school, or any type of program any more than a non‐homeless student n cases of early Head Start/Head Start, when applying to the programs homeless students are given extra points that should help them on the waitlist for a
Homeless students are not to be stigmatized or separated
Being homeless is confidential and the information is protected When speaking with families, we often say “living in transition” because of the stigma associated with homelessness Most students are not aware that they are homeless and it does not help for us to force that term onto them
Project UP‐START provides the following: Book Bags * School Supplies * Uniforms * Non-Perishable Food and Toiletries *
Tutoring at select homeless shelters Academic Advising to students at Miami Bridge
Counseling at select homeless shelters Parenting Groups at select homeless shelters
* Please call 305‐995‐7583 to schedule pick up of
Working with Unaccompanied Youth
Who Are Unaccompanied Youth? Per USHUD: 24 years of age or younger Youth in unstable living situations due to parental incarceration, illness, hospitalization or death Initially homeless with their families, but end up on their own due to lack of space in temporary accommodations or shelter policies that prohibit adolescent boys
Who Are Unaccompanied Youth?
Many unaccompanied children and youth have fled due to physical, sexual, or parent drug/alcohol abuse in the home Youth from other countries sent to live with relatives & then kicked out Youth with families not accepting sexual orientation or pregnancy
Must schools ENROLL unaccompanied youth in school?
The McKinney‐Vento Act requires immediate enrollment of homeless children and youth. Absence of a parent/guardian cannot delay or prevent enrollment. Complete the Caregiver’s Authorization Form (7402) Provide the caregiver with the Family Court number (305) 349‐5508 The family court will assist the family with the process involved in obtaining temporary custody
Must schools ENROLL unaccompanied youth in school?
ack of enrollment documents cannot delay or prevent nrollment Enrollment is permitted without enrollment documents, such as school records, immunizations, proof of residency, etc.
Do schools contact police when enrolling unaccompanied youth?
O. This would create a barrier to enrollment and etention in school! Schools must enroll youth immediately; school is the safest and best place for youth. Educators are only mandated to report suspected abuse and/or neglect (homelessness alone generally is not abuse/neglect), and this reporting can be to child welfare
Do schools contact police when enrolling unaccompanied youth?
If you have reason to suspect kidnapping, you can immediately see if the student has been reported missing at www.missingkids.com or 1‐800‐THE‐LOST.
When in doubt… Contact Information Debra Albo‐Steiger (305) 995‐7318
[email protected]
Mercy Arbucias (305) 995‐7558
Maira Leon (305) 995‐7583
[email protected]
[email protected]
Aly Romero
[email protected]
Student Services Department Project UP‐START ‐ Homeless Education Program Fax (305) 995‐7337 “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded”
Homeless Trust Requirements
What are your responsibilities?
Ensure at least ONE (1) staff member knows/ understands McKinney‐Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program/Act Ensure immediate enrollment following placement in program
Within 72 hours of placement
Coordinate transportation, if needed Coordinate uniforms, books, etc., if needed Report changes in family/student status (w/in 24 hrs)
New Opportunities for Younger Children
Early Childhood Priorities
B 7125 approved by Florida Legislature in 2013 rovides priority placement for homeless children in arly childhood programs More information and program guidelines under evelopment
Q & A
UPCOMING TRAINING ADA Homeless Definition/Chronic Homeless Definition Homeless Verification Forms and Process Determining Client Contributions Grant Writing SOAR Training Accessing Mainstream Resources Helping LGBTQ clients Helping Veterans Helping Victims of DV/Trauma