Statewide Networks and Postsecondary Programs Monday, October 29, 2012 10:30 – 11:45 College and Career Readiness Those that find the college access process smooth usually: 1) know exactly.
Download ReportTranscript Statewide Networks and Postsecondary Programs Monday, October 29, 2012 10:30 – 11:45 College and Career Readiness Those that find the college access process smooth usually: 1) know exactly.
Statewide Networks and Postsecondary Programs Monday, October 29, 2012 10:30 – 11:45 College and Career Readiness Those that find the college access process smooth usually: 1) know exactly where they want to go 2) know how to get there 3) have the resources to pay for it In which of these categories do homeless students fit? What are Networks? People and organizations working together to help homeless students access and complete postsecondary programs People and organizations that understand how to advocate for populations and how to navigate the system Why Are They Needed? Current college access and success information presumes that students have supporting adults and access to resources. Navigating the transition process into a postsecondary program is complicated and frightening and steers the most highly educated person into a dimension of ignorance. Postsecondary Institutions What do they have in common? Entrance requirements? Y/N? Financial aid packages? Y/N? Housing? Y/N? Understanding of homelessness? Y/N? On-campus supports? Y/N? Academic offerings and supports? Y/N? Supportive off-campus communities? Y/N? Answers: “No” to all. Do We Understand Each Other? Most likely not Growing need; dwindling resources Unclear or nonexistent guidelines that address the issue of homeless education Bottom of the list of priorities for federal, state, and district policy makers Mired in bureaucracy, too much work for too few resources, power struggles without focus We Seem Stuck! What Do Networks Do? Individualize the process Sort through the current policies and procedures of each campus and identify challenges for homeless students Address the amount of flexibility a campus will allow to accommodate the needs of homeless students Inform campus gatekeepers of the needs of homeless students and hope for an understanding How Are Networks Built? Begins with NAEHCY/NCHE staff and volunteers identifying key stakeholders in each state; or, can begin with you Connecting the district liaison, statewide coordinator, and postsecondary contacts Training higher education staff on homeless issues, challenges faced, McKinney-Vento law, and US Department of Education guidelines Training liaisons on higher education policy and procedures Navigation Tool Housing; Financial Aid; Academic Supports; Tutoring/Mentoring; Emergency Services: Health/Counseling; Other needs Understanding Is Strong of homeless issues: Some it a good fit? Possibilities None Existing Networks & Resources Colorado Network Consists of stakeholders from: Colorado Department of Education K-12 McKinney-Vento Liaisons Higher Education personnel from Financial Aid, Admissions, and Student Support Services • Collaborates to streamline the verification process between K-12 and higher education • Has established Single Points of Contact (SPOCS) in all CO colleges/universities to help eliminate barriers to higher education access Colorado Network Barriers addressed included waiving application fees, deferring housing deposits, and connecting students with community resources In 2011 the Colorado taskforce along with the nonprofit homeless service provider Family Tree established private funding to assist UHY. SPOCs apply for funding through Family Tree to provide student IDs, bedding, toiletry items, and other basic needs not covered by other sources North Carolina Network Includes staff from NCHE, NC Homeless Education Program, K-12, public and private universities, community colleges, RHYA program, NC State Education Assistance Authority, College Foundation of NC, etc. Began with top-level administrators More effective after adding members who provide direct services Established Single Points of Contact (SPOCS) in all NC colleges/universities Collaborated on products, publications, webinars, and conference presentations North Carolina Network Started in midst of recession Institutional barriers within systems Budgets for higher ed institutions devastated Personnel cuts Not in any organization’s scope of work Legislative change is required to use standard forms in colleges and universities No champion from higher ed emerged immediately Overcoming Network Barriers Getting Started Building relationships takes time Start time may not be ideal, but keep up progress It’s worth investing the effort to help everyone understand the issues Choose manageable amount of work Keep momentum going Small steps forward are still progress NCHE Resources Helpline: 800-308-2145 or [email protected] Website: http://center.serve.org/nche Access to Higher Education for Students Experiencing Homelessness http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php Scholarships http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/scholarships.php Sample Forms and Materials http://center.serve.org/nche/forum/higher_ed.ph p NAEHCY Resources National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth: http://www.naehcy.org NAEHCY Higher Education Helpline 1 (855) 446-2673 (toll-free) | [email protected] FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Youth Without Stable Housing Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access College Financial Aid Brief http://naehcy.org/tk/cl.html Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Toolkits Additional Resources Application and Verification Guide (AVG) Chapter 5 - Special Cases (p. 99-106) http://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1213A VG.pdf Recommendations for Transitioning UHY to Higher Education (Colorado) http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprevention/downloa d/Homeless%20Education%202010/NEW%20CDE%20 WEB%20SITE%202010/6%20Higher%20Education/Best% 20Practices%20in%20Transitioning%20Homeless%20Yo uth%20to%20Higher%20Education%20-%206-1809%20JG.docx State Resources Arizona College Access Network (AZCAN) http://www.azcan.gov/FosterYouthHomeless. aspx Kentucky http://louisville.edu/financialaid/cardinalcovenant. New Hampshire (www.nhheaf.org) Oklahoma College Assistance Program (OKCAN) http://okcollegeaccess.org/ New York Technical Assistance Center http://www.nysteachs.org/ Contact Us Marcia E. Weston Membership Support and Program Services Project Manager-College and Career Readiness (E) [email protected] Cyekeia Lee National Higher Education Liaison for Homeless Youth National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (P) (734)-258-8175 (E) [email protected]