Transcript Early Childhood Education for Children

Early Childhood Education for
Children Experiencing
Homelessness
ICHP Panel Discussion
January 2012
Diana Bowman, NCHE
Pat Popp, Virginia’s Project HOPE
Challenges Young Homeless
Children Face
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Lack of structure, routine, stability
Trauma
Loss
Lack of access to food
Lack of health care
Adolescent mothers
Inappropriate living conditions (no play
space, overcrowded, unhealthy, overstimulation or under-stimulation)
• Stressed attachments to caregivers
• Invisibility
Barriers to Accessing
Preschool Programs
•Many preschool programs lack capacity
•High mobility can result in not moving up on waiting
lists
•Many children do not have required records upon
enrollment
•Many homeless families live in doubled up situations –
may be more unfamiliar with community resources
•Many homeless families lack transportation
•Shelters may focus more on the needs of the parents
than children
•Preschool programs may not be familiar with
challenges homeless children and families face
McKinney-Vento Act
• Title X, Part C of ESEA
• Addresses public school education
(primarily K-12 education)
• Includes provisions for preschool-aged
children
Structure of the Program
• Education for Homeless Children and
Youth Program in the U.S. Department
of Education (NCHE is the technical
assistance center)
• State Coordinator for homeless
education in state education agencies
• Local Liaison for homeless education in
every school district
–Approximately 11% of school districts
have subgrants
MV Definition of Homeless
• Children who lack a fixed, regular, and
adequate nighttime residence
– Sharing housing due to loss of housing
– In hotels, motels, trailer parks, camping
grounds due to lack of alternative
accommodations
– In shelters
– In cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned
buildings
Basic Provisions of MV
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Immediate enrollment
School stability
Academic support
Coordination with other programs
MV Provisions Specific to
Preschool-aged Children
• Homeless children are entitled to the same
free, appropriate public education as
provided to other children, including
preschool education
• Local liaisons must ensure that homeless
children receive educational services for
which they are eligible, including public
preschool programs
• State Coordinators must coordinate with
other agencies for services to homeless
preschoolers
Serving Young Homeless
Children in Virginia
• 2008-09 HS Needs Assessment
– Lowest level of collaboration = 71.9% - no
working relationship/exchange info range
– Developing partnerships = 62.5% somewhat difficult/difficult
• HS Collaboration Office Strategic Plan
Other Partners at the Table
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Virginia Preschool Initiative
Title I
Early Childhood Special Education
Early Intervention
Local liaisons (some with preK school
division “hats”)
• Shelter representative
• Local Head Start program staff
Results of the Task Force
• EC Parent Pack and mailing
• Summary of state early childhood
programs
• Developing information briefs
• “One stop shop” website
• Training - implementation focus
• Future – joint mini-grants
Addressing Challenges Identification
• Avoid using “homeless;” focus on
temporary nature of housing or being in
transition
• Coordinate with school districts, Head
Start, HUD, and Child Find – mutual
referrals (share enrollment forms)
Addressing Challenges – Waiting
Lists and Lack of Capacity
• Early registration timelines: Current families
register and allow another homeless family
to take the space?
• Help before official enrollment
– Invite to socialization activities
– Provide books or toys
• Home visiting when doubled up or shelter
space are inappropriate
– Open up HS place space, classrooms, etc.
Addressing Challenges –
Lack of Transportation
• If parent has a car, reimburse for
mileage or use gas cards
• Explore coordination with schools:
preschool, ECSE programs
• Public transportation – bus/metro
tickets/passes
Online Lessons on Serving
Preschool-aged Homeless
Children
• Office of Head Start
• http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ttasystem/family/Family%20and%20Com
munity%20Partnerships/Crisis%20Sup
port/Homelessness/homelessness.html
Helpful Web Sites
• Project HOPE-VA: www.wm.edu/hope
• NCHE http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/sc_pres
chool.php
• NAEHCY – www.naehcy.org
• Head Start: www.ECLKC.ohs.hhs.gov
• CoC - http://www.hudhre.info
• Project FORUM http://projectforum.org/docs/Homelessa
ndSpecialEducationAdministrativeColla
boration.pdf
Contact Information
Diana Bowman, Director
National Center for Homeless Education
336-315-7453; [email protected]
Pat Popp, State Coordinator
Project HOPE (Virginia’s Homeless
Education Program)
757-221-7776; [email protected]