Homeless Services Program

St. Vrain Valley School District395 S. Pratt Parkway-LSCLongmont, Colorado 80501

Presented byLuis Chavez, Homeless Education Coordinator

Homeless Myths

• Homeless people are:• A fixed population who remain homeless inevitably • Mostly single men• Do not work and receive welfare• Mentally ill or substance abusers• They’re to be blamed for being homeless

www.mdhi.orgMetro Denver Homeless Initiative

Homeless Facts

• Homeless are a diverse population• 75% remain in the area they became homeless in• 40% Have been homeless for less than 6 months• 70% have been homeless for less than 2 years• 38% of the homeless are children• Many are victims of child abuse or violence• Many have lost their jobs• At least ¼ are veterans

www.mdhi.org

Homeless Statistics

• 84% of the homeless population are families• There is only one shelter within our school district that

houses families. • 14% of students experiencing homelessness are

suspended from school, double the rate of other children• 36% have repeated a grade

* MDHI Recent “Point-in-Time” Study: www.mdhi.org

No Child Left Behind ONE CHILD, ONE SCHOOL, ONE YEAR

McKinney-Vento Act• Homeless Education Assistance Act

*Access *Stability *Support

• Title X• Expands the federal definition of “homeless

children and youth”• Defines rights of children and youth in homeless

situations

Who are Homeless Children and Youth?

• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus and train stations, or similar settings.

• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camp grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.

• Awaiting foster care placement.

• Migratory children who are living in any of the circumstances described above.

• Abandoned children (such as in hospitals).

• Sleeping in public/private place not designed as a regular sleeping accommodation for humans.

• Living with others due to loss or lack of permanent housing as a result of economic hardship.

• Living in emergency or transitional shelters.

• Unaccompanied Youth

Individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence, such as those…

Enrollment Barriers for Children and Youth in Homeless Situations

• Lack of a permanent address• Enrollment requirements, including lack of immunizations• Lack of transportation• Perception of an unwelcoming school environment• Effects of poverty including fatigue, hunger and poor

health• Lack of school supplies, clothing, etc.• Prejudices/stereotypes

Rights of Students Living in Homeless Situations

(Under McKinney-Vento)

• Attend school and receive access to the same public education as other children

• Stay in the school they were attending when they became homeless-school of origin

• Enroll in and attend their school of choice-existing students already identified

• Receive transportation to the school they attended when became homeless

• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address

• Immediately attend school while immunization and school records necessary for enrollment are obtained.

Identifying Our Students

• 2010-2011 school year 763 students in the SVVSD were identified as homeless.

• 1% were Preschool students• 60% were Elementary students• 20% were Middle school students• 19% were High school students

• Almost every school identified at least 1 homeless student.

Infinite Campus System within St Vrain

Where did they sleep?

• Of our 763 Homeless Students

• 6% Sheltered• 90% Doubled or tripled up • 1% Unsheltered• 3% Motels

Increase-Decrease

2011-Current 694 students have been identified

2010-2011 763 students identified

2009-2010 1340 students identified

2008-2009 1202 students identified

Serving our Homeless Students

• Identify the students• Free/Reduced Lunch

Program• Support for Students and

Parents• Waving or Covering Some

Educational Fees• School Supplies and

Backpacks

• Transportation to school• Gas Only Cards• Bus Passes• School Bus

• Problem Solving• Dispute Resolution• Clothing, Shoes, Coats,

etc.• Prom Expenses• Summer Programming• Case Management for

Unaccompanied Youth• Inn Between Applications• Referrals to appropriate

resources

Who are “Unaccompanied Youth?

• Youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, including runaway youth.

• Youth who live doubled-up with friends, relatives, or with a friend’s family, even if their parents are willing to accept them back into their home.

Supporting Unaccompanied Youth

• Provide flexibility in school policies and procedures such as admissions criteria, attendance policies, course offerings, waiving of fees, and class assignments to encourage youth to stay in school

• Assist youth with emotional support, with access to community resources and with meeting special education and transportation needs

• Recognize homeless youth for attending school and acknowledge their extreme efforts to remain in school despite the barriers and struggles in their lives

Questions?

Thank you

Contact Info: Luis Chavez

Homeless Education Coordinator

St Vrain Schools303-682-7262

chavez_luis@svvsd.org