Transcript McKinney-Vento 101 - Boulder Valley School District

“A mother came to me because she didn’t have any
groceries or money for lunches for her second grader, and
she was not going to get paid until the next week. Their
living situation was ‘only temporary’ until her husband
could find a job (he had been laid off months before and
their house had been recently foreclosed on). They moved
in with her father-in-law and the relationship had become
strained. She sobbed with relief when I told her that we
could help both of her kids until the family could get back
into a home of their own and back on their feet. When I
arrived at work a couple days later, there was a cake on my
desk from her with a note attached saying, ‘there are angels
everywhere.’”
- A BVSD Elementary School
McKinney-Vento 101
TITLE X
OF
TITLE I - NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
REMOVING BARRIERS TO
ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE, AND
ACADEMIC SUCCESS
The McKinney-Vento Act
 Students who are eligible for McKinney-Vento rights
and services are those who lack a “fixed, regular, and
adequate nighttime residence.”
A fixed residence is one that is stationary, permanent,
and not subject to change.
 A regular residence is one that is used on a nightly basis.
 An adequate residence is one that is sufficient for
meeting both the physical and psychological needs
typically met in home environments.

McKinney-Vento: BVSD
 By the end of the 2009-2010 school year, 689
students in the Boulder Valley School District
were determined eligible for rights and services
under this law. These students were identified
in 53 schools in the district.
 McKinney-Vento students’ CSAP scores are the
lowest in the District–lower than ESL, SPED,
and Free and Reduced Lunch groups.
 Research has shown that each school move sets
a student back 4 to 6 months academically.
McKinney-Vento Rights & Services
 Immediate enrollment, even without required documents
 Free lunch and breakfast without a separate application
 Transportation
 Right to remain in your “school of origin”
 Waiver of all school fees
 Referrals for any needed services
 Access to programs and services to ensure academic
success
 Confidentiality
“Julian is one of our students who receives a bus
pass through McKinney-Vento. His attendance was
very spotty before this. He often could not make it
to school because he could not afford
transportation. Since he has been receiving his bus
pass every month, his attendance has been
awesome! Thanks to McKinney-Vento, Julian’s
grades, attendance, and attitude have improved.”
- A BVSD High School
Who qualifies for McKinney-Vento?
 Students and families who are experiencing unstable
living situations, such as:
Living in a shelter
 Unsheltered (cars, campgrounds, parks, etc.)
 Living “doubled-up” with family or friends due to
economic hardship
 Unaccompanied youth (youth not in the custody of a
guardian)
 Living in hotels or motels
 Other inadequate situations that may include: utilities are
off, space is too small, lack of food, etc.

Warning Signs
 Lack of Continuity in Education
 Poor Health/Nutrition
 Transportation and Attendance Problems
 Poor Hygiene
 Lack of Privacy/Personal Space After School
 Social and Behavioral Concerns
 Reactions/Statements by Parent, Guardian, or Child
I think a student qualifies. What do I do?
 Fill out a McKinney-Vento referral form – fax or
email it to Wendy Gaylord or Catalina Mendez,
BVSD’s District McKinney-Vento team.


You can access the referral form online (type in “McKinney-Vento”
in the search box of the BVSD website).
Wendy or Catalina will contact the family to determine eligibility –
determinations are made on a case-by-case basis.
 Talk to your McKinney-Vento School Liaison.
Please do not hesitate when making a referral – we’d rather
have four referrals on the same student than none at all!
.
BOULDER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
McKinney-Vento Referral Form
This form is intended to address the McKinney-Vento Act which provides additional services to students if their
RESIDENCE IS NOT FIXED, REGULAR AND ADEQUATE.
Presently, where is the student living? (Check one box)
______ Sheltered (EFAA, Safehouse, youth shelter, emergency/temporary foster care, etc.)
______ Doubled Up due to Economic Hardship with Family or Friends
______ Unsheltered (Cars, Parks, Campgrounds, etc)
______ Hotels/Motels
______ Other _____________________________________________________________
The student/students: (Check one box)
______ is/are in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
______ is/are NOT in the physical custody of a parent or guardian (ex.: living alone, with a relative who
is not your legal guardian, living with other people)
Students
ID #s
Parent(s)/Legal Guardian(s):
Address:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Add’l Phone:
Is transportation needed?
yes
Comments:
DOB
Age
Gender
School
City, State, Zip:
no
Important: School or Agency Contact Person who may know of the family’s situation:
School or Agency:___________________ Name:___________________________ Phone:____________ Date:___
Please fax this Referral Form to Catalina Mendez, Homeless Liaison, at (303) 447-5173
For additional Information contact:
Wendy Gaylord, LCSW at (720) 561-5932 [email protected]
Catalina Mendez, Homeless Liaison at (720) 561-5925 [email protected]
Grade
Flow of Referrals & Information
Schools
(any staff
member)
Community
Resources
Individuals
(parents,
friends,
etc.)
SEO
Application
District
McKinney-Vento Team
Removal of Barriers
Referrals for Needed
Services
McKinney-Vento School Liaison
Academic
Supports
Referrals for
Needed
Services
Fees
Waived
District Departments and
Programs: Enrollment,
Nutrition Services,
Transportation, K-Care,
SAC, etc.
McKinney-Vento School Liaison
 The Principal of each school has appointed a
person to serve as the McKinney-Vento School
Liaison. The McKinney-Vento School Liaison in
(school name) is (liaison name).
 The role of the McKinney-Vento School Liaison
includes being an informational resource and
requires specific actions.
McKinney-Vento School Liaison
 Informational Resource
 Knows
the McKinney-Vento law and serves as a “go
to” person for staff, students, and families.
 Receives information regarding students’ eligibility
and identified needs.
 Keeps the list of McKinney-Vento students.
 Communicates with the District McKinney-Vento
team, especially regarding family changes.
McKinney-Vento School Liaison
 Specific Actions
 Maintains
records.
 Disseminates information and makes judgment calls
regarding confidentiality (who “needs to know”?)
 Ensures that fees are waived in a sensitive fashion.
 Makes appropriate referrals to both internal and
external supports.
 Periodically checks-in with families.
 Distributes bus passes.
“One of our McKinney students is in the Concert Choir. After talking
with the student, our school counselor realized that the student was
unable to purchase the required clothing. Within a week, a special “field
trip” was planned and the student made her first-ever outing to Kohl’s
with the counselor. By the end of the trip, she was completely outfitted
for future performances. One would’ve thought they were shopping for
prom; the student was so in awe of the whole experience. The student
told a teacher that she really didn’t know what to do to express her
thanks. A simple thank you note and parading through the office each
time she wore the outfit was sufficient. That and the fact that she was
able to continue singing and performing with confidence alongside her
peers in the choir. She felt special, not awkward, proud, not ashamed,
and connected with her school and the people in it.”
- A BVSD Middle School