Coordinating Title I Services with Homeless Programs Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Thomas Gluck, Acting Secretary of Education

Coordinating Title I Services with Homeless Programs

Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Thomas Gluck, Acting Secretary of Education www.education.state.pa.us

Coordinating Title I Coordinating Title I Services with Homeless Services with Homeless

ProgramsPrograms Karl StreckewaldKarl Streckewald Regional CoordinatorRegional Coordinator Division of Federal Programs, PDEDivision of Federal Programs, PDE

Sheldon WinnickSheldon Winnick State CoordinatorState Coordinator McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, PDEMcKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, PDE

May, 2010



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Goals of WorkshopGoals of Workshop

To provide an understanding of the requirements To provide an understanding of the requirements of homeless education programs through of homeless education programs through McKinney-Vento Homeless Education ActMcKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act

To provide an understanding of the requirements To provide an understanding of the requirements in Title I to coordinate services with homeless in Title I to coordinate services with homeless programsprograms

How the Title I set-aside for homeless students How the Title I set-aside for homeless students may be used to support McKinney-Vento may be used to support McKinney-Vento programsprograms



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AgendaAgenda

Overview of McKinney-Vento Homeless Overview of McKinney-Vento Homeless Education ActEducation Act

Title I Collaboration with McKinney- VentoTitle I Collaboration with McKinney- Vento Allowable Uses of Title I Funds to Support Allowable Uses of Title I Funds to Support

Homeless Education ProgramsHomeless Education Programs



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Overview of McKinney-VentoOverview of McKinney-Vento

McKinney-Vento ActMcKinney-Vento Act Created in 1987 Created in 1987 IssuesIssues

Homelessness continues to be associated with lower standardized Homelessness continues to be associated with lower standardized test scores, high absenteeism, multiple school transfers and deep test scores, high absenteeism, multiple school transfers and deep poverty.poverty.

50% of homeless children were not enrolled in and attending school 50% of homeless children were not enrolled in and attending school 11

PurposePurpose Ensure the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless Ensure the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless

studentsstudents

1 Report to Congress, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (1984)



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McKinney-Vento McKinney-Vento Homeless Education ActHomeless Education Act

Basic Components of a Homeless Basic Components of a Homeless Education ProgramEducation Program NCLB RequirementsNCLB Requirements Types of ServicesTypes of Services

PA System of Support for Homeless PA System of Support for Homeless ProgramsPrograms Regional and Site CoordinatorsRegional and Site Coordinators



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Homeless and Title IHomeless and Title I

Homeless students are automatically Title IHomeless students are automatically Title I Often experience lower standardized test scores, high Often experience lower standardized test scores, high

absenteeism, multiple school transfers and deep poverty absenteeism, multiple school transfers and deep poverty Unique educational barriers not common to non-homeless Unique educational barriers not common to non-homeless

Title I studentsTitle I students High mobilityHigh mobility TraumaTrauma Adverse living conditions Adverse living conditions

Collaboration between Homeless Programs and Title I Collaboration between Homeless Programs and Title I Services is critical to meeting the unique needs of these Services is critical to meeting the unique needs of these children in at-risk situationschildren in at-risk situations

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Why Are Homeless Children Why Are Homeless Children Automatically Entitled to Title I?Automatically Entitled to Title I? Among Among the mostthe most educationally at risk: educationally at risk:

43% repeat a grade 43% repeat a grade 22

Only one-third read at grade level Only one-third read at grade level 33

50% are failing academically 50% are failing academically 22

Over 25% have special education needs Over 25% have special education needs 22

45% do not attend school regularly 45% do not attend school regularly 44

Therefore, serving homeless children is an Therefore, serving homeless children is an integral part of Title I, Part Aintegral part of Title I, Part A

2 Bassuk & Rubin, 1987) Homeless children: A neglected population. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 57(2), 279-286

3 Rescorla, Parker, & Stolley, 1991) Ability, achievement, and adjustment for homeless children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 61(2), 210-220

4 Duffield, 2001) The educational rights of homeless children: Policies and practices. Educational Studies, 32, 323-336



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Definition of “Homeless” in NCLBDefinition of “Homeless” in NCLB

Students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate Students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residencenighttime residence

Living in shelters, hotels, motels and camping groundsLiving in shelters, hotels, motels and camping grounds Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildingsLiving in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings Sharing housing (doubled up) due to loss of housing or Sharing housing (doubled up) due to loss of housing or

economic hardshipeconomic hardship Awaiting foster care placementAwaiting foster care placement Migratory children who qualify as homelessMigratory children who qualify as homeless Unaccompanied youth living in the situations aboveUnaccompanied youth living in the situations above

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Role of Regional & Site CoordinatorsRole of Regional & Site Coordinators

Expedite enrollment for homeless in public education. Expedite enrollment for homeless in public education. Primary functions include: Primary functions include:

Interpreting McKinney-VentoInterpreting McKinney-Vento Clarifying PDE’s “Education For Homeless Youth” Clarifying PDE’s “Education For Homeless Youth”

Basic Education CircularBasic Education Circular Develop a network in schools, shelters, agencies, and Develop a network in schools, shelters, agencies, and

task forcestask forces Help to resolve enrollment disputes by educating the Help to resolve enrollment disputes by educating the

public and schools about the programpublic and schools about the program Expediting enrollment, school records, immunization Expediting enrollment, school records, immunization

records, and transportation concernsrecords, and transportation concerns



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Role of School District Role of School District Homeless LiaisonHomeless Liaison

Identify homeless children Identify homeless children Educate parents/ guardians about the student's Educate parents/ guardians about the student's

educational rights educational rights Disseminate information about the educational rights of Disseminate information about the educational rights of

homeless students homeless students Expedite enrollment and assist with school records, Expedite enrollment and assist with school records,

immunizationsimmunizations Mediate enrollment disputes Mediate enrollment disputes Implement and support PDE’s “Education For Homeless Implement and support PDE’s “Education For Homeless

Youth” Basic Education CircularYouth” Basic Education Circular Provide equal access to comparable services includingProvide equal access to comparable services including

Title ITitle I



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Collaboration Between Title I Collaboration Between Title I and Homeless Studentsand Homeless Students

Title I Eligible StudentsTitle I Eligible Students• LEAs must provide services and programs under Title I toLEAs must provide services and programs under Title I to meet the needs of the most educationally needy studentsmeet the needs of the most educationally needy students

•Services are targeted to these studentsServices are targeted to these students• NCLB also mandates that if children meet certain criteria, NCLB also mandates that if children meet certain criteria, they are they are automatically eligibleautomatically eligible for Title I services for Title I services

• HomelessHomeless• Head StartHead Start• Even StartEven Start• Title I Public Pre-schoolTitle I Public Pre-school



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Providing Title I Services to Providing Title I Services to Homeless ChildrenHomeless Children

SchoolwideSchoolwide programs: LEAs do a needs programs: LEAs do a needs assessment and address the needs of assessment and address the needs of allall students in the schoolstudents in the school

Targeted AssistedTargeted Assisted schools: LEAs provide schools: LEAs provide services to children with the greatest academic services to children with the greatest academic need – homeless children are eligible, but are need – homeless children are eligible, but are provided services based on educational needprovided services based on educational need

Different ServicesDifferent Services: Homeless children may : Homeless children may need additional/different services (need additional/different services (e.ge.g., after-., after-school library time)school library time)



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Homeless Set Aside for Homeless Set Aside for Non-Title I BuildingsNon-Title I Buildings

An LEA must reserve “such funds as are An LEA must reserve “such funds as are necessary” to provide comparable services to necessary” to provide comparable services to homeless children who do not attend participating homeless children who do not attend participating Title I schools and may provide support services Title I schools and may provide support services to children in shelters and other locations where to children in shelters and other locations where homeless children live. homeless children live. 20 U.S.C. 6313(c)(3)20 U.S.C. 6313(c)(3)

Provide services in non-Title I schools comparable Provide services in non-Title I schools comparable to those for homeless students in Title I schoolsto those for homeless students in Title I schools..



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Determining Set Aside AmountsDetermining Set Aside Amounts

• LEAs may choose one of these methods or any LEAs may choose one of these methods or any other comparable method:other comparable method:• Base the amount on current expenditures Base the amount on current expenditures • Multiply the number of homeless students by the Multiply the number of homeless students by the

Title I per pupil allocationTitle I per pupil allocation• Reserve a proportionate percentage based on Reserve a proportionate percentage based on

the district’s poverty % or Title I allocationthe district’s poverty % or Title I allocation• RRequires coordination between LEA Title I and equires coordination between LEA Title I and

homeless program homeless program • Guidance is available: Guidance is available:

http://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/calculating_setasides.pdfhttp://center.serve.org/nche/downloads/calculating_setasides.pdf



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Uses of Title I Funds for Homeless Uses of Title I Funds for Homeless

Title I Homeless funds should be coordinated with Title I Homeless funds should be coordinated with the McKinney-Vento program in the districtsthe McKinney-Vento program in the districts Not a “stand alone” programNot a “stand alone” program Focus of McKinney-Vento is ensuring school stability by Focus of McKinney-Vento is ensuring school stability by

ensuring transportation to school of originensuring transportation to school of origin Focus of Title I is broader and addresses the diverse Focus of Title I is broader and addresses the diverse

needs of this educationally at-risk populationneeds of this educationally at-risk population Title I is to be used after all other sources of fundsTitle I is to be used after all other sources of funds Services that are not reasonably available from other sources Services that are not reasonably available from other sources

((e.g.,e.g., school uniforms) school uniforms) Both programs are critical to meeting the needs of Both programs are critical to meeting the needs of

homeless students homeless students



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Underlying Principle of Underlying Principle of Expanded Uses of Title I FundsExpanded Uses of Title I Funds

Title I funds may be used to provide services Title I funds may be used to provide services that are “authorized” but not expressly that are “authorized” but not expressly required by the McKinney-Vento Actrequired by the McKinney-Vento Act Example:Example:

Transportation to school of origin/attendance area while Transportation to school of origin/attendance area while homeless: required so use district and M-V funds; Title I is homeless: required so use district and M-V funds; Title I is not allowednot allowed

Transportation to school of origin/attendance area once Transportation to school of origin/attendance area once permanent housing is found (to give continuity for permanent housing is found (to give continuity for remainder of school year): is optional and authorized by remainder of school year): is optional and authorized by McKinney-Vento McKinney-Vento andand Title I funds Title I funds



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Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: Supplemental InstructionSupplemental Instruction

Services normally provided to Title I students – Services normally provided to Title I students – tutoring, after-school programs, extended learning tutoring, after-school programs, extended learning time, Saturday classes, summer school) time, Saturday classes, summer school)

Services to assist homeless students in meeting Services to assist homeless students in meeting the State’s challenging academic achievement the State’s challenging academic achievement standards standards

May be used to provide educationally-related May be used to provide educationally-related support services at the shelter or alternate location support services at the shelter or alternate location where they live or at the school where they live or at the school (services outside (services outside of school may not be during school hours)of school may not be during school hours)



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Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: TransportationTransportation

Ensure that Ensure that formerlyformerly homeless students can homeless students can attend their school of origin/attendance area for attend their school of origin/attendance area for the remainder of the year in which they become the remainder of the year in which they become permanently housed. (Guidance M-2) If feasible, permanently housed. (Guidance M-2) If feasible, reasonable, and best interestreasonable, and best interest

Can not be used for other kinds of transportation Can not be used for other kinds of transportation required by McKinney-Vento or the districtrequired by McKinney-Vento or the district



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Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: Other ServicesOther Services

Used with discretion (in the absence of Used with discretion (in the absence of other funds and documented) other funds and documented)

For items not ordinarily provided to other For items not ordinarily provided to other Title I students and not “reasonably Title I students and not “reasonably available” from other sources to help available” from other sources to help homeless students effectively take homeless students effectively take advantage of educational opportunities: advantage of educational opportunities:

UniformsUniforms School SuppliesSchool Supplies Health ServicesHealth Services



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Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: Permissible Uses of Title I Funds: Other ServicesOther Services

Parent InvolvementParent Involvement Basic NeedsBasic Needs Outreach ServicesOutreach Services Counseling ServicesCounseling Services Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development Coordination with other programs to serve Coordination with other programs to serve

homeless children homeless children ((e.g.,e.g., Response to Intervention) Response to Intervention)



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Examples of Examples of Permissible Uses of Title I FundsPermissible Uses of Title I Funds

Examples of services reasonable and necessary to assist Examples of services reasonable and necessary to assist homeless students to take advantage of educational homeless students to take advantage of educational opportunities:opportunities:

Clothing/shoes necessary to participate in physical educationClothing/shoes necessary to participate in physical education Student fees necessary to participate in the general ed programStudent fees necessary to participate in the general ed program• Fees for SAT/ACT testingFees for SAT/ACT testing GED testing for school-age students GED testing for school-age students Birth certificates, immunizations needed to enroll in school Birth certificates, immunizations needed to enroll in school Food, medical and dental servicesFood, medical and dental services Eyeglasses and hearing aidsEyeglasses and hearing aids Counseling services to address anxiety related to homelessness Counseling services to address anxiety related to homelessness

that is impeding learningthat is impeding learning



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Non-Allowable Uses of Title I Non-Allowable Uses of Title I Funds for HomelessFunds for Homeless

Transportation of school-aged homeless Transportation of school-aged homeless child to school of origin/attendance area child to school of origin/attendance area

Prom gowns or tuxedosProm gowns or tuxedos Regular clothing for the student or family Regular clothing for the student or family

members members Yearbook feesYearbook fees



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Coordinating ServicesCoordinating Services

District Title I Coordinator should work with the District Title I Coordinator should work with the Regional Homeless Coordinator to:Regional Homeless Coordinator to: Discuss and plan what the Title I set-aside will cover and Discuss and plan what the Title I set-aside will cover and

how it fits into the overall McKinney-Vento plan.how it fits into the overall McKinney-Vento plan. Title I staff may attend professional development Title I staff may attend professional development

activities relating to homeless educationactivities relating to homeless education Regional Homeless Coordinators may be invited to Regional Homeless Coordinators may be invited to

attend Title I related professional developmentattend Title I related professional development When in doubt, evaluate the needs of the individual When in doubt, evaluate the needs of the individual

homeless students on a case-by-case basishomeless students on a case-by-case basis



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Homeless Plan in eGrantsHomeless Plan in eGrants

LEAs are required to submit a plan for LEAs are required to submit a plan for how they coordinate homeless services how they coordinate homeless services beginning in the 2007-08 applicationbeginning in the 2007-08 application



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Online Training Video: “Homeless Online Training Video: “Homeless Education and Title I: Collaboration and Education and Title I: Collaboration and Compliance Training Video” – Compliance Training Video” –

http://servepres.serve.org/p79332226 / USDE Guidance – USDE Guidance –

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/homeless/guidance.doc

Division of Federal Programs – Regional Division of Federal Programs – Regional Coordinator (717-783-2193)Coordinator (717-783-2193)

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources



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Questions/AnswersQuestions/Answers

Documents

Coordinating Title I Services with Homeless Programs Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Thomas Gluck, Acting Secretary of Education