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Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Christina Dukes, [email protected] Peri Stone Palmquist , [email protected] Susan Whitener, [email protected]
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Christina Dukes, [email protected] Stone Palmquist , [email protected] Whitener, [email protected]
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Outline
• General guidelines and resources• Supporting unaccompanied students in school• Support beyond the school walls• Q&A and discussion
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Meet Your Panelists• Christina Dukes, National Center for Homeless Education
Program SpecialistE‐mail: [email protected]
• Peri Stone Palmquist, Washtenaw ISDWashtenaw ISD McKinney‐Vento CoordinatorE‐mail: [email protected]
• Susan Whitener, Michigan Department of Education Office of Field ServicesRegion 1 McKinney‐Vento MonitorE‐mail: [email protected]
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Who are Unaccompanied Youth?
• An unaccompanied youth who is eligible for services under the McKinney‐Vento Act:1) is living in a situation that meets the McKinney‐Vento
definition of “homeless” (qualifies the student as homeless)
2) is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian (qualifies the student as unaccompanied)a) The Act refers to physical custody, not legal custody; in practical
terms, this usually means that the student is living apart from his/her parent(s) or guardian(s)
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Who are Unaccompanied Youth?
• Age limits: Michigan’s lower and upper age limits for eligibility for K‐12 public education
• There is no citizenship requirement (Plyler v. Doe)• The cause of the child’s or youth’s leaving home does not affect his/her eligibility
• Remember that there may be “more to the story”
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
In Their Shoes
If your home life was turbulent, conflictual, and/or problematic, would you disclose this information in detail to a person you are just
meeting?Unaccompanied homeless students and/or
parents may or may not wish to discuss or feel comfortable sharing issues occurring in their
home life.
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
The Focus
• Schools first and foremost are educational agencies• The school’s primary responsibility and goal is to enroll and educate, in accordance with the McKinney‐Vento Act (federal); federal law supersedes state and local law
• Schools do not need to understand and/or agree with all aspects of a student’s home life to educate him/her
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Build a Relationship
• Be sensitive, honest, and trustworthy– Inform students up‐front about the circumstances under which you may be required to report them to child welfare or law enforcement
– Keep in mind the challenges that these students are facing as you work with them and provide support as you are able
• Get to know the student– Supportive relationships are invaluable– Understanding the student will motivate you
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
A Liability?
• Liability is based on negligence• Negligence
– Conduct that falls below the standards of behavior established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risk of harm
– Conduct that departs from that expected of a reasonably prudent person acting under similar circumstances
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
What About Discipline?
• In order to remove barriers to the enrollment and retention of homeless students, disciplinary action should not be taken against a student for issues related to his/her homelessness
• For disciplinary issues not related to homelessness, standard SEA or LEA policies would apply
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Reporting in Michigan
• Suspected abuse or neglect– Under Michigan law, school administrators, school counselors, and teachers are mandatory reporters and must report suspected child abuse or neglect for children under the age of 18 if there is reasonable cause to suspect such (M.C.L.A. 722.623)
– Reports should be made to Children’s Protective Services at the Michigan Department of Human Services
– For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dhs or www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Reporting in Michigan
• Suspected runaways– Running away is not a statutory offense in Michigan, meaning it is not an act that is legally punishable when committed by a minor
– Schools are not mandated by law to report a runaway
• Consider the safety and best interest of the student• Discuss issues and concerns with the student; ask about their desires, preferences, and plans
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Minor Medical Consent in Michigan
• Some level of flexibility and discretion involved for emergency care• Emancipated minors may consent to their own healthcare
(18 or older, emancipated by court order, married minors, and active military duty are considered emancipated)
• Pregnant minors may consent to prenatal and pregnancy‐related treatment
• Minor parents may consent to healthcare for their child• Minors may consent to treatment for veneral disease and HIV• Minors may consent to care related to substance abuse• 14 or older may consent to certain outpatient and inpatient mental health
services• Visit
www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Michigan_Minor_Consent_Laws_292779_7.pdf for more information
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Special Provisions Related to Unaccompanied Youth
• McKinney‐Vento– Local liaison support– Removing barriers to enrollment and retention (MI caregiver affidavit)– Subgrant application and usage of funds
• IDEA– Surrogate and temporary surrogate parents
• FERPA– Transfer of records
• CCRAA– Independent student status (MI verification letter)
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Best Practices:Support in School
• Identification• Enrollment and permissions (calling in sick, notifications,
truancy, etc.)• Engaging students in school• Credit accrual *NCHE brief*• Academic support: Title IA, tutoring, etc.• Participating in extra‐curricular activities *NCHE brief*• Mentors• Other “practical supports”
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Best Practices:Access to Higher Education
• The college application process– College entrance exams– Application fees– Recommendation letters– Accessing scholarships (federal financial aid and other)
• Verification as an independent student for the FAFSA– Official verification for students qualified during high school– Advocacy for students who became homeless after graduation
• Visit http://center.serve.org/ibt/higher_ed.php (cross references at the top of the page)
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Access to Higher Education:New Resources
• Upcoming webinars; subscribe to NCHE’s listserv by e‐mailing [email protected] for webinar announcements
• NCHE Higher Education Poster (demo)NCHE Higher Education Brief (handout)
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Best Practices: Education and Training for the Future
• Higher Education• Job Corps• Education and Training Vouchers
– Up to $5,000 a year for post‐secondary education or training for youth in foster care on or after their 14thbirthday and/or for youth adopted from foster care on or after their 16th birthday
– Visit https://mietv.lssm.org/factsheet.aspx for more information
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Best Practices:Support Outside of School
• Housing: Transitional housing options, RHYA shelters
• Clothing and other personal items• Food: TANF, other options?• Healthcare: Healthcare for the Homeless, Medicaid, caregiver POA, other options?
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI; benefits for children with disabilities)
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Q&A, Discussion, Networking
• Questions?• Good practices you want to share?
Serving Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Additional Information
• Michigan Department of EducationPam Kies‐Lowe517‐241‐1162Kies‐[email protected]
• NCHE’s webpages (cross‐references at the top of the page):www.serve.org/nche/ibt/sc_youth.phpwww.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php
• NCHE helpline: call 800‐308‐2145 or e‐mail [email protected]
