Homeless Youth Awareness Homeless Youth Awareness WorkshopWorkshop

Welcome: Welcome: Dr. Glenn Pelecky, Dr. Glenn Pelecky,

Mississippi Bend AEA, Chief AdministratorMississippi Bend AEA, Chief Administrator

Cindy Swanson, Cindy Swanson, MSW, MA MSW, MA

Mississippi Bend AEA, Head of Professional DevelopmentMississippi Bend AEA, Head of Professional Development

Ellen Reilly, Ellen Reilly, MAMA

Davenport Community Schools, Homeless Education LiaisonDavenport Community Schools, Homeless Education Liaison

Music played todayMusic played today:: HomelessHomeless, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo: : Long Walk to Freedom,Long Walk to Freedom, Heads Heads Up Africa Series, Gallo Music International, 2006Up Africa Series, Gallo Music International, 2006

Homeless Youth Homeless Youth SimulationSimulation

A day in the life of a A day in the life of a homeless teenager….homeless teenager….

Can YOU do it?Can YOU do it?

Goals for Today

Gain insight into the day-to-day realities faced by homeless teenagers

Become advocates for homeless youth in our schools and community

Introduction

You will be a homeless teen for a “day” The simulation will last for 45

minutes….each 5 minutes is an hour. You will be asked to complete a list of

tasks by the end of the 9 hours. You will be prompted every 5 minutes that

the hour is over, and another one has begun to move you through the “day”.

Housekeeping

Review your simulation materials (bio and map) to see what tasks you must complete during the simulation and what documents you have. Both are listed on your bio.

Maintain your role as much as possible Help us out with clean-up after the

simulation. It is much appreciated!!!

Transportation

1) If you don’t have transportation, you must ride the “bus”. You cannot move from your location until the bus goes by. You can get on and off at any stop but must wait for the bus to travel to another location.

2) If you have transportation (friend, family member) you can travel from location to location at any time.

This info is indicated ON YOUR BIO.

ShelterShelter

1) Keep in mind that finding shelter may not be something at an actual shelter. You may be able to find another place to stay for example, a friends house.

Good Luck!

Try to be realistic about your role Take your circumstances seriously Imagine the fears and frustrations faced by

teenagers in this situation

LET’S GET STARTEDLET’S GET STARTED

Figure out your plan for the day based on what Figure out your plan for the day based on what tasks you need to complete. tasks you need to complete.

Begin your day……….when the bell rings.Begin your day……….when the bell rings. Every hour (5 minutes) the bell will ring, Every hour (5 minutes) the bell will ring,

signifying an hour is over and another has signifying an hour is over and another has begun. The bell will ring a total of 9 times, once begun. The bell will ring a total of 9 times, once to begin the day, and then 8 more times. Watch to begin the day, and then 8 more times. Watch the screens to keep track of the day.the screens to keep track of the day.

You You must have a bus pass must have a bus pass to ride the bus. to ride the bus. Check at various locations to get a pass.Check at various locations to get a pass.

BELL ONE: 7:00amBELL ONE: 7:00am

Begin your dayBegin your dayMake sure you are working Make sure you are working

towards accomplishing your towards accomplishing your tasks.tasks.

BELL TWO: 8:00amBELL TWO: 8:00am

BELL THREE: 9:00amBELL THREE: 9:00am

BELL FOUR: 10:00amBELL FOUR: 10:00am

BELL FIVE: 11:00amBELL FIVE: 11:00am

BELL SIX: NOONBELL SIX: NOON

BELL SEVEN: 1pmBELL SEVEN: 1pm

BELL EIGHT: 2:00pmBELL EIGHT: 2:00pm

BELL NINE: 3:00pmBELL NINE: 3:00pm

BELL TEN: 4:00pmBELL TEN: 4:00pm

THE DAY IS OVERTHE DAY IS OVER

PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR PLEASE RETURN TO YOUR SEATSSEATS

HOORAY YOU MADE IT…HOORAY YOU MADE IT…

““de-briefing” de-briefing”

Take a few moments to discuss the Take a few moments to discuss the following with your tablemates:following with your tablemates:

How did you feel while participating in this How did you feel while participating in this simulation?simulation?

What thoughts did you have while trying to What thoughts did you have while trying to accomplish your tasks by the end of the day?accomplish your tasks by the end of the day?

Did your participation change your ideas or Did your participation change your ideas or perceptions about homeless youth?perceptions about homeless youth?

Recognition of organizations that Recognition of organizations that work with homeless youth locallywork with homeless youth locally

Ben Cleaveland, Bethany for Children and FamiliesBen Cleaveland, Bethany for Children and Families

Molli Nickerson, Project NowMolli Nickerson, Project Now

Penny Kellenberger, The CenterPenny Kellenberger, The Center

Adela Martinez, The Place2BAdela Martinez, The Place2B

Chantell Lamont, ELEVATEChantell Lamont, ELEVATE

Marty McLaughlin, Foster Care & Parent AssociationMarty McLaughlin, Foster Care & Parent Association

Kelly Thompson, Humility of Mary ShelterKelly Thompson, Humility of Mary Shelter

Jill Green, United Way 211 ReferralsJill Green, United Way 211 Referrals

National Data onNational Data onHomeless YouthHomeless Youth2009 statistics2009 statistics

Did you know…Did you know…

1.37 million (or 39%) of the total homeless 1.37 million (or 39%) of the total homeless population are children under the age of population are children under the age of 18. (2009 statistic)18. (2009 statistic)

57% of homeless kids spend at least one 57% of homeless kids spend at least one day every month without food. day every month without food.

Did you know…..Did you know…..

50% of adolescents aging out of 50% of adolescents aging out of foster care and and juvenile justice systems systems will be homeless within six months will be homeless within six months because they are unprepared to live because they are unprepared to live independently, have limited education and independently, have limited education and no social support. no social support.

Over 25% of former Over 25% of former foster children become homeless within two to four years become homeless within two to four years of leaving the system. of leaving the system.

According to a study of youth in shelters, According to a study of youth in shelters, nearly 50% reported intense conflict or nearly 50% reported intense conflict or physical harm by a family member as a physical harm by a family member as a major contributing factor to their major contributing factor to their homelessness. homelessness.

In the United States, as many as 20,000 In the United States, as many as 20,000 children and youth are forced into children and youth are forced into prostitution by prostitution by human trafficking networks networks every year. every year.

How do you measure How do you measure homelessness?homelessness?

Measuring homelessness is difficult because of the Measuring homelessness is difficult because of the fluidity of the homeless population. fluidity of the homeless population.

Part of the difficulty stems from varying methodologies Part of the difficulty stems from varying methodologies used to measure homelessness. used to measure homelessness.

Some researchers attempt to count all the people who Some researchers attempt to count all the people who are literally homeless on a given day or during a given are literally homeless on a given day or during a given week, called a "point-in-time" count. week, called a "point-in-time" count.

Critics say this method is likely to overestimate the Critics say this method is likely to overestimate the number of chronically homeless and underestimate the number of chronically homeless and underestimate the number of people who experience temporary number of people who experience temporary homelessness.homelessness.

Quad Cities Homeless Youth Quad Cities Homeless Youth Needs Assessment SummaryNeeds Assessment Summary

(A copy of the summary is in your folder on the right side)(A copy of the summary is in your folder on the right side)

Thank you to the following organizations for their Thank you to the following organizations for their successful partnership in completing this work:successful partnership in completing this work:

Catholic CharitiesCatholic Charities

YWCA of Rock IslandYWCA of Rock IslandSt. Ambrose University School of Social WorkSt. Ambrose University School of Social Work

Community Foundation of the Greater River BendCommunity Foundation of the Greater River Bend Presented by : Adam McCormick, St. Ambrose Presented by : Adam McCormick, St. Ambrose

Details of Data CollectionDetails of Data Collection Summer of 2009, Catholic Charities, the YWCA of Rock Island, St. Summer of 2009, Catholic Charities, the YWCA of Rock Island, St.

Ambrose University School of Social Work, and the Community Ambrose University School of Social Work, and the Community Foundation of the Greater River Bend partnered to conduct a Foundation of the Greater River Bend partnered to conduct a community wide assessment of the needs of homeless youth in the community wide assessment of the needs of homeless youth in the Quad City area. Quad City area.

16 focus groups were conducted with over 160 at-risk youth to 16 focus groups were conducted with over 160 at-risk youth to address the experiences, challenges, and needs of homeless youth.address the experiences, challenges, and needs of homeless youth.

In addition to the focus group data investigators collected survey In addition to the focus group data investigators collected survey data assessing numerous issues including types of living data assessing numerous issues including types of living experiences and prevalence of homelessness. experiences and prevalence of homelessness.

Participants were recruited from 10 social service agencies across Participants were recruited from 10 social service agencies across the Quad City area.the Quad City area.

Why they are homeless…Why they are homeless…

Based on the discussions that took place, most Based on the discussions that took place, most of the youth felt that what happens at home is of the youth felt that what happens at home is fundamental to whether or not a youth leaves fundamental to whether or not a youth leaves home. home. Incidences of physical and verbal abuse were widely Incidences of physical and verbal abuse were widely

reported among the youth. Many youth noted that reported among the youth. Many youth noted that these were major contributing factors to the reasons these were major contributing factors to the reasons young people leave home. young people leave home.

Lack of communication with parents, including Lack of communication with parents, including parents being physically and/or emotionally parents being physically and/or emotionally unavailable to them influenced their leaving home.unavailable to them influenced their leaving home.

ChallengesChallenges

Just under 10% of youth identified Just under 10% of youth identified finding shelter finding shelter as their most significant challenge. The same as their most significant challenge. The same percentage identified percentage identified finding food finding food as a as a significant challenge. significant challenge.

As one youth pointed out, even when they try to As one youth pointed out, even when they try to get help, they can’t. “I’ve been homeless get help, they can’t. “I’ve been homeless multiple times. I’ve called many different places multiple times. I’ve called many different places and half the time they don’t ever call you back and half the time they don’t ever call you back when they say they’re going to or they don’t when they say they’re going to or they don’t even help you” even help you”

Challenges cont…Challenges cont…

In addition,In addition, depression and anxiety depression and anxiety (16%), (16%), and and transportation transportation (16%) were consistently (16%) were consistently identified as the greatest challenge facing identified as the greatest challenge facing youth. youth.

What Homeless Youth WantWhat Homeless Youth Want

When it came to determining what services should be When it came to determining what services should be offered in the shelter, counselors and therapists were offered in the shelter, counselors and therapists were mentioned quite frequently. mentioned quite frequently.

Several youth also noted that it should made clear right Several youth also noted that it should made clear right away that where they are (agency) is offering help and away that where they are (agency) is offering help and has someone there that youth can go to for help. has someone there that youth can go to for help.

Youth mentioned things such as listings for jobs and Youth mentioned things such as listings for jobs and affordable housing options as well as listings of other affordable housing options as well as listings of other available community resources. available community resources.

Other suggestions included having “circle sessions” Other suggestions included having “circle sessions” where the youth would be able to get to know one where the youth would be able to get to know one another.another.

Questions?Questions?

The McKinney-Vento The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Homeless Education

ActAct

Effective Education for Homeless Effective Education for Homeless Children and Youth Children and Youth

Homeless Youth Awareness Workshop Homeless Youth Awareness Workshop March 2011March 2011

Presented by Ellen ReillyPresented by Ellen ReillyHomeless Education Liaison for Davenport Homeless Education Liaison for Davenport

Community SchoolsCommunity Schools

PowerPoint adapted from the State of Vermont and modified for this PowerPoint adapted from the State of Vermont and modified for this presentationpresentation

What is the definition of a What is the definition of a Homeless Student?Homeless Student?

A homeless student is an A homeless student is an individual who lacks a individual who lacks a fixed, fixed, regularregular, and , and adequateadequate nighttime residence.nighttime residence.

What is the definition of an What is the definition of an Unaccompanied Youth?Unaccompanied Youth?

A homeless Unaccompanied Youth is: A homeless Unaccompanied Youth is: an adolescent who is not in the an adolescent who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian physical custody of a parent or guardian andandwho meets the criteria for who meets the criteria for homelessness in the definitionhomelessness in the definition

Students are still considered homeless even if their Students are still considered homeless even if their parents say that they can return home. (Often times parents say that they can return home. (Often times older students are trying to escape from an abusive older students are trying to escape from an abusive situation)situation)

How/why does a student become How/why does a student become homeless?homeless?

A student may be homeless as a result of eviction,A student may be homeless as a result of eviction,

economic hardship, divorce, illness, natural disaster,economic hardship, divorce, illness, natural disaster,

domestic violence or other reasons and may be living in:domestic violence or other reasons and may be living in:

Shared housing (doubled up)Shared housing (doubled up) Motels, hotels, camp groundsMotels, hotels, camp grounds Shelters or emergency housingShelters or emergency housing Cars, parks, or other public places that are not Cars, parks, or other public places that are not

designed for or ordinarily used as regular designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodationssleeping accommodations

Educational ImpactsEducational Impacts

Every time a child has to change schools, his or her education Every time a child has to change schools, his or her education is disrupted. According to some estimates, 3-6 months of is disrupted. According to some estimates, 3-6 months of education are lost with every move. education are lost with every move.

Homeless children are at high risk for falling behind in school Homeless children are at high risk for falling behind in school due to their mobility. Without an opportunity to receive an due to their mobility. Without an opportunity to receive an education, homeless children are much less likely to acquire education, homeless children are much less likely to acquire the skills they need to escape poverty as adults.the skills they need to escape poverty as adults.

What The McKinney Vento What The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act Does for Homeless Assistance Act Does for

Homeless Youth…Homeless Youth… Maintains educational continuity for Maintains educational continuity for

students and families during a time of students and families during a time of transitiontransition

Requires schools to identify and enroll Requires schools to identify and enroll students who meet the definition of students who meet the definition of homelesshomeless

Supported under the “No Child Left Supported under the “No Child Left Behind Act”Behind Act”

How do we identify and enroll How do we identify and enroll homeless students?homeless students?

This is not a perfect process. It is a difficult issue for some to talk This is not a perfect process. It is a difficult issue for some to talk about and ask for help. For others, they are in dire need and seek out about and ask for help. For others, they are in dire need and seek out assistance or ask for a referral. There are a variety of ways that the assistance or ask for a referral. There are a variety of ways that the schools may find out a student is experiencing homelessness.schools may find out a student is experiencing homelessness. Regardless, once a student is identified as homeless:Regardless, once a student is identified as homeless:• Ensure the guidance counselor who is the assigned homeless Ensure the guidance counselor who is the assigned homeless

point of contact in the building is notified immediately of the point of contact in the building is notified immediately of the situation. situation.

• Document in district student information system.Document in district student information system.• Maintain the student and family's privacy and dignity. Maintain the student and family's privacy and dignity. • Families/Students cannot be forced to accept services. It is Families/Students cannot be forced to accept services. It is

important to respect their decisions as a family even if you do not important to respect their decisions as a family even if you do not agree with them. agree with them.

How do we identify and enroll homeless How do we identify and enroll homeless students?students?

• You can try to collect housing information You can try to collect housing information atatregistration, but remember to use registration, but remember to use discretion and respect the family and their discretion and respect the family and their privacy. privacy.

• Ensure “Ensure “Homeless Information PostersHomeless Information Posters” ” for parents and youth are prominently for parents and youth are prominently displayed. They should be located in your displayed. They should be located in your main office where parents can see them. main office where parents can see them. They are also available in Spanish.They are also available in Spanish.

Posters with information for homeless youth and families

How are schools required to How are schools required to serve homeless students?serve homeless students?

Every school district in Iowa must designate a Every school district in Iowa must designate a homeless education liaison.homeless education liaison.

Identify and Identify and immediately enrollimmediately enroll homeless students homeless students based on the best interest of the child and the based on the best interest of the child and the preference of the parent or unaccompanied youthpreference of the parent or unaccompanied youth

Schools may not deny a homeless student Schools may not deny a homeless student enrollmentenrollment, even if they are missing medical or , even if they are missing medical or educational records (proof of homelessness may be educational records (proof of homelessness may be requested by homeless liaison for the district)requested by homeless liaison for the district)

Provide transportation options for students to Provide transportation options for students to continue attending school of origin (if appropriate)continue attending school of origin (if appropriate)

What are Homeless Education What are Homeless Education Liaisons required to do?Liaisons required to do?

Facilitate identification and enrollment by Facilitate identification and enrollment by knowing the law, train school staff and display knowing the law, train school staff and display parent/youth posters in each schoolparent/youth posters in each school

Make sure that homeless students receive Make sure that homeless students receive transportation (if appropriate), free meals, Title transportation (if appropriate), free meals, Title I and early education services…and all other I and early education services…and all other services available to non-homeless studentsservices available to non-homeless students

Link homeless students to appropriate services Link homeless students to appropriate services in both the school and the communityin both the school and the community

Meals for Homeless YouthMeals for Homeless Youth

Once a student is identified as homeless, school food Once a student is identified as homeless, school food service may not:service may not: Single that student out in any waySingle that student out in any way Serve them meals that are not equivalent to what other Serve them meals that are not equivalent to what other

students are receivingstudents are receiving Make them stand in a separate line for lunch Make them stand in a separate line for lunch Indicate in any way to others, including other food service Indicate in any way to others, including other food service

employees, that the student is homeless or receiving free employees, that the student is homeless or receiving free meals. meals.

Send home or mark the student in any way if their meal Send home or mark the student in any way if their meal account is showing a negative balance.account is showing a negative balance.

Data Collection in your DistrictData Collection in your District

• Districts should identify students in their student Districts should identify students in their student information system and ensure appropriate services are information system and ensure appropriate services are offered to students and their families.offered to students and their families.

• Data is required to be reported to state entities on an Data is required to be reported to state entities on an annual basis annual basis

• Districts should review homeless data on a regular Districts should review homeless data on a regular basis to be in tune with current trendsbasis to be in tune with current trends

Resources to support your work Resources to support your work with homeless studentswith homeless students

http://www.terrifictransitions.org/nche/

If you have questions, please don’t If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ellen Reilly at 563-336-hesitate to contact Ellen Reilly at 563-336-3832 or by email at 3832 or by email at reillye@davenportschools.org

Lunch till 12:30pmLunch till 12:30pm

A 20/20 (YouTube version) clip on homeless students will be shown A 20/20 (YouTube version) clip on homeless students will be shown starting at 12:15pm. starting at 12:15pm.

Maggie Tinsman will start promptly at 12:30pm. Maggie Tinsman will start promptly at 12:30pm.

Music played today: Music played today: HomelessHomeless, Ladysmith Black Mambazo: , Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Long Walk to Long Walk to Freedom,Freedom, Heads Up Africa Series, Gallo Music International, 2006 Heads Up Africa Series, Gallo Music International, 2006

The cardboard cutouts represent “lost children” who age out of the foster The cardboard cutouts represent “lost children” who age out of the foster care system and fall through the cracks. They were specially delivered care system and fall through the cracks. They were specially delivered through the efforts of Marty McLaughlin from the Foster Care and Adoptive through the efforts of Marty McLaughlin from the Foster Care and Adoptive Parents Association and CASA in Waterloo, IA. Thanks Marty!!!!Parents Association and CASA in Waterloo, IA. Thanks Marty!!!!