Resources for Local District Homeless Education Liaisons
2016-17
1. An Introduction to the Issues of Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness:
a. Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues:http://center.serve.org/nche/d
2. Legislation
a. Iowa Administrative Code (281-CH 33 – Homeless Education in Iowa):https://www.educateiowa.gov/si
c. Non-Regulatory Guidance (July 2016): http://www2.ed.gov/policy/else
3. Homeless Definition: Be sure your district is using the correct definition of homelessness in the school handbooks and policies. It is fine to have the more informal definitions on your brochures and posters, but official handbooks and policies should use the official definition. Be sure the definitions are up to date in your handbooks, etc.
b. Iowa Administrative Code (281-CH 33 – Homeless Education in Iowa): https://www.educateiowa.gov/si
c. Identifying children/youth who are homeless (NCHE Issue Brief) http://center.serve.org/nche/d
4. Local District Liaisons: The duties of the local liaison can be found in the handout provided by NCHE. The district’s local liaison should be an appropriate staff person. The appointed liaison may not be the district superintendent. Often the liaison is a school counselor, at-risk coordinator, a building or associate principal, the school nurse, a student services director, etc.
c. Responsibilities of the Local Liaison: https://www.educateiowa.gov/si
f. Federal Register: outlines liaison duties: https://www.federalregister.go
5. Liaison Trainings: There are helpful recorded trainings and live monthly webinars available on the NCHE website.
a. Free Webinars from National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) for Local Homeless Liaisons. Check the website for dates: http://center.serve.org/nche/w
c. Regional Trainings will be scheduled during the school year.
6. Posters: The liaison should be sure that awareness posters are distributed in the local community. Correct local liaison contact information should on the posters and brochures.
b. Printable posters and fliers are on the NCHE website.
c. Educational Rights (Trifold Brochure). https://www.educateiowa.gov/do
7. Determining Eligibility: Each case of homelessness should be made on a case-by-case basis by the local liaison:
d. Identifying Children & Youth in Homeless Situations: http://center.serve.org/nche/d
8. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: An unaccompanied homeless youth is a youth who meets the definition of unaccompanied youth (out of the physical custody of a parent/guardian) AND homeless included in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
a. Supporting the Education of An Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: http://center.serve.org/nche/d
c. Toolkit for Counselors/Liaisons that work with Unaccompanied Homeless Youth:http://www.naehcy.org/toolkit-
9. Enrollment: Homeless students have the right to enroll immediately, even if required documents are unavailable.
10. School Selection: Homeless students have the right to attend either the School of Origin or the Local attendance area school.
a. Guiding Decisions on School Selection (School of Origin or Local attendance center) http://center.serve.org/nche/d
11. Transportation: Homeless students may need transportation to and from school of origin even if the school of origin is outside the district boundaries. The two districts work together to share cost and responsibility for transportation.
a. NCHE Issue Brief regarding transportation for homeless students: http://center.serve.org/nche/d
b. Iowa Administrative Code addresses transportation for homeless students (Section 281-33.10):https://www.educateiowa.gov/si
12. Free School Meals/Nutrition: Students that are determined homeless according to the McKinney-Vento homeless definition are categorically eligible for free school meals. There is no need for the family to complete income information forms.
a. Issue Brief regarding school meals for homeless students: http://center.serve.org/nche/d
13. Dispute Resolution: Every public school district is required to have a dispute resolution process that specifically addresses homeless students. Homeless student must be immediately enrolled. If a dispute arises, the students must be allowed to attend either the school of origin or the school where they are living
b. Review Guide for your district’s dispute resolution process: https://www.educateiowa.gov/si
c. Sample written decision notice: https://www.educateiowa.gov/do
14. Title I Set Aside Funds: Districts identifying homeless students are required to set aside Title I funds to provide comparable services. These funds may then be used to serve any homeless student in the district regardless of attendance at a Title I or non-Title I school. Homeless students are categorically eligible to receive Title I service regardless of academic eligibility (All levels Pk-12).
a. Set Aside Handout: https://www.educateiowa.gov/si
b. Serving Homeless Students under Title I, Part A: http://center.serve.org/nche/d
c. Recorded Trainings: Serving Homeless Students Under Title I, Part A (Tutorial 22 minutes): http://servepres1.serve.org/ti
d. New changes will be coming in 2017-18 when ESSA takes effect for all Title I programs.
15. Homeless Education Compliance Checklist: The checklist that reflects federal and state homeless education program requirements for all school districts is currently being updated.
a. New ESSA amendments for McKinney-Vento go into effect October 1, 2016.
Additional Resources:
· National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth (NAEHCY): http://www.naehcy.org/
· Iowa Department of Education – (A-Z Index) Homeless Education: https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk
· Facebook page: National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
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