A Presentationfor

Parents

Kids Without Homes:A School District

Responds

Contact Information

• Name:

• Office Phone:

• Other Phone:

• Email:

Homeless Education Liaison

Increasing Awareness

Could you -- orsomeone you know --

experience …

• a natural disaster

• a job cut-back or layoff

• loss of sole wage-earner’sincome

• a negative change to currentlifestyle

Increasing Awareness

Could you -- orsomeone you know --

experience …

• loss of health coverage andother benefits

• being routinely behind onpaying bills

• high balances on credit cards

Increasing Awareness

Could you -- orsomeone you know --

experience …

• inadequate health-care benefitsfor a family member needinglong term care

• a family member’s addiction

• wages that don’t keep up withrising housing costs and taxes

Stereotypes of Homelessness

Homelessness in Texas

Poverty is most common in families that rely on a single mother’s income

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Overview

Effects of poverty and homelessnesson children in our state and ourcommunity

The McKinney-Vento HomelessAssistance Act

Ways to ease life for our homelessstudents

Major Topics

Homeless Children in Texas

Current Estimate

140,000+

Federal Law

defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our public schools

The McKinney-VentoHomeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act says that children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are homeless

• Common problems

• Effects of poverty and homelessness

• Emotional and social difficulties

Life is difficult for our homeless students

Increasing Awareness

The McKinney-Vento Act

• Immediate Enrollment

Key Provisions of the Law

• Choice of Schools

• Transportation

• Services

• Dispute Resolution

Texas Education Code

specifies that a student who is homeless is entitled to admission in any Texas school district

Chapter 25 of the Texas Education Code

The entire Code is available online athttp://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm

The McKinney-Vento Act

• Attend their school of choice

For homeless parents, the law means their children have the right to:

• Enroll immediately withoutdocumentation

• Receive Title I assistance

• Receive free school meals

The McKinney-Vento Act

School districts must set aside a portion of Title I funds to assist students in homeless situations

Title I Funds

The Homeless Education Liaison

• every school district isrequired to have a homelesseducation liaison

The McKinney-Vento Act mandates that . . .

• the liaison is required toperform specific tasks

Resources for Parents

• General Provisions

• Classes / Activities / Programs

Parent Rights Guide

published byThe Texas Education Agency

Resources for Parents

• Educational rights

• School and health records

• High expectations for your child

• Question school staff

Quick Tips

Assisting Our Homeless Students

• Contribute

• Volunteer

• Advocate

• Educate

can make a difference!You

Additional Handouts

• Application for BVS Certificatefor School Admission (English)

• Application for BVS CertificateSchool Admission (Spanish)

• Off to School in Texas

• Free School Meals

Contact Information

• Name:

• Office Phone:

• Other Phone:

• Email:

Homeless Education Liaison