McKinney-Vento�Homeless Assistance Act

Originally passed in 1987.

Reauthorized in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Amendments took effect October 1, 2016.

Works hand-in-hand with Title IA and other federal education programs.

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Title IX-A: Homeless �Children & Youths�

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• PURPOSE OF THE McKinney Vento Act/ PROGRAM
• address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.
• Provide a full and equal opportunity to succeed.

• Definition of Homeless
• Generally, not the idea of living on the street or under a bridge.
• Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence—

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Who is homeless??

Extends to include:

• students living in shelters
• motels/hotels
• rv parks and campgrounds
• abandoned buildings
• sharing the house of others
• and Migratory children living in above circumstances

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Impacts of Homelessness�on Children and Youth

• Higher incidences of acute and chronic illnesses, depression and anxiety.
• Homelessness in early childhood is associated with poor classroom engagement and poor social skills in early elementary school.
• The achievement gaps between homeless and low-income elementary students tend to persist, and may even worsen, over time.
• A youth who experiences homelessness is 87% more likely to drop out of school.

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Impact of Homelessness�on Children and Youth Cont.

• Students who frequently move score lower on standardized tests.
• Nationally 1.5 million children go to sleep every night without a home.
• Students more likely to suffer psychologically and socially.

• Students are not as likely to participate in extra or co curricular activities.
• More likely to act out or get in trouble.
• Idaho ranks 23 in the nation (3,000+ students).

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

• Definition: child or youth who meets the McKinney-Vento definition and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. 11434a(6)
• Many youth become separated from parents due to lack of space in living situations or shelter policies.
• Many flee abuse: 20-50% sexual; 40-60% physical.
• Many flee family dysfunction: Over 2/3 Hotline callers report at least one parent abuses drugs or alcohol.
• Roughly 1/3 homeless youth identify as LGBTQ.
• 10% of currently homeless female teens are pregnant.
• Many are not enrolled in school.

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Now that We Know Who

• What does the McKinney-Vento Act provide?
• School Stability.
• Enrollment.
• Support for Academic Success.
• Transportation
• Supplies

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Research on School Stability

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• Highly mobile students have lower test scores and worse overall academic performance than peers who do not change schools.
• Mobility also hurts non-mobile students; study found average test scores for non-mobile students were significantly lower in high schools with high student mobility rates.
• Students who changed high schools even once during high school were less than half as likely as stable students to graduate, even controlling for other factors.
• Hidden in Plain Sight: almost half of homeless students (49 percent) had to change schools, and many did so multiple times.

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How might staff help identify a student who might be homeless??

• Early arrival or departure from school.
• Lunch charges, lack funding
• Absenteeism, changes in routine
• Lack clothing or supplies
• Use school facilities for personal needs
• Store clothing or personal items at school
• Hygiene issues
• Dramatic change in grades or performance

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Ways Teachers Can Help:

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• Understand homeless children have heavy burdens and fears other children know nothing about.
• Be sensitive to challenges, such as homework papers that are wrinkled or messy.
• Many children do not have access to a computer; provide alternative ways to do assignments that are otherwise prepared on a computer.
• Collaborate with counselors, social workers when you “feel” new problems rising.
• Homeless students don’t need sympathy; they do need consistent support.
• Don’t assume students know basic social skills, such as how to play; they may need to be taught how to do so.
• Let each child know you genuinely believe in them, and that you support all their efforts to succeed, however small.

What to do?

• Contact school counselors or district liaison (Taylor Dial).
• They will act as point of contact with families in need and will determine needs of families and their situation.

���Educators may be the only consistent part of a child’s life during the time of homelessness.�