Beyond the In-Service: Getting Your School District Truly Invested in McKinney-Vento

Belton ISD, Texas Elgin ISD, Texas Socorro ISD, Texas 2012 NAEHCY Conference 1

Our Agenda • Who in your school district can help homeless students?

• How can they help?

• How can you engage them?

• “The McKinney-Vento Act in Our Schools” 2

Who and How?

• Which school / district staff can help homeless students?

• How can they help?

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Who can help?

• School board • Superintendents • Principals • Registrars • Secretaries • Counselors • Social workers • Child nutrition • Special education • Safety/security officers •Bus drivers •Attendance officers •Teachers •Janitorial staff •Title I •Migrant program •Students •Others to add?

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• Policies • Procedures • Trainings • Enrollment • Identification • Meals • Connect to services • Host homes • Mentorship • Donations How can they help?

•Connect to extra-curriculars •Relationships with parents •Attendance •Awareness •Sensitivity •Cultural competence •Build trust •Others to add?

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How can you engage them?

Engaging Principals Jennifer Jones and Rosa Chavez Socorro ISD 7

Engaging Principals DEVELOP A PLAN IMPLEMENT & REVISE Short Term • Identify district culture • Identify campus culture • Start at the top • Stay on message • Be flexible Long Term • Take it to the campus • Communicate often • Be the M-V expert • Stay on message • Be flexible ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE, ADVOCATE 8

In the beginning…

PRINCIPALS TRAINING HOMELESS EDUCATION June 17, 2008 Questions about homelessness and education:

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How many children in the United States are estimated to be homeless? a) 587,000 children b) c) d) 258,700 children 1,300,000 children 75,000 children 2.

What is the main school-related challenge for homeless children? a) lack of access to programs b) c) d) frequent school transfers lack of school supplies, clothing, etc. enrollment requirements (residency, school records, immunizations, legal guardianship) 3.

Which legislation strengthened the policy to integrate homeless children with their housed peers in public schools? a) Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 b) c) d) McKinney-Vento Act Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment Solomon Amendment 4.

What constitutes an

unaccompanied youth

? a) children denied housing by their families b) c) runways school-age unwed mothers living in homes for d) unwed mothers all of the above 9

DEPT. OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS Homeless Education for Campus Administrators June 17, 2008

OBJECTIVES:  Become familiar with common characteristics of children & youth who are homeless  Understand enrollment guidelines for homeless students  Ensure that student(s) are provided the same opportunities for success as non-homeless students  Support the school staff assigned to work with the student/student(s) 10

Make the case

Our Partners

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Partnerships • COMMUNITY • BUSINESSES • PROJECT Zzzz • SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL

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Make the case

COMPLIANCE Texas Education Code Chapter 25 specifies that a student who is homeless is entitled to admission in any Texas school district COMPLIANCE SISD Policies Admin. Regulations be familiar with district policies and regulations and work to change/create those that create barriers

FDC (Regulation) 13

At-Risk Students and State Compensatory Education (SCE)

Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG)

describes the rules for financial accounting for Charter Schools, Education Service Centers and School Districts. Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 109.41. Criteria for coding and supporting at-risk students is contained in this document.

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Branding

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How can you engage them?

Engaging Registrars and School Secretaries Noemi Berumen and Sherri Ruiz Belton ISD 16

Education is the KEY

Campus training makes a difference!

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Share In Your Trainings

Use anecdotal information! Make it personal! 18

Support Your Staff Make campus visits and keep registrars informed!

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Front Office Strategies

• Make the student or parent comfortable. • Utilize registration practices that allow families to be proactive about their situation. • Speak about personal situations in a private area. • Be compassionate. 20

How can you engage them?

Engaging School Board members Cheryl Thomas and Byron Mitchell Elgin ISD 21

Engaging School Board Members • Get on the School Board Agenda for presentation or invite members to scheduled training • Take parent and students to talk about benefits of program • Invite school board members to activities in community food banks, service providers 22

Engaging School Board Members (cont.) • Invite Board members to community/school/events such as food, coat, supply drives.

• Send updates • Share report of number of children served and services provided.

• Tell anonymous stories— 23

A Tool to Help Engage Partners • “The McKinney-Vento Act in Our Schools” • 70 interviews in 11 school districts, with and without MV subgrants • 2 videos for community awareness • 8 videos designed for PD with specific groups: •Social workers •Counselors •Principals •Registrars •Federal programs directors •Superintendents, school board members •MV Liaisons •Shelter providers • Shameless commercial: To purchase ($10) contact Patricia Julianelle or visit exhibit area 24

And you?

• What strategies have you used to engage school district partners?

• How do you move from the in-service to real investment in homeless students?

• Questions?

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Contact information • Patricia Julianelle, NAEHCY Legal Director • [email protected]

• Noemi Berumen • [email protected]

• Jennifer Jones • [email protected]

• Cheryl Thomas • [email protected]

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