California Department of Educationand

Los Angeles Unified School District

NAEHCY ConferenceNAEHCY ConferenceNovember 2009

Title I and Homeless Education Program Collaboration:Title I and Homeless Education Program Collaboration:Bridging the GapsBridging the Gaps

Workshop Overview

This workshop will address: The importance of collaboration with Title I The importance of local educational

agency (LEA) and community engagement How to identify strategies to establish an

effective partnership and creative program services

Possible Program Funding Sources

Title I McKinney-Vento Assistance Grant General Fund Other Grants

Title I Regulations

NCLB, Title I, Part A, Title X, Part C, Education for Homeless Children and

Youth The LEA shall reserve Title I, Part A funds to

provide comparable services to homeless children that assist them to effectively take advantage of educational opportunities as provided to children in schools funded under Title I, Part A. This reservation requirement is not formula driven. The LEA shall reserve funds as are necessary to provide comparable services.

Title I Regulations (Cont.)

LEAs will demonstrate coordination with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Title X, Part C.

Title I Regulations (Cont.)

LEAs will adopt policies and practices to ensure that homeless children and youths are not stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their status as homeless.

Title I Regulations (Cont.)

LEAs will designate an appropriate staff person as a LEA liaison for homeless children and youths, who will fulfill his/her required duties and ensure equal access to a free, appropriate public education for homeless children and youths.

Title I Regulations (Cont.)

LEAs will adopt policies and practices to ensure that transportation is provided or arranged for homeless children and youths, at the request of the parent or guardian, to and from the school of origin for the duration of their homelessness.

Title I Reservation Set Aside

The reservation is not determined by a set formula

It is determined by the LEA, as appropriate

Varies by state

Examples of Set Aside Determinations

Method #1:

Identify homeless students’ needs and fund accordingly.

Method #2: Obtain count of homeless students, and multiply by Title I, Part A per-pupil allocation.

Examples of Set Aside Determinations (Cont.)

Method #3:

Reserve an amount of funds greater than or equal to the amount of your Mckinney-Vento subgrant request.

Method #4:Reserve a specific percentage based on your district’s poverty level or Title I, Part A allocation.

Consolidated Application

Allowable Uses for Homeless Education Set Asides

Provide academic support as well as non-academic support to homeless students in non-Title I schools

Provide activities other than direct instruction that promotes student achievement

Meet basic needs (clothing, supplies, health) of homeless students

Support homeless liaison position

Hire special teachers, aides, and tutors to provide supplemental instruction

Reach out to parents in homeless situations

Provide before-, after-school, or summer programs

Collect data on homeless students

Provide emergency food while the student is in school, including breakfast, lunch, and snacks

Allowable Uses for Homeless Education Set Asides (Cont.) Defray costs for medical, vision and dental expenses

Pay fees associated with obtaining birth certificates or immunizations

Pay the cost of General Education Development Test (GED) for homeless students

Pay the cost of GED for homeless parents

Provide transportation to and from after-school programs

Provide transportation to and from the school of origin after the child becomes permanently housed

Provide the cost of cap and gown to wear at graduation

Provide the cost of class projects or field trips

The Story of a Small Program

in a Large District

Los Angeles Unified School District Facts

710 total square miles Encompass 29 cities Over 885 K-12 school sites 1,081 total school sites including

alternative education settings 537 School-wide Title I schools 688,138 K-12 students 12,489 identified homeless students www.lausd.net

121

788

1006 10581128 1103

1009924 964

793

1381

827

547483

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

LAUSD Homeless Students by GradeJune 2009

PK K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Los Angeles Unified School District Facts (Cont.)

2562

6541

1222

2164

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Homeless Students by Nighttime ResidencyJune 2009

Shelters Dbld/Tripled Up Unsheltered Hotels/Motels

Los Angeles Unified School District Facts (Cont.)

Pre-Resolution Program

The LAUSD Homeless Education Program was established in 1988. From 1988-2006, one Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor position existed to address the needs of thousands of homeless youth.

Due to limited staffing, full compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was not feasible.

Program services were restricted to: Token distribution Data entry Limited resource referrals

Homeless Education Task Force

On October 28, 2005, a task force meeting was convened by a LAUSD School Board member to address the barriers to the academic success of homeless youth. Title I Coordinator was a participant.

Several community organizations, Board representatives, and district staff held a series of meetings and identified concerns including:

Lack of immediate enrollment and attendance Inability to enroll due to lack of paperwork Unequal access to school programs and services Inappropriate placement of special education

students Suspensions and non-attendance due to lack of

transportation or proper attire

Access For All Resolution

On January 24, 2006, the LAUSD School Board passed the “Access for All Resolution” pertaining to the educational rights of homeless students.

Key resolution provisions:

Expand the LAUSD Homeless Education Program

Establish a Homeless Collaborative to include district personnel, county agencies, community-based agencies, and parents and caregivers

Train local district and school site personnel regarding the educational rights of all homeless students

Identify and train the homeless education liaisons at the school sites and local districts

Provide update to the Board every 6 months

Title I and the Homeless Education Program

Ongoing Communication and Coordination

Relationship and trust building McKinney-Vento grant signature support Consolidated Application Title I ranking Review support each year to the Title I and

non-Title I schools School-wide Title I training Budget development Programmatic monitoring Share data reports, case counts, etc.

Community Outreach

Collaborative Efforts• Create a community collaborative or task force

▪ Involve district and school personnel (including Title I), school board members and city council persons

▪ Need the community to keep issue in front Media/ Public Relations

• Radio• Newspaper• Event announcements

Share news with district, school personnel, and community partners

Next Steps

Establish working relationship with Title I office Expand policy implementation Bring message to district staff, parents, and

community agencies Include or increase collaborative initiatives

resources on behalf of homeless youth and their families

Expand research for available funding sources Expand outreach efforts to parent organizations

Leanne M. Wheeler, ConsultantCalifornia Department of Education

Title I Accountability & Partnerships Office916-319-0383

Melissa Schoonmaker, CoordinatorLos Angeles Unified School District

Homeless Education Program213-765-2880

Contact Information