MULLIN ISD

PLAN FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Title I and McKinney – Vento Provisions

Contact Information MISD District Homeless Liaison Whitney Barker 830-703-0822 [email protected]

I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Procedures Eligibility of Homeless Students for Title I Services School of Origin Written Explanation of the Denial of School Selection Immediate Enrollment of Students Enrollment of Unaccompanied Youth Notice Appeal Enrollment of Students Pending Resolution of Disputes Coordination of Services Comparable Services Transportation Campus Homeless Liaison’s Role.

I.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Subtitle B-Education for Homeless Children and Youth), reauthorized in January 2002, ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Services to homeless children are required by Local Educational Agencies in the No Child Left Behind Act, and are primarily found under the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2002 (Title X, Part C No Child Left Behind Act) and under Title I. Definition of Homelessness (McKinney-Vento Act Sec. 725(2); 42 U.S.C 11435(2)) The term “homeless children and youths” A) Means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence…; and B) Includes ---

II.

i)

Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; or living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;

ii)

Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings…

iii)

Children and youths who are living in cars, parks public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and

iv)

Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii). Procedures

1. All Students will be given Student Residency Questionnaires to assess student eligibility. 2. All questionnaires will be reviewed by homeless liaisons on individual campuses and they will coded students accordingly. 3. Questionnaires that are difficult to assess or need additional review will be assessed by district Homeless Liaison and they will code students. 4. All Questionnaires will be keep in at-risk folder or cumulative folder. 5. All Questionnaires will be revisited every school year.

III.

Eligibility of Homeless Students for Title I Services

Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Sec. 1115(b)(2)(E); 20 U.S.C. 6315(b)(2)(E): A child or youth that is homeless and is attending Mullin Independent School District is automatically eligible for Title I homeless services, regardless of their current academic performance. There is no need to restrict the use of Title I set-asides to non-Title I schools. IV.

School of Origin

Mullin Independent School District must keep homeless students in their schools of origin, to the extent feasible, unless it is against the parent or guardian’s wishes. Students are permitted to remain in their schools of origin for the duration of their homelessness or until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing. “School of Origin” is defined as the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled. Therefore, the law requires that we do what is in the best interest of the child, including keeping a child in the school of origin, to the extent feasible unless it is against the parent’s or guardian’s wishes. In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the Campus and/or District Homeless liaison will assist with the placement and enrollment of the youth, and must take the youth’s wishes into account. V.

Written Explanation of the Denial of School Selection

District Homeless Liaison must provide a written explanation of the decision and the right to appeal if a student is sent to a school other than that requested by a parent or guardian, or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, at the request of the District Homeless Liaison. The choice regarding placement shall be made regardless of whether the child or youth lives with the homeless parents or has been temporarily placed elsewhere. VI.

Immediate Enrollment of Students

Mullin Independent School District will ensure immediate enrollment of students in homeless situations. Mullin Independent School District will enroll students even if they do not have required documents, such as school records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documents. Students will be allowed to attend classes and participate fully in school activities. VII.

Enrollment of Unaccompanied Youth and Notice of Appeal

The Campus and District Homeless Liaison or trained school staff must help unaccompanied youth choose and enroll in a school after considering the youth’s wishes, and provide youth with notice of their right to appeal an enrollment decision that is not their choice. The Campus and District Homeless Liaisons must ensure that unaccompanied youth are immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of disputes that might arise over school enrollment or placement.

VIII.

Enrollment of Students Pending Resolution of Disputes

If a dispute arises over school selection or enrollment in a school, the child or youth shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute. The child, youth, parent, or guardian shall be referred to the Campus and District Homeless Liaison, who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible as in accordance with the Enrollment Disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act as follows: Work with the Campus Administration and the Campus and District Homeless Liaison to ensure that enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the enrollment disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act as follows: i. The child or youth shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the disputes; ii. The parent or the guardian of the child or youth shall be provided with a written explanation of the school’s decision regarding school selection or enrollment, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or youth to appeal the decision; iii. The child, youth, parent, or guardian shall be referred to the District Homeless Liaison, who shall carry out the dispute resolution process; iv. In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the District Homeless Liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of the dispute IX.

Coordination of Services

Mullin Independent School District shall coordinate the provision of services with local social services agencies and other agencies to minimize educational disruption for homeless children and youths who become homeless. This coordination shall be designed to ensure that homeless children and youths have access and reasonable proximity to available education and related support services such as: • Items of clothing, particularly if necessary to meet a school’s dress or uniform requirement. • Clothing and shoes necessary to participate in physical education classes. • Student fees that are necessary to participate in the general education program. • Personal school supplies such as backpacks and notebooks etc. • Birth certificates necessary to enroll in school. • Basic Dental and vision services. • Immunizations • And instructional aides. All homeless students have 30 days provisional enrollment to supply immunization records or begin the required course of immunizations. Provisional enrollment applies regardless if the student is enroll in school for the first time or is entering the district from out-out-state, or is entering the school for, out of the country. The 30 day provisional enrollment is counted from the time of enrollment in the current district. District Homeless Liaison must be notified when immunizations are lacking, and liaison must help student obtain them. Families may also receive referrals to agencies providing services to children, youth, and families in homeless situations through a variety of resources. Liaisons can provide local homeless listings of services available in the community for specific needs. A listing of all the homeless coalitions in Texas may be found on the Texas Homeless Network (THN) website at http://www.thn.org. Shelters for the homeless, food banks, community churches, welfare assistance programs, Texas Workforce Commission offices, and employment centers may also have information on community resources and referrals for persons experiencing homelessness.

X.

Comparable Services

Each homeless child or youth to be assisted shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in the school selected, including transportation services, educational services for which the child or youth meet the eligibility criteria (Title I homeless services, Head Start, Even Start, pre-school, educational programs for children with disabilities or for students with limited English proficiency), programs in vocational and technical education, programs for gifted and talented students and school nutrition programs, as needed. XI.

Transportation

Student’s experiencing homelessness have the right to receive transportation to and from their school of origin. If the student’s school or origin and temporary residence are in the same school district, this transportation is to be provided or arranged by the school district or origin. If the student is residing in one district and attending the school or origin in another, this transportation is to be provided or arranged as a joint effort between school districts. Steps in the transportation process 1. Identification of homeless student in need of transportation. 2. The students will be referred to District Homeless Liaison by submitting a copy of the student Residency Questionnaire. If SRQ has not been completed the District Homeless Liaison will initiate the form. 3. Once the SRQ is initiated the District Homeless Liaison will coordinate with Transportation Department. 4. MISD Transportation Department will make arrangements with the student’s temporary residence in that school district. 5. MISD Transportation Department will contact and inform District Homeless Liaison about the arrangements of the transportation services for the student. 6. Once transportation services have been put into place the District Homeless Liaison will contact the school counselor and the register clerk. XII.

Campus Homeless Liaison’s Role

Each campus will identify a Campus Homeless Liaison. Suggested positions from which to choose this person include school counselors, school social workers, parental involvement liaisons and school nurses. The Campus Homeless Liaison will work with the District Homeless Liaison to ensure that procedures are established and followed to provide each homeless student with a free and appropriate education. Campus Contacts: Mullin High School Mullin Elementary

Joe Branham - Principal Michelle Owings - PEIMS Clerk Suzanne Rush - Counselor

HOMELESS RESOURCES National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth

National Center for Homeless Education

National Coalition for the Homeless

National Law Center of Homelessness & Poverty

Texas Homeless Education Office

Texas Homeless Network

U.S. Department of Education Homeless Education Program

When you move, you should do the following: Contact the school district’s liaison (see the contact information below) for help in enrolling in a new school or arranging to continue in the school you have been attending. Contact the school and provide any information you think will assist the teachers in helping you adjust to new circumstances. Ask the local liaison, shelter staff, or a social worker from one of the agencies that is assisting you for help with clothing and supplies, if needed.

Do you lack a permanent physical address?

r Is younce e resid sing u or hortain? unce

Do yo a temu live at p addreorary ss?

You ca enroll n still in scho ol!

If you have questions about enrolling in school or need assistance with enrolling in school, contact: Your Local School District Liaison:

Whitney Barker 403 W. Bulldog Dr Mullin, Texas 76864 830-703-0822

TEXAS HOMELESS EDUCATION OFFICE The University of Texas at Austin | Charles A. Dana Center 2901 North IH 35, Room 2.220 | Austin, Texas 78722

800.446.3142 | www.utdanacenter.org /theo

Sponsored by the Charles A. Dana Center at The University of Texas at Austin, the Region 10 Education Service Center, and the Texas Education Agency.

800.446.3142

The Federal McKinney-Vento Act and Texas State Law guarantee that you can enroll in school if you live:

You may also:

Do you lack a permanent ? ss physical addre

in a shelter (family shelter, domestic violence shelter, youth shelter, or transitional living program);

continue to attend the school in which you were last enrolled, even if you have moved away from that school’s attendance zone or district;

in a motel, hotel, or weekly-rate housing;

receive transportation from your current residence back to your school of origin; qualify automatically for Child Nutrition Programs (Free and Reduced-Price Lunch and other district food programs);

in a house or an apartment with more than one family because of economic hardship or loss; in an abandoned building or a car, at a campground, or on the street; in temporary foster care or with an adult who is not your parent or legal guardian;

participate fully in all school activities and programs for which you are eligible; and contact the district liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process.

in substandard housing (no electricity, no water, and/or no heat); or

Helpful questions you can ask at your school to help you receive all the services you need:

with friends or family because you are a runaway or unaccompanied youth.

What transportation is available for me to stay in the same school? If I have to change schools, can someone help me transfer records quickly?

If you live in one of these situations, you do not need to provide: proof of residency; immunization records or a TB skin test result; birth certificate; school records; or legal guardianship papers

to enroll in school.

Yo u c enrolla n in

school !

Your Local School District Liaison: r u Are any tutoring services available for me? o Is ydence g i n res ousi n? If I need special education services, how long is or hcertai n the wait for testing? u

Are there special classes to benefit a talent I have? Are there sports, music, or other activities I can be a part of? How can I receive free meals at school? Are school supplies available? Will I be able to go on class field trips if I am unable to pay? How can I get a required school uniform if I cannot afford one?

Cuando cambia de residencia, debe hacer lo siguiente: Comunicarse con la persona asignada como el oficial de enlace con el distrito escolar (vea los datos de contacto al pie de esta página) para ayuda en inscribirse en una nueva escuela o para hacer los arreglos necesarios para que pueda seguir en la escuela donde había asistido. Comunicarse con la escuela y provee cualquier información que usted piensa será útil a los maestros para ayudarle hacer los ajustes a sus nuevas circunstancias. Pedir al oficial de enlace con el distrito, a los empleados del albergue u otro lugar donde están viviendo, o a los trabajadores sociales de las organizaciones que les están proporcionando ayuda asistencia con ropa y útiles escolares, si es necesario.

faltan e c a ¿Te hdireccióio una domicil e? de ent n a m per

encia ¿Es tu resaid n o habit caió ia v r ble? inseguro o

¿Vives en una dirección provisional?

¡Todavía puedes inscribirt e en la escuela !

Si tienes preguntas sobre tus derechos o cómo inscribirte en la escuela o si neccesitas ayuda para inscribirte en la escuela, comunícate con: Tu oficial de enlace con el distrito:

Whitney Barker 403 W Bulldog Dr. Mullin, Texas 76864 830-703-0822

TEXAS HOMELESS EDUCATION OFFICE

The University of Texas at Austin | Charles A. Dana Center 2901 North IH 35, Room 2.220 | Austin, Texas 78722

800.446.3142 | www.utdanacenter.org /theo

Patrocinado por el Charles A. Dana Center en The University of Texas at Austin, el Region 10 Education Service Center, y la Texas Education Agency.

800.446.3142

La ley federal de McKinney-Vento y las leyes estatales de Texas garantizan que puedes inscribirte en la escuela si vives en un albergue (centro de hospedaje familiar, refugio para víctimas de violencia doméstica, asilo para jóvenes); en un motel, hotel, o apartamento de renta por semana; compartiendo una vivienda con otra familia o algún pariente a causa de no poder encontrar alojamiento o por falta de recursos económicos; en un edificio abandonado, vehículo, parque, o en la calle al aire libre; con una madre o un padre de cría u otro adulto que no es tu padre o guardián legal; en una casa o vivienda sin electricidad, sin agua y/o sin calefacción; con amigos, parientes, o familia porque eres un jóven fugitivo o sin la companía de tus padres o guardián legal.

Si vives bajo una de estas condiciones, NO tienes que proporcionar a la escuela

¡Todav ía inscrib puedes irte en la escuel a!

prueba que vives en el distrito,

Puedes también:

¿Es tu residencia o habitación inseguro o variable?

Seguir asistiendo a la última escuela donde estabas inscrito, aunque hás cambiado de residencia o domicilio y estás afuera de la zona de asistencia para esa escuela o ese distrito escolar; Recibir servicios de transportación de tu domicilio actual a la escuela donde estabas asistiendo; Participar automáticamente de programas de nutrición y alimentación por parte del distrito; Participar de todos los programas y actividades escolares que se ofrecen a los demás estudiantes y a los cuales puedes ser admitido; y Comunicarte con el oficial de enlace con el distritopara ayudar en resolver cualquier desacuerdo que se presente durante el proceso de inscripción en la escuela.

Aquí tiene algunas preguntas que puede hacer en su escuela para asegurar que está recibiendo los servicios que necesita: ¿Hay transporte disponible para mí si permanezco en la misma escuela? ¿Si tengo que cambiar de escuela, podrá alguien ayudarme a transferir los datos y registros escolares con rapidez? ¿Hay servicios de tutela que puedo aprovechar? Si necesito educación especial, ¿cuánto tiempo tiengo que esperar para tomar el exámen?

certificado o datos de inmunizaciones,

¿Hay clases para desarrollar talentos especiales que tengo?

archivos o documentos escolares,

¿Hay clases de música, deportes u otras actividades en las que puedo participar?

certificado o acta de nacimiento, o

¿Puedo recibir comidas gratis en la escuela?

carta de poder, o

¿Hay provisiones y materiales escolares disponibles?

documentos de custodia

¿Podré participar en las salidas al campo con mis clases si no puedo pagar los gastos?

para inscribirte en la escuela.

¿Cómo puedo obtener uniformes o ropa requerida si no tengo los recursos para obtenerlos?

2016-2017 SY

STUDENT RESIDENCY QUESTIONNAIRE

The information on this form is required to meet the law known as the McKinney‐Vento Act 42 U.S.C. 11434a(2), which is also known as the Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act. The answers you give will help the school determine the services the student may be eligible to receive. Presenting a false record or falsifying records is an offense under Section 37.10, Penal code, and enrollment of the child under false documents subjects the person to liability for tuition or other costs. TEC Sec. 25.002(3)(d). Student Name:

Gender:

Birthdate:

Male

Female

Grade:

Check the box that best describes with whom the student resides. Parents Legal Guardians Caregivers who are not legal guardians (Examples: friends, relatives, etc) Other Name of person(s) with whom student resides: Address: City:

Zip: Cell Phone#:

Home Phone#: Current Housing Situation (check all that apply):

Living in a shelter: _______________________________ Living with more than one family in a house or apartment Living in a motel or hotel Moving from place to place / "couch surfing" Living in a car, park, campsite, or outside Living in a trailer park I mobile home Scattered Site Housing (HUD supplemented} Moving due to migrant work in fishing or agriculture Housing lacks running water and/or electricity Living in a structure not usually used for housing Type of structure: ___________________________ Un accompanied Youth?

Yes

No

Background Situation (check all that apply):

New to town Loss of employment Economic hardship / low earnings Evicted I kicked out House fire or other destruction Natural Disaster/ evacuation Domestic issue: _________________________ Migrant work in fishing or agriculture Awaiting placement in Foster Care I CPS custody Parent(s) involved in military deployment Recently released from incarceration Catastrophic illness I medical expenses I disability Other: ____________________________

Unaccompanied youth includes a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. This would include runaways living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, on the streets, or in other inadequate housing; children and youth denied housing by their families; school-age unwed mothers living in homes for unwed mothers because they have no other housing available, and students living with non-custodial relatives or friends without a parent or legal guardian.

Signature of Parent/Legal Guardian/Caregiver/Unaccompanied Student

Date

Liaison Signature (I certify the above qualifies for the CNP under provisions of McKinney -Vento Act.) Date

MULLIN ISD HOMELESS PROGRAM Student Transportation Request Form

To be completed by the district homeless liaison: Campus Name: Name of Student: Sex:

ID Number:

Male

Female

Date of Birth

Age:

Where is the student living? (Check one box) In a Motel In a Shelter Other

(please explain):

Provide transportation from: Home to School

Signature ________________________________

School to Home Residing location address: Residing location phone: Name of parent(s), legal guardian(s): Transportation requested by parent/guardian to comply with school of origin guidelines.

Signature of District Representative:

Date

*Mullin Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment. El Distrito escolar de Mullin no discrimina en base a raza, color, religion, sexo, nacionalidad, edad y/o discapacidad en sus programas, actividades, o empleo.