New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students

Students who transfer schools often do worse in school than those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

E-Alert: Spring - May, 2009

The NYS Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS) welcomes you to our e-alert, an electronic newsletter offering periodic updates about the rights of students experiencing homelessness in New York State. NYS-TEACHS is funded by the New York State Education Department and is housed at Advocates for Children in New York City.

In this issue:

• McKinney-Vento News
• Important updates about the rights of students in temporary housing in New York State.

• Research, Reports and Publications
• Links to useful reports and research that may help you in developing grant proposals, designing program models and raising awareness about the issues facing students in temporary housing in your community.

• Funding Opportunities for Schools, Community Based Organizations and Students
• Stimulus funds, grants, scholarships, summer employment programs for youth, and resources for low-income clients.

• Training and Professional Development Opportunities
• Upcoming workshops, conferences and trainings.

• Tools for Schools and Service Providers
• Outreach materials, toolkits, and resources to help you in your work.

MCKINNEY-VENTO NEWS

New York State Education Department Recently Released New Guidance about the Summer School Rights of Students in Temporary Housing - and NYS-TEACHS Requests Contact Information for Summer Liaisons

Summer school offers a crucial opportunity for students to make up for lost time, re-take failed courses, and gain extra credits. Any student who experiences homelessness and who is required to attend summer school to advance to the next grade, or to graduate on time with his or her peers, must be provided the opportunity to do so. NYSED has recently released new guidance about the summer school rights of students in temporary housing. The guidance points out that many districts must appoint a temporary liaison to serve students in temporary housing during the summer months. If your district has appointed, or is planning to appoint, a temporary summer liaison, please contact NYS-TEACHS at info@nysteachs.org right away to provide the liaison's name and contact information. To download a copy of the 2009 Summer School memo, please click here

Definition of Unaccompanied Youth is Updated and Clarified

Last year, the New York State Regents voted to modify the definition of "unaccompanied youth" in section 100.2(x)(1)(vi) of the Commissioner's Regulations. The change was needed to bring the Regulations in line with the definition in the federal law under the McKinney-Vento Act. Effective June 12, 2008, the new definition is as follows: unaccompanied youth means a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian. The term unaccompanied youth shall not include a child or youth who is residing with someone other than a parent or legal guardian for the sole reason of taking advantage of the schools of the district.

If you have questions about who qualifies as an unaccompanied youth, please call our hotline at 800-388-2014. For more information, and a copy of the regulations, please visit: here

Head Start Reauthorization Prioritizes Students in Temporary Housing; Programs in New York Respond Quickly.

Under the newly Reauthorized Head Start Act, all pre-school aged students in temporary housing are categorically eligible for Head Start participation, and Head Start programs are required to prioritize such children for enrollment. Across New York City, Head Start programs have responded quickly to implement the new Reauthorization requirements. Last fall, New York City's Head Start delegate agencies met with staff members from the Students in Temporary Housing program, shelters and community based organizations to learn about McKinney-Vento and its definition of temporary housing. Participants worked together on strategies for collaboration, outreach and expanding participation. In addition, this spring, the Annual McKinney-Vento Workshops included an informational session about the new Head Start provisions and the role local programs can play in reaching out to students in temporary housing. If you would like information about how to set up a similar initiative in your region, please contact NYS-TEACHS at 800-388-2014 and ask us about the Head Start Initiative.

"Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009" is scheduled to be Signed by Obama Today.

The "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 was passed by both the House and the Senate yesterday, and is scheduled to be signed by President Obama this afternoon. It includes a measure to reauthorize the housing and shelter programs of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act for the first time in 17 years. It also includes a measure to protect the rights of renters in foreclosure - an important step that will help prevent them from becoming homeless. Under the Act, HUD Continuums of Care will be required to assist schools in identifying families who are homeless, to inform families and youth of their educational rights, and to designate a contact person for ensuring school enrollment and connection to services. They will also be required to make efforts to take children and youth's educational needs into account when placing them in shelter. While there is still room for improvement in the definition of "homelessness," many of the Act's provisions give cause for hope. For more information about the Act and the areas for future growth, please visit the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth website: here Additional information about the law is available at the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty website here

RESEARCH, REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS

NAEHCY Releases a New Report about the Impact of the Economic Crisis on Students and Schools

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) has recently released a new report examining the impact of the current economic crisis on students and schools: The Economic Crisis Hits Home presents the results of a survey of local homeless education liaisons conducted by the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) and First Focus between October 24 and December 10, 2008. Based on the findings, the report presents policy recommendations for the Obama Administration and for Congress, as well as practice recommendations for schools and community agencies. You can download a copy of the report by clicking here

New Publications to Help LGBTQ Youth

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are disproportionately represented in the homeless community, particularly among unaccompanied homeless youth. In addition, LGBTQ youth are at increased risk for assault and harm while homeless. The National Alliance to End Homelessness has posted three new publications focusing on the goal of ending homelessness and improving services for all LGBTQ youth. The publications are:

1. National Recommended Best Practices for Serving LGBT Homeless Youth

2. Incidence and Vulnerability of LGBTQ Homeless Youth -- Research Brief, and

3. A National Approach to Meeting the Needs of LGBTQ Homeless Youth - a 2-page fact sheet.

To access these publications, please visit the National Alliance to End Homelessness website.

YouTube Video Captures the Difficult Experience of Temporary Housing

Students in temporary housing often struggle with the harsh reality of not knowing where they will sleep night after night. In many cases, students cobble together a patchwork of homes and couches, doubling up or "couch-surfing" to keep a roof overhead. A recent youtube video exposes the difficulty, both practical and emotional, of a young man forced to move from place to place. Please visit "Sofas" here for a moving account of one man's experience of homelessness beginning when he was thirteen years old.

National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty Releases Two New Reports about Homelessness

The NLCHP recently produced two reports focusing on homelessness and homeless prevention programs. Insult to Injury: Violations of the Violence Against Women Act discusses the importance of ensuring safe and affordable housing for survivors of domestic violence and for preventing and ending homelessness. At the urging of advocacy groups to address issues facing victims in public and Section 8 housing, the U.S. Congress included important housing provisions in the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); the law provides crucial protections for victims of domestic violence. The NLCHP gathered information on violations of VAWA housing provisions and analyzed over 3300 HUD-approved PHA plans to determine if the PHAs were complying with the law. Click here for a copy of the report. An Ounce of Prevention describes programs for preventing homelessness in 25 states. You can download a copy here.

The National Center on Family Homelessness Estimates that 1 in 50 Children Experience Homelessness Each Year

In a recent report, America's Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness, the National Center on Family Homelessness estimated that 1 in 50 children experience homelessness each year. The report examines trends in our nation's child homelessness rates, both nationally and state-by-state. The state rankings are based on a composite score that encompasses many factors, including health, housing, and education, and although there were certain limitations to the data, the report proposes policy and program solutions to address child homelessness that may be useful to you in your work. To download a copy of the report, please visit: here

CBS Will Air Stories about Homelessness This Week

CBS is airing a week-long series focusing on the impact of the housing crisis on children and youth called "Children of the Recession." The series takes a closer look at the role of schools in the lives of children, and finds that schools become the first line of defense for many students when their parents are no longer able to provide as much at home. For more information about the series, please visit here

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS

Deadline Extended for Summer Youth Employment Program - SYEP Allocates Slots for Homeless Youth in New York City

The Summer Youth Employment Program offers a great opportunity for New York City youth between the ages of 14-24 to gain valuable work experience, build a resume, develop references and contacts, and earn an income! This year, the Department for Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has allocated slots specifically for homeless youth, as well as for other vulnerable youth such as court-involved youth and youth in foster care. The deadline for applications to the SYEP has recently been extended to this Friday, May 22, 2009. Applications are available online at here. For more information about SYEP, please call Youth Connect at 800-246-4646. For information about the statewide program, please see the online brochure here

Scholarships Available for Homeless Students

Education is one of the most powerful tools available to break the cycle of poverty. The LeTendre Education scholarship makes funds available to students in temporary housing or who have experienced homelessness during their academic career, and who have demonstrated average or higher than average achievement. Students who have not reached their 21st birthday by September 1, 2009 are eligible to apply for the LeTendre scholarship. Applicants may be high school juniors or seniors, students enrolled in a GED or other alternative education program, or recent graduates/GED recipients. Information about the LeTendre Education Fund, along with application forms may be downloaded from the NAEHCY web site at here. Additional information and ways to donate are also online. Please share this information with students, school counselors, and others who may know of deserving applicants. The deadline for submission is September 18, 2009.

Stimulus Funding: McKinney-Vento and Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program Funds Available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has allocated $70 million for the Education for Homeless Children and Youths (EHCY) Program, as well as making $1.5 billion available for Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program Grants nationwide. Several national organizations have posted useful resources with information about the stimulus funds that are most important to your work, and First Focus has created a chart of child-related provisions in the stimulus funds. To download the First Focus chart, please visit: here.

New York State will distribute its portion of the EHCY funds to LEAs by August 8th, 2009, though the allocation method has not been finalized. We will provide more information about EHCY grants as soon as this information is available. To find out the amount of Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program funding that your local jurisdiction received, you can visit:here.

In addition, below are several websites where you can download fact sheets, guides, ideas for using ARRA funds to advance education improvement, as well as copies of the law pertaining to the stimulus funds:

National Alliance to End Homelessness:

UPDATED: Additional ARRA Homelessness Resources

New Funding for Homeless Youth Services and Housing

U.S. Department of Education: here

National Center for Homeless Education: here

Eye Exams and Eyeglasses for Low-Income Students - At No Charge

Do you have students or clients who cannot afford a pair of eyeglasses? Lens Crafters offers a program called "One Sight" which provides eye exams and glasses without any charge to customers who have a letter from a community based organization requesting assistance. The letter must include the organization's tax ID number and a request for assistance through the One Sight program. The program can fill any prescription, and operates at select Lens Crafters stores. For more information, please visit the One Sight web-page by clicking this link:One Sight.

Cell-Phones and Airtime Available to Income-Eligible Customers.

Cell-phones and air time at no charge are available to income-eligible customers through the Safelink Wireless Program. For information about these benefits and how to apply, please visit: here.

Office Depot Foundation Offers Grants that Focus on Children

The Office Depot Foundation provides small grants (between $50 - $10,000) for programs that support children and communities. The Foundation's funding priorities include activities that "serve, teach and inspire children, youth and families" and "support civic organizations and activities that serve the needs of our community." For more information about applying for a grant from the Office Depot Foundation, please visit the Office Depot Foundation website at: here.

For more information about grants and funding resources, please also visit here.

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TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

NAEHCY Conference - Fall 2009

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) is now accepting registrations for the 2009 National Conference. The conference will offer over 70 concurrent sessions on early childhood educational opportunities, services for unaccompanied youth, identification of students, and program planning and development.

The 2009 NAEHCY conference will welcome approximately 700 educators, administrators, service providers, researchers and others who are passionate about creating educational opportunities for children and youth who lack stable housing. NAEHCY's conference equips educators and advocates nationwide with the knowledge, skills, information, and inspiration they need to remove barriers and help ensure that every child and youth experiencing homelessness is successful - academically, personally, and socially.

The conference will take place in Denver, Colorado on November 14-17, 2009. A tentative agenda, description of pre-conference programs, and registration information is available online at the NAEHCY website.

NYS-TEACHS Plans Autumn McKinney-Vento Workshop Series

NYS-TEACHS is beginning to plan our Fall 2009 Annual Workshop series. We welcome your input and involvement. If you have suggestions for Workshop speakers or topics, we would like to hear from you; please email us at info@nysteachs.org to share your ideas. As we draw closer to the fall, we will send more information with dates, locations and registration instructions. Please stay tuned to future e-Alerts and electronic updates for more information.

Please also visit our website at www.nysteachs.org for more information about upcoming trainings and workshops this fall. Over the coming year, NYS-TEACHS will offer a series of Online Trainings, Regional Trainings and Annual McKinney-Vento Workshops focusing on the rights of students in temporary housing.

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TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS

NYS-TEACHS Now has McKinney-Vento Outreach Tools Available Online: Posters Available in Nine Languages, Materials from our 2009 Annual Workshops, and MV Powerpoint for Turn-Key Trainings are Also Available.

NYS-TEACHS offers a variety of outreach tools for service providers. Recently we began distributing posters with information about the rights of students in temporary housing available in nine languages: Spanish, English, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Haitian Creole, Bengali, Urdu, and Korean. In addition, we have McKinney-Vento brochures available in Spanish and English. To order these materials, please visit our website at www.nysteachs.org.

In addition, our website offers a McKinney-Vento PowerPoint for download that districts can use in turn-key trainings. The PowerPoint presentation has useful notes to guide the trainer through educational slides about the rights and protections of students in temporary housing. To access a copy of the McKinney-Vento PowerPoint, please click here. Last but not least, we recently posted training materials from our 2009 McKinney-Vento Workshop series. To download copies of the Workshop training materials, please visit our 2009 Workshop page on the NYS-TEACHS website.

New Tools for Schools: Title I Toolkit Early Childhood Education Resources

Title I funding helps schools improve services to vulnerable students, including students in temporary housing, as well as English language learners, students in poverty and others. Title I requires schools to take active steps to encourage parental involvement in their children's education and improve academic success. The Southwest Educational Development Library (SEDL) has developed a new Toolkit for Title I Parental Involvement that helps schools understand the parental involvement requirements. The Toolkit offers 33 different tools that schools and SEAs can use to improve outreach to parents. They are designed to help educators increase parental involvement and support their children's academic achievement. Included are policy information, checklists, sample letters, surveys and other resources that schools can use to improve communication with parents and encourage their meaningful involvement in student's success. To download a copy of the Toolkit, please visit the SEDL website: here.

Early Childhood Education Resources

Children's early years are an important time to build a foundation for academic success, and the McKinney-Vento Act protects the rights of pre-school aged children as well as school-aged children. But because families in temporary housing are often forced to move between districts mid-school-year, it can be challenging to connect pre-schoolers with programs and services. NYS-TEACHS offers information that helps to explain a wide variety of programs for pre-school aged children, including universal pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start as well as child care programs throughout the state. Meeting the Educational Needs of Pre-School Age Children: A Description of Major Early Care and Education Programs in New York State provides a detailed overview of a wealth of pre-school programs for New York's children. In addition, the Child Care Resource and Referral program (CCR&R) provides a list of available pre-school programs and child care resources in New York State, broken down community by community. To download a copy of this information, please visit the link to Meeting the Educational Needs of Pre-School Age Children: A Description of Major Early Care and Education Programs in New York State on the NYS-TEACHS website . You can also access the CCR&R and download a copy of the New York State program directory: here.

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Discussion Listserv!

Join our "Discussion Listserv" to network with others working on behalf of students in temporary housing!

Did you get this alert from someone else? Sign up to get your own E-Alert directly!

NYS-TEACHS e-alerts keep you informed about policy changes, training opportunities, tools for schools, and other news of concern related to the education of students who are homeless.

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