Charlotte County Public Schools Education for Homeless Children

1
Charlotte County Public SchoolsEducation for
HomelessChildren Youth

• Update of Guidelines, Procedures
• Services for Homeless Students
• Lucy H. Garner, Ph. D., LCSW
• Homeless Youth Family Liaison

2
What are some causes of Homelessness?
3
Causes of Homelessness

• Lack of Affordable Housing/Evictions
• Low Income/Unemployment/Lack in Skills
• Health Mental Health Problems
• Domestic Abuse Violence
• Lack of Safe Stable Living Environment
• Physical/Sexual Abuse by a Parent or Guardian
• Parent or Guardian Alcohol/Drug Addiction
• Natural Disasters

4
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance
Improvements Act of 2001

• Title X Part C
• No Child Left Behind Act

5
The McKinney-Vento Act

• The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that
  entitles children who are homeless to a free,
  appropriate public education, and requires
  schools to remove barriers to their enrollment,
  attendance, and success in school.
• School access
• School stability
• Support for academic success

6
Who is eligible?

• Students that are in transition who lack a
  fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence
• Sharing the housing of others due to loss of
  housing, economic hardship, or similar reason
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping
  grounds due to lack of adequate alternative
  accommodations
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Abandoned in hospitals
• Living in domestic violence shelters, teen parent
  shelters or runaway shelters

7
Who is eligible? (Cont.)

• Living on the street, abandoned buildings or
  vehicles
• Living in public spaces woods, parks or tents
• Students not in the physical custody of a parent
  or guardian, living in unstable or inadequate
  housing accommodations (Unaccompanied Youth)
• Students awaiting foster care placement
• Migratory students quality as homeless because
  they are living in the circumstances described
  above.
• Once a student is identified they remain eligible
  for services for the entire school year.

8
McKinney-Vento Act Enrollment

• Students must be enrolled immediately
• 42 U.S.C. Section 11432(g)(3)(C)
• Student first, paperwork last!
• No 30-day rule for Providing Documentation
• Federal Law takes precedence over
• Florida State Law
• The Homeless Liaison can assist in removing
  barriers by helping to obtain
• Complete Appendix 17 - Affidavit of
  Non-Permanent/Regular
• Residence Status from the Guidelines for Student
  Registration

• Proof of Date of Birth
• Proof of Immunization
• Physical Examination
• Proof of Residency

9
McKinney-Vento Act School Placement
42 U.S.C. Section 11432(g)(3)
The student must be allowed to attend their
school of origin to the extent feasible, unless
that is against the wishes of the parent,
guardian or unaccompanied youth.
School of Origin The school the student
attended when permanently housed, or the school
in which the student was last enrolled.

• If the student moves into permanent housing
  during the school year, the student can finish
  that academic year in the school of origin.
• If a student enrolls in a new school near the
  temporary housing and then moves to a third
  attendance area, they may attend either the
  school near the initial temporary housing or the
  school the student attended when permanently
  housed.

10
McKinney-Vento Act Placement Disputes
Student must be enrolled immediately in their
school of choice

• If the school district sends a homeless child or
  youth to a school other than the school of origin
  or the school requested by the parent, guardian
  or unaccompanied youth, the school district must
• Immediately enroll the student in the school in
  which enrollment is sought, while the dispute is
  being resolved.
• Provide a written explanation of its decision.
• Notify of their right to appeal the placement
  decision.
• Refer to the Homeless Liaison to ensure disputes
  are resolved objectively and expeditiously.

11
McKinney-Vento Act Placement Disputes
(Cont.)

• Inter-district disputes shall be resolved by the
  FDOE.
• The Homeless Liaison must be notified.
• The liaison will address any policies or
  procedures that are identified as barriers to
  enrollment.

12
Educational Rights of Unaccompanied Youth
Unaccompanied youth (a youth not in the physical
custody of a parent or guardian, living in
unstable or inadequate housing accommodations)
have the same rights as other students
experiencing homelessness.

• The Homeless Liaison will
• Help unaccompanied youth select and enroll in
  school, after considering the youths wishes.
• Inform them of their rights to transportation to
  the school of origin and assist with arranging
  transportation.
• Inform them of their right to appeal school
  selection decisions counter to their wishes.
• Inform school personnel or requirements of the
  law and needs of youth.
• Work with police and social services regarding
  mandatory reporting to ensure that care is
  exercised to keep a youth in school and serve
  his/her best interest.

• Complete Appendix 18 Caregivers
  Authorization Affidavit
• from the Guidelines for Student Registration

13
Total Students in Transition by Year Since
Inception
Rev. 8/08
14
Florida Dept. of EducationBureau of Student
Assistance
15
Forms to use

• Registration Forms
• Appendix 1 What Should I Bring to Register a
  Student in School
• Appendix 2 Registration Checklist
• Appendix 4 Student Registration Form
• Appendix 8 Physical Exam Requirement and
  Procedures
• Appendix 17 Affidavit of Non-Permanent
  Residence
• Appendix 18 Caregivers Authorization Affidavit
• Homeless Denial of Transportation Forms
• Appendix 30 Notice of Placement/Transportation
  Denial
• Appendix 31 Instructions for Written
  Notification of School Placement/Transportation
  Denial
• Appendix 32 Dispute Resolution Appeal Form

16
For additional information

• Please contact the District Homeless
• Youth Family Liaison for
• Charlotte County Public Schools
• Lucy H. Garner, Ph. D., LCSW
• 3131 Lakeview Boulevard
• Port Charlotte, FL 33948
• Telephone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email lucy_garner_at_ccps.k12.fl.us
• Rev. 12/07

17
According to legend

• If you wish to make an impact for one year, you
  plant corn.
• If you wish to make an impact for a generation,
  you plant a tree.
• But if you wish to make an impact for an
  eternity, you educate a child.
• Author unknown