27 th Annual Conference November Impromptu Networking Find a partner and share the following: Your name and where are you from Have you ever been involved in advocacy to change a policy or law? What character trait(s) and/or skill(s) do you have that might make you a good advocate? 2 Why should NAEHCY folks get involved with policy? You are experts. No one else knows what you know. Good policies are informed policies. No one else is likely to take up these issues. Children and youth experiencing homelessness are invisible to the public and to policymakers. As constituents, you have the most power to effect change. 3 Why should NAEHCY folks get involved with state policy? All the same reasons, plus: Many of the laws that affect children and families are state laws. Education Child welfare Many of the laws that affect unaccompanied youth are state laws. 4 Lets get started 1. What law changes do you need in your state? 2. Where should you start? 3. Who should be on your team? 4. How do you approach policymakers? 5. When will we be done? Check out NAEHCYs State Advocacy Toolkit at5 What law changes do you need in your state? Can unaccompanied youth access medical care or shelter? Can they get their own birth certificates and access their school records? Do state laws support or hinder McKinney-Vento implementation? Do state laws make it harder for homeless youth to accrue credits? Participate in sports? Are there barriers to accessing benefits or services? How does child welfare law affect your students? Do foster youth have legal rights that could benefit homeless youth? 6 What law changes do you need in your state? (cont.) Ask young people. (How?) Ask service providers and community members. (Who?) Its important to understand the barrier, why it is happening, and what specific steps could address it. Its important to distinguish between implementation problems and legislative problems. 7 Where should you start? Do you have a deeper understanding and specific experience with some issues? Are some issues less controversial than others? Are there law changes that require little or no cost? What issues can rally the broadest and strongest support? Have your governor or legislators announced related initiatives you can build on? Can you build on laws that are already in place, in your state or elsewhere? 8 Where should you start? Research can be helpful! CHYP, kidsdata.org, and NAEHCY collaborated on CA report 9 ? Who should be on your team? Who really knows the issue? Youth, practitioners (which ones?) Who can help with the detail work? Lawyers (Pro bono? Legal services? NAEHCY?) Who has relationships at the Capitol? You probably know someone who knows a state legislator or two. (Where to start?) Who is likely to support your bill? Dont forget the media! (Good candidates?) Who might oppose your bill? 10 How do you approach policymakers? Let the people with the best relationships start the conversation. Have a specific proposal and concise justification ready. Ask for what you want, and know what youre willing to accept. Have data and real stories! Be prepared to answer questions and concerns. Go get information you dont have. Prepare witnesses to testify about bills. (Who?) 11 How do you approach policymakers? (cont). Solicit letters of support from constituents. (Who?) Especially members of relevant committees. It helps to share draft letters. Prepare witnesses to testify about bills. (Who?) Build momentum. (What organizations are good at this?) The media Advocacy days, especially led by youth Professional associations 12 Wait: Am I going to get into trouble for this?? Lobbying: asking legislators to take a specific position on a specific piece of legislation, or urge others to do the same (IRS definition for non- profits) Advocacy: any activity that a person or organization undertakes to influence policy - includes educating, providing information, arguing a cause. 13 Can you lobby? Check to be sure that you cant. Ive been amazed at how many liaisons can lobby, and how many superintendents support it. If you cant lobby: Advocate! Find others to make the pitch for you. Act as a private individual - you dont lose your rights as a citizen just because you work for government 14 When will we be done? When you win. It may require compromise (CA SB 177). It may require multiple tries (TX SB 1494). You may need to add supporters, raise the issues profile, tweak your proposal, and/or address opponents concerns. If the legislature isnt fruitful, administrative agencies may be able to help. 15 16 TX Successes SB 1494: Adds homeless students to existing protections for foster students: School districts must develop procedures to lessen the adverse impact of school transfers. Districts must facilitate access to extracurricular programs, summer programs, credit transfer services, electronic courses, and after-school tutoring programs at nominal or no cost. Districts must develop procedures for awarding credit, including partial credit, for course work, including electives, completed at another school. 17 TX Successes SB 1494 A students previous school district must award the student a diploma upon request if: The student transfers to a new district while in the 11th or 12 grade; The student is not eligible to graduate from the current district; and The student meets the graduation requirements of the district from which the student transferred. 18 TX Successes HB 679: The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs must complete a study on (1) the # of youth who are homeless in Texas, and (2) their needs. The initiative is called Youth Count Texas! Data and findings will lead to increased support for services for youth who are homeless in Texas. 19 CA Successes SB 177: Homeless Youth Education Success Act Deems homeless students to meet residency requirements for interscholastic sports, immediately upon enrollment Requires the California Department of Education and the Department of Social Services to: Organize an inter-agency work group Develop policies and practices to support homeless children and youth Ensure that child abuse and neglect reporting requirements do not create barriers 20 CA Successes (cont.) AB 1068: Pupil Records Gives unaccompanied youth age 14 and over the right to access and consent to disclose their school records Extends these rights to caregivers who enroll students in school using Californias caregiver authorization affidavit Prevents schools from releasing directory information of students experiencing homelessness, unless a parent expressly consents 21 CA Successes (cont.) AB 309: CalFresh (SNAP) for Homeless Youth Clarifies that there is no minimum age requirement for unaccompanied homeless youth to apply Requires consideration of unaccompanied youth as their own household if applicable Expedites benefits Provides for training for LEA liaisons and homeless shelter operators about CalFresh 22 CA Successes (cont.) AB 652: Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act: Homeless Children Clarifies that the fact that a child/youth is homeless or classified as an unaccompanied minor is not, in and of itself, a sufficient basis for reporting child abuse or neglect CA Successes (cont.) AB 1733: Free ID cards and birth certificates for homeless adults, children and youth Must provide verification of homelessness from a homeless liaison, service provider, or attorney Includes homeless children and youth under ED definition Language should allow homeless youth to obtain birth certificates on their own CA Successes (cont.) AB 1228: Housing in higher education Adds current and former (2 years) homeless youth to existing priority for foster youth for on-campus housing. Requires colleges to allow current and former homeless and foster youth to remain in the dorms over breaks at no extra cost. Requires colleges to develop a plan to ensure homeless and foster youth can access housing resources as needed during breaks and between academic terms. Homelessness must be verified by a homeless services provider (includes liaisons, FAAs, many others). Homeless youth retain these rights for 6 years. CA Successes (cont.) SB 252: GED and HS Proficiency Exam fee waiver Waives HSPE for homeless youth under age 25. Waives GED fees charged by testing centers for homeless youth under age 25. State fee of $20 is not waived. Homelessness must be verified by a homeless services provider (includes liaisons and many others). CA Successes (cont.) AB 1806: Increasing graduation rates Adds homeless students to existing foster youth exemption from district-specific graduation requirements if they change districts after their 2 nd year of high school. Ensures partial credits for students who change schools during homelessness Requires liaisons to be invited to meetings regarding potential expulsions of homeless students (does not require attendance). Crowd Sourcing for Homeless Youth If you were ten times bolder, what law or policy would you try to change to support youth who are homeless in your city, state, or country? 28 Contact Information Christine Gendron, TX Network of Youth Services Shahera Hyatt, CA Homeless Youth Project Patricia Julianelle (202)