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Maryland Higher Education Network Webinar October 11, 2016
Supporting Unaccompanied
Homeless Youth &
Foster Youth Students
Why this is important:
Each year, thousands of youth who experience homelessness or foster care
access postsecondary education programs while facing many barriers.
These situations can prevent students from accessing postsecondary education programs, or cause
disruption once they are on postsecondary campuses.
Today’s presenters from postsecondary institutions and community based
organizations will share resources and best practices to support homeless and foster
youth that access postsecondary education programs in Maryland.
Today’s Presenters
▪ Cyekeia Lee, Director of Higher Education Initiatives, NAEHCY, clee@naehcy.org
▪ Melissa Rock, Child Welfare Director, ACY, mrock@acy.org
▪ Rich Heath, Financial Aid Director, Anne Arundel Community College, rcheath@aacc.edu
▪ Heather Griner, Director, College and Community Outreach Services, Community College of Baltimore County, hgriner@ccbcmd.edu
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN TODAY’S WEBINAR
Open and close your panel
Submit text questions and
review responses
Today’s webinar will be
recorded and posted:
http://www.acy.org/policies/
child-welfare/policy-priorities-child-welfare/
3
What is the Maryland Higher Education Network?
4
MARYLAND HIGHER EDUCATION NETWORK
• Improving implementation of tuition waiver for UHY and FY including trainings and statutory fixes
•Outreach to ensure UHY, FY, and the professionals who work with them are well informed about the waivers
•Ensuring there is a robust service array for UHY & FY on their campuses to help them succeed academically
Goal: Improve Higher
Educational Outcomes for
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY) and Foster
Youth (FY)
5
Maryland Higher Education Network Members
Conveners: Advocates for Children and Youth, Public Justice Center, & National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)—Contact us if you would like to join!
Anne Arundel County Community College, Baltimore City Community College,
Community College of Baltimore County, & Prince George’s County Community
College
Anne Arundel County & Baltimore City Public Schools
Baltimore Outreach
CollegeBound Foundation
Delegates Eric Ebersole & Mary Washington
Foster Care to Success
Hope Forward
Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers
Maryland Higher Education Commission
Maryland Legal Aid
Morgan State University
University System of Maryland
YES Drop-In Center
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NAEHCY HIGHER EDUCATION
NAEHCY is a national membership association that connects educators, parents, advocates, researchers, and
service providers to ensure school enrollment, attendance and overall
success for children and youth whose lives have been disrupted by the lack of safe,
permanent, and adequate housing.
NAEHCY’s Higher Education Initiative aims to promote college access and success for homeless youth that access higher education by
•Providing technical assistance via the NAEHCY Helpline
•Supporting and creating statewide higher education networks
•Providing state and national trainings
•Partnering with higher education associations and organizations to address physical, emotional, and academic barriers homeless students face
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Who are the unaccompanied homeless youth and foster youth?
8
Youth Experiencing Homelessness
(Nationally) 2013-2014 school year
1,360,747 homeless children and youth enrolled in public
schools
8% increase over the previous year
100% increase since 2006-2007 recession
13% of all poor school aged children and youth
30% of all extremely poor school aged children and
youth
Over 90,000 unaccompanied homeless youth
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Youth Experiencing Homelessness
in Maryland
“Maryland lacks reliable data on the number and characteristics of UHYYA in our state, but available statistics indicate that the population is significant and growing. For instance, a 2011 count in Baltimore City identified 640 UHYYA, a 50% increase from 2009, and Maryland State
Department of Education data indicated a 267% increase in the number of unaccompanied homeless students identified by local school districts between 2008 and 2012 (from 431 to 1,577).” (http://tinyurl.com/zts8dbx)
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13,000
13,500
14,000
14,500
15,000
15,500
16,000
16,500
SY10-11 SY11-12 SY12-13
Identified
Homeless Students
Enrolled in
Maryland k-12…
http://nchespp.serve.org/
profile/MD
2015 Homeless Youth Count Demonstration Continuum of Care
# of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth identified during Youth
REACH MD Survey
Annapolis/Anne Arundel 46
Baltimore City 540
Baltimore County 54
Lower Shore 30
Prince George's County 122
Washington County/Hagerstown 42
Total 834
“Maryland’s First
Unaccompanied
Homeless
Youth & Young
Adult Count:
Findings from
Youth REACH MD
Phase 2,” March
2016
(http://www.youth
reachmd.com/)
11
Maryland’s College Aged Foster Youth
Maryland Department of Human Resources, SSA, Child Welfare Data, June 2016, pp. 32 & 60. http://dhr.maryland.gov/documents/Data%20and%20Re
ports/SSA/Monthly%20Child%20Welfare%20Data/SFY%202
016/2016-06-Child-Welfare-Data.pdf
12
What’s the problem?
13
Barriers to Higher Education for Unaccompanied Homeless & Foster Youth
Lack of access to parental financial
information and support
Lack of financial
means to live independently and safely
Inability to be
financially self-sufficient
once enrolled in
college
Limited housing options,
especially in small towns
or rural areas
Struggling to balance
school and other
responsibilities
Lack of adult guidance
and support
Lack of information
about available support systems
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Barriers to Higher Education for UHY & FY: Mobility
• 41% of homeless students attend 2+ schools in a year
• 28% attend 3+ schools in a year
Homeless youth
•Children who left foster care by age 18 had an average of 3 placement changes. Those who were in foster care through age 18 experienced even more changes.
•65% children entering foster care change schools mid-year
•Survey of former foster youth: 65% experienced 7+ school changes
Foster youth
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Barriers to Higher Education for UHY & FY: Mobility
•Results in lower math and reading scores
•National study: Students who transferred 2+ times between 8th & 12th grade twice as likely to drop out
•Students who transferred 4+ times by grade 6 lost 1 year academically
•Schools with significant student mobility report impact on non-mobile students and overall school climate
Mobility undermines
achievement
•Difficulty transferring/accruing credits
•Enrollment requirements - e.g. school records, health records, proof of residence and guardianship
•School uniform requirements
•Different rules/expectations across schools
•Programs/supports available at some schools and not others
•Lack of friends, familiar teachers, opportunity to learn about activities
Why?
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High School Graduation Disparities for Foster Youth
Jurisdiction
# of FY
Graduated
Percent FY
Graduating # of total Graduated
Percent total Graduated
Percent FY Not
Graduated
Total FY in 12th grade
Allegany N/A N/A 638 92.1% N/A N/A
Anne Arundel * 100.0% 5,025 88.0% 0.0% *
Baltimore City 81 65.9% 3,540 69.5% 34.1% 123
Baltimore County 24 72.7% 6,882 87.8% 27.3% 33
Calvert * 50.0% 1,264 94.2% 50.0% *
Caroline * 100.0% 354 88.7% 0.0% * Carroll * 40.0% N/A N/A 60.0% *
Cecil * 77.8% 1,060 87.8% 22.2% *
Charles * 75.0% 2,127 92.4% 25.0% *
Dorchester * 100.0% 306 86.2% 0.0% *
Frederick 11 64.7% 2,861 93.5% 35.3% 17
Garrett * 50.0% 243 93.5% 50.0% *
Harford * 40.0% 2,602 89.9% 60.0% *
Howard * 100.0% 3,839 93.5% 0.0% *
Kent * 0.0% 158 90.8% 100.0% *
Montgomery 15 57.7% 9,940 89.4% 42.3% 26
Prince George's 23 65.7% 7,321 78.8% 34.3% 35
Queen Anne's * 50.0% 571 94.9% 50.0% *
St. Mary's * 100.0% 1,231 94.3% 0.0% *
Somerset N/A N/A 161 88% N/A N/A
Talbot * 100.0% 290 93.3% 0.0% *
Washington * 53.8% 1,599 91.2% 46.2% 13
Wicomico * 100.0% 857 83.5% 0.0% * Worcester * 50.0% 486 93.1% 50.0% *
TOTAL 202 66.7% 55,473 87.0% 33.3% 303
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What are some financial resources to help pay for college?
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FAFSA: Unaccompanied Homeless Youth & Foster Youth
19
Online
FAFSA
2016-
2017
20
Financial Aid– The Basics
21
• Families are expected to contribute to higher education costs to the extent they are able
Expected family contribution (EFC)
• New FAFSA release date October 1, (beginning 2016)
• For dependent students, income and asset information required for both the student and a parent; parental signature require
• For independent students, no parental signature nor income and asset information is needed
FAFSA
Prior-prior Tax Year Information
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Students and parents will now need to include add “Prior-Prior” tax information (Tax information from 2 years prior, beginning October 1, 2016)
•http://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/announcement-detail.jsp?id=2017-18-fafsa-changes.
Resources on new FAFSA release date available for students, parents, and counselors
College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA)
• Can apply for financial aid without parental signature or consideration of parental income
• Must be determined by:
• Local homeless liaison
• RHYA-funded shelter director or designee
• HUD-funded shelter director or designee
• College financial aid administrator
Independent student status for unaccompanied homeless youth
and self-supporting youth
at risk of homelessness
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How do you verify if a young person is an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth?
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Verification of UHY Status Form
•Can be used by any of the four verifiers:
•Local homeless liaison
•RHYA-funded shelter director or designee
•HUD-funded shelter director or designee
•College financial aid administrator
•Copy should be on file with the school, one with student, and one sent to college/university.
•Valid for only one academic year from the district homeless liaison.
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Documentation of Independent
Student Status for the FAFSA:
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Application and Verification Guide Updated Application and Verification Guide released in 2016
Borrows language from NCHE’s brief Determining Eligibility located
at: http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/det_elig.pdf
Homeless youth status determination is not considered a case of
professional judgement
It is not conflicting information if the FAA disagrees with an authorities
determination
Institutions are not required to verify answers to homeless youth status
questions unless there is conflicting information
Student can use mailing address of friend or relative where they can
receive reliable mail, or they may use an address on campus if they
receive permission
26
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Interview Sample Questions
27
Please summarize parental contact and support.
• Is it regular (predictable, routine, and consistent) fixed (permanent, unlikely to change)?
• Is it adequate? (meets physical and psychological needs, utilities on, building codes)?
Describe your living accommodations.
Describe how are you supporting yourself (purchasing food, clothes, and basic needs)?
Are you working? How many hours a week? Where are you working?
Required Components For Determination of UHY Status
28
At risk of being
homeless : Y/N OR Homeless:
Y/N
Self-supporting:
Y/N
Unaccompanied youth/not living in physical company
of parent:
Y/N
Student is 21 yrs. or less: Y/N
OR Enrolled in high school :
Y/N
(22-24 yrs. old also may qualify)
2014-2015 Application and UHY Verification Guide
• Not required unless there is conflicting information.
• Documented interview (even via phone) is acceptable.
• Should be done with discretion and sensitivity.
• Some information may be confidential.
• Child welfare reports are not necessary.
• Guidance recommends consulting with local homeless liaisons, State Coordinators, NAEHCY, school counselors, clergy, etc.
Financial Aid Admin. Verification:
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Role of Financial Aid Administrator
• According to the Application and Verification Guide, if a student does not have, and cannot get, documentation from a local liaison, RHYA provider, or HUD provider, a FAA must make a determination of homeless/unaccompanied status.
• This is not an “exercise of professional judgment” or a “dependency override” for youth 21 and younger; this is determining the independent student status of an unaccompanied homeless youth.
Role of the Financial Aid Administrator
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Maryland’s Tuition Waiver for UHY & FY See MD Code Education § 15-106.1
Who Qualifies?
What does it
provide?
•Current foster youth & some former foster youth or unaccompanied homeless youth; and
•Under 25 years old, and
•Obtained high school diploma or GED
•Up to 5 years of free tuition at a public, state institution in Maryland
• Includes all costs, charges and fees associated with enrollment in credit and non-credit courses for:
•Bachelor’s degree
•Associates degree
•Vocational Certificate
31
Homeless Youth Eligible for Tuition Waiver
He/she lives an unstable housing situation (e.g. couch surfing, shelter, on the streets, in a car or a vacant house or building) without financial or other support from parents or
legal guardian; and
He/she has been in Maryland consistently for at least a 1 year; and
He/she has been determined to be homeless by the school district’s homeless education liaison, the director of a HUD-funded shelter, or the director of a Runaway and Homeless Youth Act basic center, or the Financial Aid officer for the
prospective or current college.
32
Current & Former Foster Youth Eligible for Tuition Waiver
Resided in out-of-home placement on his/her 18th birthday; or
Resided in out-of-home placement on his/her 13th birthday, and were placed into guardianship or adopted; or
The younger sibling of someone who was in out-of-home placement on his/her 13th birthday and were placed into
guardianship or adopted by the same family; or
Resided in out-of-home placement in Maryland for at least 1 year on or after his/her 13th birthday and returned to his/her
parent’s home.
33
What supportive services are available for Unaccompanied
Homeless Youth and Foster Youth?
34
On Campus Supportive Services
College Student
Financial Aid
Admissions
Registrar
Health Services
Counseling Services
Police & Public Safety
Residence Life
Academic Support
35
UHY/ Foster
Youth in College
LDSS
ETV
Aging out of foster
care
Medicaid
Housing (during school breaks)
Public Assistance
Complex Family
Dynamics
Trauma
Foster & Homeless Youth Ecosystem
36
Navigating Multiple Systems
Student
Financial Aid
Admissions
Registrar
Health Services
Counseling Services
Police & Public Safety
Residence Life
Academic Support
Foster Youth/ UHY in
College
LDSS ETV
Aging out of foster
care
Medicaid
Housing (during school breaks)
Public Assistance
Complex Family
Dynamics
Trauma
37
Supportive Services Best Practices: Partnerships (Prince George’s Community College-PGCC)
Prince George’s Community College’s Coordinator of Recruitment added Foster Youth as a special population, so they could be on her caseload
Partnership between PGCC and Prince George’s County Department of Social Services (PGDSS)
PGCC is training PGDSS caseworkers
Created a referral system- other caseworkers and other foster youth come to her with questions, and she’s able to help them navigate the system
38
Supportive Services Best Practices: Student Navigators
(Community College of Baltimore County– CCBC)
Financial Aid office at Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) gets the list of foster youth receiving tuition waiver.
CCBC has a College & Community Outreach Office with 1 full-time Director and 5 part-time navigators.
• They bridge students to services such as: Clinical Counseling, transportation assistance, pro bono lawyers, emergency funds
• The navigators meet individually with students
• In their first year, they helped over 300 students
CCBC also has 2 earned benefits specialists on campus who help students apply for public benefits including Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and daycare vouchers.
39
Supportive Services Best Practices: Work Group (University of Maryland College Park- UMCP)
To better meet the needs of their UHY and FY students, UMCP created a work group. The group included their Counseling Center, Health Center, Financial Aid Office, , Maryland Incentive Programs, Dining Services, Student Affairs Office, TRIO programs, Resident Life, Student Union, advocates from each academic area, students, and other staff and faculty who volunteered to be involved.
The workgroup researched what has been done for those student populations historically as well as best practices from across the country.
The Director of their Office of Parent and Family Affairs will be serving as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for UMCP.
• The Financial Aid Office will e-mail UHY and FY utilizing tuition waiver and give them the contact information for the SPOC
• The SPOC will tell them what he can help them with
• The SPOC will follow up to make sure they fill out their FAFSA
• The SPOC will help them navigate through any issues with financial aid and connect them with any services that they need and are available.
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QUESTIONS? Monisha Cherayil
Public Justice Center
cherayilm@publicjustice.org
(410) 625-9409 x234
www.publicjustice.org
Cyekeia Lee
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth
clee@naehcy.org NAEHCY Higher Education Hotline:
(855) 446-2673
www.naehcy.org
Melissa Rock
Advocates for Children and Youth
mrock@acy.org
(410) 547-9200 x3024
www.acy.org
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