Transcript Kids Without Homes: Module for Health Care staff

Kids Without Homes:
A School District
Responds
Compliance Training
for
Health Care Personnel
Contact Information
Homeless Education Liaison
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Name:
Office Phone:
Other Phone:
Email:
Federal Law
The McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act
defines and protects the rights of
homeless students to enroll in,
attend, and succeed in our public
schools
Overview
Major Topics
 Poverty and homelessness
in our community
 The difficult life of homeless
students
 The McKinney-Vento Act
 The role of the homeless
education liaison
 Health problems
The McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act says that children
and youth who lack a fixed, regular,
and adequate nighttime residence
are homeless
Stereotypes of Homelessness
Homelessness in Texas
Poverty is most common in families
that rely on a single mother’s income
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CA
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U.S.
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Increasing Awareness
Life is difficult for our
homeless students
• Common problems
• Effects of poverty and homelessness
• Emotional and social difficulties
• Educational needs
The McKinney-Vento Act
Key Provisions of the Law
• Immediate Enrollment
• Choice of Schools
• Transportation
• Services
• Dispute Resolution
The Homeless Education Liaison
The McKinney-Vento Act
mandates that . . .
• every school district is
required to have a homeless
education liaison
• the liaison is required to
perform specific tasks
Increasing Awareness
Know the possible signs
of homelessness . . .
• Who may be experiencing
homelessness?
• Who may be on the verge
of running away?
Increasing Awareness
Stress factors
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Transient / unstable lifestyle
Living in crowded conditions
Frequently changing schools
Inadequate personal hygiene
Shabby or unclean clothing
Poor health / nutrition
Health Care Concerns
Common Health Issues
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Speech disorders
Head lice and other parasites
Asthma
Stomach disorders / diarrhea
Inner ear infections
Sleeping problems
continued
Health Care Concerns
More Common Health Issues
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Attention Deficit Disorder
Depression / suicidal thoughts
Malnutrition
Hospitalizations
Physical Abuse
continued
Health Care Concerns
More Common Health Issues
• Lack of appropriate
environment in which
to recuperate
• Missing immunizations
and /or records
Immunizations
The Texas Attorney General
says homeless students:
• are exempt from immunization
requirements that ordinarily apply
• have 30 days to provide
documentation or begin the
course of immunizations
Immunizations
FYI
Immunization requirements for
all students have changed for
the 2004-2005 school year.
To read the TDH letter summarizing
the changes, go to:
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/immunize/
docs/school/require_summary.pdf
Assisting our Homeless Students
You can make a difference!
• Immediate assistance
• Continuing care
• Expanding outreach
• Professional development
• Effective communications
Contact Information
Homeless Education Liaison
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Name:
Office Phone:
Other Phone:
Email: