Statewide Networks and Postsecondary ProgramsMonday, October 29, 2012

10:30 – 11:45

College and Career Readiness Those that find the college access

process smooth usually: 1) know exactly where they want to go 2) know how to get there3) have the resources to pay for it

In which of these categories do homeless students fit?

What are Networks? People and organizations working

together to help homeless students access and complete postsecondary programs

People and organizations that understand how to advocate for populations and how to navigate the system

Why Are They Needed? Current college access and success

information presumes that students have supporting adults and access to resources.

Navigating the transition process into a postsecondary program is complicated and frightening and steers the most highly educated person into a dimension of ignorance.

Postsecondary Institutions

What do they have in common? Entrance requirements? Y/N? Financial aid packages? Y/N? Housing? Y/N? Understanding of homelessness? Y/N? On-campus supports? Y/N? Academic offerings and supports? Y/N? Supportive off-campus communities?

Y/N?

Answers: “No” to all.

Do We Understand Each Other?

Most likely notGrowing need; dwindling resourcesUnclear or nonexistent guidelines that address the issue of homeless educationBottom of the list of priorities for federal, state, and district policy makersMired in bureaucracy, too much work for too few resources, power struggles without focus

We Seem Stuck!

What Do Networks Do? Individualize the process Sort through the current policies and

procedures of each campus and identify challenges for homeless students

Address the amount of flexibility a campus will allow to accommodate the needs of homeless students

Inform campus gatekeepers of the needs of homeless students and hope for an understanding

How Are Networks Built? Begins with NAEHCY/NCHE staff and

volunteers identifying key stakeholders in each state; or, can begin with you

Connecting the district liaison, statewide coordinator, and postsecondary contacts

Training higher education staff on homeless issues, challenges faced, McKinney-Vento law, and US Department of Education guidelines

Training liaisons on higher education policy and procedures

Navigation Tool Housing; Financial Aid; Academic Supports;

Tutoring/Mentoring; Emergency Services: Health/Counseling; Other needs

Understanding of homeless issues: Strong Some Possibilities None

Is it a good fit?

Existing Networks & Resources

Colorado NetworkColorado Network Consists of stakeholders from:

Colorado Department of Education K-12 McKinney-Vento Liaisons Higher Education personnel from

Financial Aid, Admissions, and Student Support Services

•Collaborates to streamline the verification process between K-12 and higher education•Has established Single Points of Contact (SPOCS) in all CO colleges/universities to help eliminate barriers to higher education access

Colorado NetworkColorado Network Barriers addressed included waiving

application fees, deferring housing deposits, and connecting students with community resources

In 2011 the Colorado taskforce along with the nonprofit homeless service provider Family Tree established private funding to assist UHY. SPOCs apply for funding through Family

Tree to provide student IDs, bedding, toiletry items, and other basic needs not covered by other sources

North Carolina NetworkNorth Carolina Network Includes staff from NCHE, NC Homeless

Education Program, K-12, public and private universities, community colleges, RHYA program, NC State Education Assistance Authority, College Foundation of NC, etc. Began with top-level administrators More effective after adding members who

provide direct services Established Single Points of Contact (SPOCS) in

all NC colleges/universities Collaborated on products, publications,

webinars, and conference presentations

North Carolina NetworkNorth Carolina Network Started in midst of recession Budgets for higher ed institutions

devastated Personnel cuts Institutional barriers within systems Not in any organization’s scope of work Legislative change is required to use

standard forms in colleges and universities No champion from higher ed emerged

immediately

Overcoming Network Barriers Getting Started Start time may not be ideal, but keep

up progress Building relationships takes time It’s worth investing the effort to help

everyone understand the issues Choose manageable amount of work Keep momentum going Small steps forward are still progress

NCHE Resources Helpline: 800-308-2145 or

homeless@serve.org Website: http://center.serve.org/nche

Access to Higher Education for Students Experiencing Homelessnesshttp://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php

Scholarshipshttp://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/scholarships.php

Sample Forms and Materialshttp://center.serve.org/nche/forum/higher_ed.php

NAEHCY ResourcesNational Association for the Education of

Homeless Children and Youth:http://www.naehcy.org

NAEHCY Higher Education Helpline1 (855) 446-2673 (toll-free) | highered@naehcy.org

FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Youth Without Stable Housing Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access College Financial Aid Brief

http://naehcy.org/tk/cl.htmlUnaccompanied Homeless Youth Toolkits

Additional ResourcesAdditional ResourcesApplication and Verification Guide (AVG) Chapter 5 - Special Cases (p. 99-106) http://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1213AVG.pdf

Recommendations for Transitioning UHY to Higher Education (Colorado)

http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprevention/download/Homeless%20Education%202010/NEW%20CDE%20WEB%20SITE%202010/6%20Higher%20Education/Best%20Practices%20in%20Transitioning%20Homeless%20Youth%20to%20Higher%20Education%20-%206-18-09%20JG.docx

State Resources Arizona College Access Network (AZCAN)

http://www.azcan.gov/FosterYouthHomeless.aspx

Kentucky http://louisville.edu/financialaid/cardinal-covenant.

New Hampshire (www.nhheaf.org) Oklahoma College Assistance Program (OK-

CAN) http://okcollegeaccess.org/ New York Technical Assistance Center

http://www.nysteachs.org/

Contact Us Marcia E. Weston

Membership Support and Program ServicesProject Manager-College and Career Readiness

(E) marcia.weston@ymca.net

Cyekeia LeeNational Higher Education Liaison for Homeless

Youth National Association for the Education of

Homeless Children and Youth(P) (734)-258-8175

(E) clee@naehcy.org