Supporting Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Presented by: Pennsylvania’s Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program

McKinney-Vento Federal Act: A law to protect homeless children through educational stability:

“. . .through it all, school is the only thing that has kept me going. I know that every day that I walk in those doors. . .I can stop thinking about my problems.” - Carrie Arnold, LeTendre Scholar, formerly homeless student, 2002

Today’s Agenda:



The McKinney-Vento Act and unaccompanied children and youth:



Defining

unaccompanied children and youth 

Enrolling

unaccompanied children and youth 

Identifying

unaccompanied children and youth

Homeless. . .

 What do you think of?

Unaccompanied Youth or “Runaway”. . .

 What do you think of?

Did you know?

 The U.S. Conference of Mayors has compiled some general statistics and facts:    Families with children are increasing faster than any other homeless population. They account for over

40 percent

of the nation's homeless. About

20 percent

of unaccompanied and runaway youth do not have a regular health care source, they are hungry more than twice as frequently as other youths and normally do not have three meals a day. A large number of teens experiencing homelessness have learning disabilities, almost double the rate found in the general population, and have attended

two or three

different schools in one year.

Did you know?

 Once out of the home, unaccompanied youth are frequently victimized. As many as half have been assaulted or robbed; one in ten runaways reports being raped (National Center for Homeless Education).

 According to the federally-funded National Runaway Switchboard, 5,000 unaccompanied youth die each year from assault, illness, or suicide.

Defining “Unaccompanied Youth”:

    Unaccompanied: children and youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Many children under the age of 18 who temporarily reside with someone who is not a parent or legal guardian fall under this definition. Children over the age of 18 who have been “kicked out” of their home, or left due to safety reasons will also meet this definition.

There is no age range or citizenship requirement.

   

Why are there Unaccompanied and Runaway Youth?

Some children and youth are in unstable living situations due to parental incarceration, illness, hospitalization or death.

Some youth become homeless with their families, but end up on their own due to lack of space in temporary accommodations or shelter policies that prohibit adolescent boys.

Many unaccompanied children and youth have fled abuse in the home: Studies have found that 20-40% of unaccompanied youth were sexually abused in their homes, while 40-60% were physically abused.

Over two-thirds of callers to Runaway Hotline report that at least one of their parents abuses drugs or alcohol.



From the National Center for Homeless Education

  

Why are there Unaccompanied and Runaway Youth? Continued. . .

At the end of 2005, over 11,000 children fled a foster care placement and were never found; 25-40% of youth who emancipate from foster care will end up homeless.

Many youth have been thrown out of their homes due to their sexual orientation: 20-40% of unaccompanied youth identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (compared to 3-5% of adults). Over half of youth living in shelters report that their parents either told them to leave, or knew they were leaving and did not care.



From the National Center for Homeless Education

Question for Discussion:



Who are unaccompanied youth in your community?

Defining “Runaway”:

 According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ definition:

“Runaway is used to denote a youth who has left home voluntarily.”

Defining “Throwaway Youth”:

    Youth who are told to leave by their families, sometimes following a conflict.

Estimates of throwaways put them at approximately 33% of shelter and street surveyed youth (Ringwalt, Greene & Robertson, 1998) Throwaway youth experience more violence and conflict in their families than do runaways (Finkelhor, Hotaling & Sedlak, 1990) In rural areas, there are typically no shelters or services for throwaway youth.

Rural Vs. Urban:

Rural:       Living in cars, parks, campgrounds, barns, tents, hunting cabins; run down homes often without running water or heat, windows are gone, roof covered with tarps; doubled-up with other families Stable populations (do not move as frequently) More families Homeless is a “hidden” issue – people are under a roof Less likely to accept or seek our services Fewer resources available Urban:       More people living in shelters and transitional housing Transient populations (families will move in and out of locations) More single adults Homelessness is a more “visible” issue – people sometimes on the streets Open to & often seeking services More resources and funding available

Definition “System Kids”:

 System kids have been shuffled back and forth among foster homes, psychiatric hospitals, emergency shelters, residential placements and juvenile justice facilities (Shaffer & Catron, 1984).

 Studies of homeless youth consistently find large numbers (on average 50% or higher) with histories of multiple agency placements (Athey, 1995).

Pennsylvania’s Definition: “Awaiting Foster Care”

 The Pennsylvania Department of Education's (PDE) Bureau of Teaching and Learning recently REVISED the Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Basic Education Circular. Specifically, the section entitled children and youths "awaiting foster care placement" was revised. (v) Children and youths "awaiting foster care placement," which means children who are placed in shelters, emergency foster care, transitional foster care or respite care. These placement settings are intended to be short term, and do not typically last longer than 30 days. However, individual circumstances may, at times, require a longer length of stay. If the placement exceeds 30 days, contact should be made with the child welfare worker and the local McKinney-Vento Coordinator to determine if there is any valid reason to conclude that the child is still "awaiting foster care placement."

Pennsylvania’s Definition: “Awaiting Foster Care” Continued:

Communication and collaboration among education and child welfare professionals is critical to support school stability and continuity for children in out-of-home care. The law requires child welfare and local education agencies to work together to promote school stability and continuity including trying to ensure children remain in the school in which they were enrolled at the time of placement when it is in their best interest. Best practice would suggest that decisions be made collaboratively between school personnel, child welfare agencies and any other individual involved in the child's case including the child, resource parent, child advocate and attorney. It is imperative that caseworkers and school district administration and staff work together to help ensure the educational progress of all students. Local school officials should consult with their Pennsylvania Homeless Children's Initiative Regional, Site, and State Coordinators, whenever necessary to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether a child is "awaiting foster care placement." Section (v), page 1.

 You can access the revised BEC at: http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/basic_education_circular s/7497

Definition “Street Kids”:

 Youth who make their lives on the streets, and in extreme conditions.

 They may squat in abandoned buildings or break into structures (barns, camps, cabins).

 Some street kids sleep in parks, cars, under bridges.

 Some live with whomever will take them in for a few nights, often negotiating “survival sex” for a roof over their heads.

The Effects of Substandard Housing on Children:

 One out of every 3 people living in severely substandard housing is a child. These children are likely to experience:  Violence    Hunger Injuries Burns       Infectious Diseases Asthma Lead Poisoning Foster Care Placement Falling Behind in School  Dropping out of School

From Housing Arkansas “Benefits of a State Housing Trust Fund” - 2010

Examples:

  Old, dirty, mildewed carpet: Allergic, respiratory, nerve & blood-related illnesses.

Pest infestations: Asthma, allergies.

  Poorly functioning heaters/stoves: Increased levels of nitrogen dioxide (asthma), carbon monoxide (headache, fatigue, poisoning) Lead paint: Brain damage, high blood pressure.

 Noise: Irritability, sleeplessness, feelings of helplessness.

 Housing & Health “Substandard Housing,” 2010

Other effects of Sub-Standard Housing:

 Depression  Anxiety  Social Isolation The longer people live in poor housing, the more it affects their mental and physical health!

“Host” Families:



Schools cannot require that a family who “takes in” a student obtain guardianship.



Guardianship can only come from a judge.

Enrolling Unaccompanied Youth:

   Students can sign paperwork themselves and can self-enroll.

The adult they live with can complete a “Caregiver’s Authorization Form” or a similar document in order to sign for them.

 (sample at: http://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/toolkit/app_e.pdf

) The District Liaison can sign in lieu of these options.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA)

  Pennsylvania has developed a plan to assign a surrogate parent to each student who is either a ward of the state or whose parent or guardian is unknown or unavailable.

This includes “unaccompanied homeless youth!”

What if an unaccompanied youth has been suspended for misbehavior from his/her former school? Must the school enroll this child?

  The McKinney-Vento Act does not overrule state or local discipline policies. If a youth is suspended for behavior unrelated to his or her homelessness, regular enrollment procedures apply.

If discipline action was taken against a youth for reasons related to homelessness (for example, excessive absences caused by homelessness), the youth must not be penalized or denied enrollment and the policy should be revised.

Do schools have to contact the police when enrolling unaccompanied youth?

NO.

This would create a barrier to enrollment and retention in school!

 Schools must enroll youth immediately. School is the safest and best place for youth.

 Educators are only mandated to report suspected abuse and/or neglect (homelessness alone generally is not abuse/neglect), and this reporting can be to child welfare.

  Running away from home violates the law of a few states. Build relationships with law enforcement and juvenile justice.

If you have reason to suspect kidnapping, you can immediately see if the student has been reported missing at www.missingkids.com or 1-800-THE-LOST.

Barriers to Education:

 Lack of a parent or guardian  Lack of school records and other paperwork  Lack of stable housing  Emotional crisis / mental health issues  Employment - need to balance school and work  Lack of transportation  Lack of school supplies, clothing  Fatigue, poor health, hunger  Credit accrual policies, attendance policies  Concerns about being apprehended by authorities

Higher Education:



Unaccompanied homeless youth can apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to attend college without a parent/guardian signature.

Scholarship Opportunities:

 The LeTendre National Scholarship  Horatio Alger Association Scholarship

LeTendre National Scholarship:

 The LeTendre Education Fund for Homeless Children provides scholarship assistance to students who are homeless or have experienced homelessness. The scholarship may be used to help defray the costs of college tuition, application fees, books, prep courses, or other educational expenses.  The scholarship funds are available to students who are homeless or who have been homeless during their school attendance, and who have demonstrated average or higher than average achievement. Students who have not reached their 21 st birthday by September 1, 2011, and who have completed no more than one year of college are eligible to apply. Applicants may be high school seniors, students enrolled in a GED or other alternative education program, or recent graduates/GED recipients.

 Application forms may be downloaded from the NAEHCY web site at: http://www.naehcy.org/letendre_app.html

Horatio Alger Association Scholarships:



College Scholarship for Homeless and At-Risk Students

Give US Your Poor is proud to partner with the Horatio Alger Association in offering college scholarships to homeless, formerly homeless, and at-risk students. The Horatio Alger Association provides approximately 1,000 scholarships each year to eligible students who have overcome adversity in their lives.

For the second time in two years, in partnership with Give US Your Poor, the Association is reaching out directly to students who have experienced homelessness to invite them to apply for their scholarship programs.

The Horatio Alger Association provides scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $20,000. National scholarships are awarded at $20,000. Scholarships in each state are also awarded in various amounts.

Horatio Alger Continued:

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Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply, students must meet the following criteria: enrollment full-time as a high school senior, progressing normally toward graduation in the Spring/Summer 2012, with plans to enter college no later than the fall following graduation; a strong commitment to pursuing and completing a bachelor's degree at an accredited institution located in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution. Idaho, Louisiana, and Montana state scholarship recipients must pursue and complete a degree at specific colleges and universities. Please see the individual program description for those requirements); critical financial need ($50,000 or less adjusted gross income per family is preferred, if higher explanation must be provided); involvement in co-curricular and community activities; demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and United States Citizenship.

For More Information

For more information on this scholarship, please visit http://www.giveusyourpoor.org/partners/horatio-alger association.php

. If you still have questions about the scholarship application process after reviewing the information on this webpage, please call (866) 763-9228.

Applying for the Scholarship

To apply for this scholarship, please visit https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships/

Identifying Unaccompanied and Runaway Youth:

 Duties of the Homeless Liaison:  Identify unaccompanied children and youth through school and community.

    Help them select and enroll in school.

Inform them of rights to transportation to the school of origin and assist with arranging transportation.

Inform them of right to appeal school selection decisions counter to their wishes.

Inform school personnel of requirements of the law and needs of unaccompanied children and youth.

  

How can school districts identify Unaccompanied Youth?

Provide awareness activities for school staff (registrars, secretaries, counselors, social workers, nurses, teachers, bus drivers, administrators, truancy and attendance officers, security officers...) Coordinate with community service agencies, such as shelters, soup kitchens, drop-in centers, street outreach, child welfare, juvenile courts, law enforcement, legal aid, teen parent programs, public assistance, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender youth organizations, mental health agencies… Develop relationships with dropout prevention and recovery programs, truancy officials and other attendance officers. Many unaccompanied youth are out of school!

    

How can school districts identify Unaccompanied Youth? Continued. . .

Provide outreach materials and posters where unaccompanied youth “hang out”, including Laundromats, parks, campgrounds, skate parks, clubs/organizations… Enlist other youth to help spread the word.

Avoid using the word "homeless" in initial contacts with school personnel and youth.

Ensure discretion and confidentiality when working with youth; inform youth up-front of the circumstances under which you may be required to report the youth to child welfare or law enforcement.

Build trust.

“Through our conversations I discovered her to be a mature young woman with much responsibility on her shoulders. Through the outstanding work she completed in my class, I also discovered her capability to rise above the difficulties she faced in her personal life and excel at school.”

Recommendation letter for 2006 LeTendre Scholar Michelle, from her Economics teacher

Resources

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth http://www.naehcy.org

National Center on Homeless Education http://www.serve.org/nche National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty http://www.nlchp.org

Horizons for Homeless Children http://www.horizonsforhomeless

children.org

Pennsylvania’s Homeless Children’s Initiative – http://homeless.center-school.org/index.cfm

Pennsylvania Department of Education – http://www.pde.state.pa.us/ Center for Schools and Communities – http://www.center-school.org/

For Assistance Contact:

Wendy Kinnear Regional Coordinator, Region 5 Pennsylvania’s Education for Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV 453 Maple Street Grove City, PA 16127 724.458.6700 X 1289 Fax: 724.458.5083

[email protected]

Case Study:

 Chris, 16, recently showed up at the High School, where you are the Principal. Chris explained that he was staying with a friend who attends your school and wanted to go to your school, instead of the school he used to attend (which is in a different district). Chris explained that he wasn’t living with his mom anymore. He said she knew where he was and “didn’t care.