Resources for Teachers - SEL

Supporting Social and Emotional Learning

We know that teachers are responsible for teaching content, but they also provide stability and reassurance when things are going awry at school and home, they provide families with resources, and they take action to ensure that their students have basic needs met. There are several resources that educators may find helpful to their work in these areas, including the Social-Emotional Toolkit for children birth to age 5,  and the School Climate Improvement Resource Package that provides research-based strategies for schools. 

Important information for homeless liaisons!!!!

Below is an updated list of free training webinars provided by NCHE for the remainder of January and the month of February.

The new ESSA amendments to McKinney-Vento require that each local district's homeless education liaison receive training annually regarding the updated requirements. 

If you participate in these webinars, please forward the certificate from NCHE to the state coordinator (sandra.johnson@iowa.gov) along with your contact information (name, position, district, etc).  NCHE will typically send the certificates to you by email the following day.  Or send an email to me (sandra.johnson@iowa.gov) telling me that you participated and list which titles you were able to view.  I know that many of you of participated several times this year already. Let me know which webinars you view or have viewed since October 2016. 

 

If you cannot attend a live webinar this school year, please visit the recorded training sessions at this link: https://nche.ed.gov/web/online_tr.php

Send an email telling me that you participated in the recorded training and list the titles you were able to view. 

Upcoming Webinars:

1.       McKinney-Vento School Selection Rights: Changes under ESSA

Monday, January 30, 2017

Register: https://uncg.webex.com/uncg/onstage/g.php?MTID=eb9fd2d971d8d63b90f21e90335451f1e

Presenters: NCHE Staff 

Description: In this interactive webinar, presenters will review important changes related to school selection for homeless children and youth under the McKinney-Vento Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Presenters will review:

•  ESSA basics, including key implementation date Changes to the definition of "school of origin"
• Changes related to determining the best interest of the child or youth in terms of school selection
• Changes related to the provision of transportation to currently homeless students and formerly homeless students who have become permanently housed
• Changes to the McKinney-Vento dispute resolution process, including disputes about school enrollment and selection

2.       Determining Eligibility for McKinney-Vento services: Changes under ESSA

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Register: https://uncg.webex.com/uncg/onstage/g.php?MTID=e981f5164ad04244b954b0cc47e34ffe5

Presenters: NCHE Staff 

Description: In this interactive webinar, presenters will review changes to the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless children and youth, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Presenters will cover:

• ESSA basics, including key implementation dates
• The amended McKinney-Vento definition of homeless, including the removal of "awaiting foster care placement" and new guidance on substandard housing
• New ESSA provisions on McKinney-Vento dispute resolution, including disputes related to eligibility

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with presenters and fellow attendees through polls and discussion periods.

3.       McKinney-Vento School Selection Rights: Changes under ESSA

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Register: https://uncg.webex.com/uncg/onstage/g.php?MTID=eec8bbfc02b5b6d84d1734865975e3b09

Presenters: NCHE Staff 

Description: In this interactive webinar, presenters will review important changes related to school selection for homeless children and youth under the McKinney-Vento Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Presenters will review:

• ESSA basics, including key implementation dates
• Changes to the definition of "school of origin"
• Changes related to determining the best interest of the child or youth in terms of school selection
• Changes related to the provision of transportation to currently homeless students and formerly homeless students who have become permanently housed
• Changes to the McKinney-Vento dispute resolution process, including disputes about school enrollment and selection

4.       Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Tuesday, February 28 2017  1:00 PM – 2:15 PM CT

Register: https://uncg.webex.com/uncg/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed467bcc4c711ed1c899b42c3d8d85810

Presenters: NCHE Staff 

Description: In this interactive webinar, presenters will review important information about supports available to homeless youth as they seek to attend college. Attendees can hope to gain a better understanding of:

•  Fee waiver options for college entrance exam and college application fees
• The FAFSA (Free application for Federal Student Aid) process for both accompanied and unaccompanied homeless youth, including the U.S. Department of Education’s new early FAFSA submission time frame and “prior-prior year tax information” practice
• College Cost Reduction and Access Act provisions pertaining to unaccompanied homeless youth and the FAFSA
• Options for seeking financial assistance beyond federal financial aid
• Options for undocumented youth wishing to attend college

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with presenters and fellow attendees through interactive polls and discussion periods. 

Feel free to contact me if you have specific questions or need technical assistance. 

Thank you,

Sandy Johnson

Title I Consultant/ Homeless Education Coordinator

Iowa Department of Education

Des Moines, IA 50319

515-281-3965

MAP Demonstrations

Because of the enormous response to Iowa State’s recently approved CIS system, MAP (My Academic Plan), we have scheduled a number of remote demonstrations to walk schools through the system and answer questions staff might have.  Below are the times the demo will be offered and the details for participating via Zoom.

MAP Demonstration Schedule: Monday, Feb. 6              3:30-4:30pm Tuesday, Feb. 7              3:30-4:30pm Wednesday, Feb. 8        3:30-4:30pm Thursday, Feb. 9            3:30-4:30pm Login Instructions: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:     Please click this URL to start or join. https://iastate.zoom.us/j/8544296025     Or, go to https://iastate.zoom.us/join and enter meeting ID: 854 429 6025  Join from dial-in phone line:     Dial: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 408 638 0968     Meeting ID: 854 429 6025     Participant ID: Shown after joining the meeting Join from a H.323/SIP room system:     Dial: 162.255.37.11 (US West) or 162.255.36.11 (US East)     Meeting ID: 854 429 6025

Iowa State is excited to offer Iowa school districts a quality CIS system while saving them thousands of dollars at the same time. Although MAP has been approved for only a few weeks, staff from nearly 250 schools across the state have already created their own MAP accounts.  If you have districts in your territory who’d like to create their own MAP accounts, they can easily do so by going to http://www.planyouradventure.net/getting_started.php.

If you have questions, please contact

PHIL CAFFREY Director of Admissions Operations & Policy

pbcaffr@iastate.edu | 515 294-5836

Building a College-Going Culture

Because of the overwhelming support for the Building a College-Going Culture Class, Iowa College Aid has agreed to sponsor another one right away! I will be teaching this one and it begins January 30 - please share the word!!!

To register, please click here

This class is designed for practicing middle and high school counselors - GREAT STUFF!!!!

Free Webinar - Safe and Accepting Academic Environments

 E-Module Learning: Creating Safe and Accepting Academic Environments for Muslim and Sikh Youth

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

On February 1, 2017, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) and the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will present E-Module Learning: Creating Safe and Accepting Academic Environments for Muslim and Sikh Youth. This listening-only webinar will be used to create e-learning modules for www.stopbullying.gov. It aims to enhance cultural competency and understanding of Muslim and Sikh youth, and to raise awareness of issues that impact the community, such as anti-Muslim hate and xenophobia. The webinar is designed to equip the public with strategies for addressing bias and identity-based bullying; understanding the impact of bullying on students' mental, emotional, and social well-being; and mitigating the negative effects of bullying.

REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR

Human Trafficking Prevention Month Resources

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Trafficking can involve school-age youth, particularly those made vulnerable by challenging family situations, and can take a variety of forms. “Human Trafficking in America’s Schools” is a guide for school staff with information on risk factors, recruitment, and how to identify trafficking. There's also a fact sheet and webinar: “Integrating Human Trafficking with Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) for K-12 Schools.”

District Career Guidance Plan Workshop - one more date added

Are you confused about the requirements for HF2392? Who needs to be included in the district team? What is their purpose? How do we collect and report?

In this one-day workshop we will review the code requirements along with best practice for career guidance so that district teams can begin the work of planning. This will follow a workshop model - some discussion and instruction followed by implementation and planning by the team. Please bring your laptop and any pertinent data or information needed for planning.

Please bring a collaborative group of your district team to this workshop model day. As a reminder, the district team must include:
Administrator
School Counselor
CTE Teacher
Teacher
Work-Based Learning Coordinator (if you have one)

February 16, 2017 - Heartland AEA, Johnston Rooms 107 A/B

8:30-3:30

Please register here.

February 22, 2017 - Heartland AEA, Johnston Rooms 152 A/B/C

8:30-3:30

Please register here.

For questions, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org

Homelessness and Head Start

With the recent changes in McKinney-Vento (MV) because of amendments by the Every Student Succeeds Act, and new implementation dates, it seems a good time to remind folks about how best to support children under the age of 5 whose families are experiencing homelessness.

MV says programs should:

2. Preschool-aged homeless children, including clarification that local liaisons must ensure that these children and their families have access to and receive services, if eligible, under LEA administered preschool programs, including Head Start, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) (Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities), and other preschool programs administered by the LEA;

--Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program Non-Regulatory Guidance (Title VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, (p. 1)

Head Start programs are available in nearly every county in Iowa, and children experiencing homeless are categorically eligible (i.e. they are eligible for Head Start services simply based on their status as homeless as defined by MV). Attached is a list of the Head Start programs associated with every school district. We are encouraging you to reach out to these programs to establish a communication link prior to actually needed to connect when referring families. 

We recommend considering Head Start because the services provided go beyond just preschool services and include a full complement of family support services, including assisting families in finding secure and permanent housing. Head Start and Early Head Start programs are supposed to hold open slots for children in situations of homelessness. When children are younger than 4 year-old they could still be served by Head Start as three year olds. If younger than 3, they can be served by Early Head Start which is for pregnant women and children birth to age three. Early Head Start services may be either center-based or home-based. Though not as available across the state as Head Start, you will see from the attached document whether Early Head Start services are available in your district.

There is no guarantee that every child referred can be served but this should be a primary source for referral. Please contact me below if you have any questions or need help in contact your local Head Start program. 

Thomas Rendon, Coordinator

Head Start State Collaboration Office

Iowa Department of Education

400 E. 14th Street

Des Moines, IA  50319

515-326-5389

Homelessness, post-secondary education, and the FAFSA

Several District Homeless Education Liaisons are getting questions from students asking for verification that the student qualifies as homeless during their senior year. Below is brief information for liaisons as you work with your homeless students during FAFSA season.  Attached is a form that may be helpful. 

Homelessness, post-secondary education, and the FAFSA

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) include a definition of homelessness that matches McKinney-Vento. Questions are listed on the FAFSA to identify students meeting the criteria and to help those students receive help in escaping poverty and homelessness. If a student is able to answer "yes" to any of these questions, that student may be able to complete the FAFSA and obtain financial aid without providing parental information.

After completing the FAFSA, a homeless student should be able to document his or her situation with one of the following:

• Verification from the secondary school district's McKinney-Vento Liaison (a.k.a. Homeless Education Liaison)
• Documentation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) homeless assistance program director or designee
• Certification from a Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program director or designee
• Documentation from a financial aid officer who has met with the student, has completed a homeless youth determination form, and in some cases may have received letters of confirmation from parents of the student's friends, church leaders, or relatives

Link to the 2016-17 FSA Handbook https://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1617AVGCh5.pdf

Link to NAEHCY toolkit for assisting unaccompanied youth http://www.naehcy.org/toolkit-financial-aid-administrators

You may need to work with the post-secondary financial aid office if they require their own type of verification form from the local district homeless liaison. 

ASVAB App

ASVAB: There’s an App for that! Posted: 10 Jan 2017 08:09 PM PST My, how times have changed!  There seems to be an app for almost everything!  And, if you happen to know a student who is thinking that the military is just right for them, they can now practice for the ASVAB test with the help of an app!   But, unlike the days of old,  a high school diploma is required to enter most military branches today. The ASVAB test consists of eight sub-tests, so taking practice tests helps the student have a better idea of what to expect, which can increase their final test score. The list of apps is too long to even begin to list, even just for the free ones.  There are apps for Android/Google Play or for iPad/iPhones, depending on your need. Of course, there are also free practice tests online as well, such as ASVAB Practice Test Online or  ASVAB Practice Tests just to name a few!  And there are many options to purchase various study guides as well. Bottom line, it is important for students to know that each branch of the military has a required AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test) score.  The AFQT score will determine whether they qualify to enlist in their particular branch of service.  The ASVAB test also produces several line scores, which are different for each branch of service. Line scores determine which military jobs the students are qualified for, so the higher their score, the more job opportunities they have. Students who are determined that the military is right for them should  meet with the military recruiters when they come visit the school.  The High School Guidance Counselor can arrange for a specific recruiter to come, and then the recruiter can explain the requirements and expectations for that specific branch of service. As students begin to explore post-secondary options, let’s help them understand all the facets involved…. simply by helping them know the steps that they need to take!

District Plan Workshop

Are you confused about the requirements for HF2392? Who needs to be included in the district team? What is their purpose? How do we collect and report?

In this one-day workshop we will review the code requirements along with best practice for career guidance so that district teams can begin the work of planning. This will follow a workshop model - some discussion and instruction followed by implementation and planning by the team. Please bring your laptop and any pertinent data or information needed for planning.

Please bring a collaborative group of your district team to this workshop model day. As a reminder, the district team must include:
Administrator
School Counselor
CTE Teacher
Teacher
Work-Based Learning Coordinator (if you have one)

February 16, 2017 - Heartland AEA, Johnston Rooms 107 A/B

8:30-3:30

Please register here.

For questions, please contact Sue Schirmer at sschirmer@heartlandaea.org

Go Alliance Courses - Registration Open!!!

Counselors -
The Go Alliance Academy courses are a partnership of Iowa College Aid, Southern Region Education Board and AEA PD Online. These are incredible courses for school counselors and are offered at a deeply discounted rate! The courses must be taken in order, and the first course is again being offered beginning January 23. This is a 3 credit, entirely on-line course with amazing resources for your school counseling program. To register for Building A College Going Culture, use the course number 22036299991704  on the AEA PD Online registration site or the Heartland PD site (or use the link).

The second course will be offered soon!!

Kuder - State Designated System

Dear Colleagues,

I am attaching the official announcement from the Iowa Department of Education on the selection of Kuder^® Navigator as Iowa’s state-designated career information and decision-making system (CIS), in accordance with 281—Iowa Administrative code 49.6(2). As you know, all school districts must use a CIS which supports the requirements for the career and academic planning process established in statute and meets the standards adopted by the Iowa State Board of Education. School districts may choose to use the state-designated system, Kuder^® Navigator, or any of the other systems listed on the department’s website that meet state standards.

The department thoroughly reviewed all vendor proposals for the state-designated system and found Navigator to be a comprehensive, high-quality system that not only meets all State Board of Education standards, but also encourages active involvement of faculty, staff, and parents and eases the transitions into high school and postsecondary education. I encourage those interested in reviewing Navigator to contact Kuder^® at 1-877-999-6227.

I’m hopeful the information in the attached announcement provides clarity on the requirements of 281—Iowa Administrative code 49.6. In addition to announcing the state-designated system, it also includes information on the review process of vendor-provided CISs that meet state standards, school district responsibilities, as well as implementation and training support contacts.

Questions about career and academic planning can be directed to Amy Vybiral at amy.vybiral@iowa.gov or 515-281-3169.

Thank you for all you do to ensure students in Iowa graduate college and career ready.

Sincerely,

Ryan

Ryan Wise, Ed.L.D.

Director

Iowa Department of Education

Grimes State Office Building

400 E. 14th Street

Des Moines, IA  50319-0146

Office:  515-281-3436

HF 2392 Update-District Plan

The Iowa Dept of Education has updated their requirements for district plans.  See below:

• The district plan must be completed and updated at least once per year. The district plan templates are completed and will soon be posted to the Iowa Department of Ed web site. They are also available here.  These documents are templates, created to assist school districts in completing district plans, consistent with code requirements. School districts are required to create a district plan annually, however, districts​ are not required to use department provided templates. School districts ​that create their own district plan need to address each requirement​ of Chapter 49.

Further outlines and guidance is available here.

Counselor Connection - Feb 15

Make plans to attend ~ To register, click on the link below

Counselor Connection: Advocacy and Mental Health

Our morning work will focus on the current legislative session and actions that affect school counselors. Our afternoon session will be presented by Gwen Babberl from CFI. Gwen will be sharing information on Trauma Informed Care for School Counselors. Activity Number: CN009492111701 Dates: February 15, 2017 Times: 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

High School Feedback Reports

The email below was sent out to superintendents on December 22 from the DE. To help you prepare for the public release of the Postsecondary Readiness Reports, they are offering a webinar on Thursday, January 5, at 3:30 p.m. This webinar will be recorded and will be made available upon request.

Subject: Important Update- High School Feedback Reports Dear Superintendents and Principals, You may recall that in September 2015 we released to the field a set of high school feedback reports showing student postsecondary enrollment patterns and preparedness after high school graduation. Through the secure data reporting platform EdInsight, you have had access to reports that show enrollment in colleges and universities, remedial course-taking rates, and postsecondary retention and completion rates for students who graduated from your public high schools. The data are compiled through a joint partnership of the Iowa Department of Education, Board of Regents and Iowa Workforce Development. This information is valuable to all stakeholders to help identify focus areas for ensuring students leave Iowa high schools ready to succeed in both college and careers. As such, the reports will be made available through a public website that will be launched in January. The public site, which will be rebranded as the Iowa Postsecondary Readiness Reports, will include both statewide and school-level information. To help you prepare for the public release of the Postsecondary Readiness Reports, we are offering a webinar on Thursday, January 5, at 3:30 p.m. This webinar will be recorded and will be made available upon request. Join the webinar via Zoom: https://IDOE.zoom.us/j/717971921  A separate webinar will be held specifically for school district communications professionals, who will receive an email about the opportunity. Questions about these webinars and the Iowa Postsecondary Readiness Reports may be directed to Jay Pennington, chief of our Bureau of Information and Analysis: jay.pennington@iowa.gov Sincerely, Ryan-- Ryan Wise, Ed.L.D. Director Iowa Department of Education Grimes Office Building, 2nd Floor