kids without homes: a school district responds ... their horror and amazement, these families are in...

Presentation for

Parents

Facilitator Guide

Kids Without Homes: A School District Responds

Purpose of this module: Awareness and Involvement

Primary Objectives:

• Raise awareness about and empathy for families and kids experiencing homelessness.

• Provide a general overview of McKinney-Vento key provisions • Emphasize educational rights of homeless students and assistance

available to them. • Encourage involvement, both as parents and volunteers. • Connect with homeless parents who may be at the meeting.

A Presentation for Parents

Preparation Notes Estimated Presentation Time: 40 minutes Preparation Prior to Workshop • Add your name, phone number(s), and email address on the Contact Information

slides in the PowerPoint presentation. • Obtain and provide local statistics/data that might include:

− Number of kids in poverty − Number of kids in single parent families − Number of kids living with grandparents − Number of kids receiving free school meals program benefits

• Data sources:

− Local School District − The Texas Homeless Education Office (THEO) at http://utdanacenter.org/theo/ − The Texas Homeless Network at http://www.thn.org − The Center for Public Policy Priorities at

http://www.cppp.org/products/fastfacts/index.html − The Texas Council on Family Violence at http://www.tcfv.org/ − The Texas Network of Youth Services at http://www.tnoys.org/

• Write notes for local statistics on pages 12-13 of this guide. • Optional: Create an overhead transparency or a PowerPoint slide showing local

statistics on poverty and homelessness. Insert the overhead or slide right after the Homeless Children in Texas overhead or slide.

• Make sure your equipment is in good working order! • Have plenty of business cards on hand. Equipment • Personal computer with PC projector to display PowerPoint presentation

or -- • Overhead projector to display overhead transparencies • Extension cord • Extra bulb for PC projector or overhead projector

Facilitator Notes

Handouts

Handout Title

Page in this Guide

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12.

Poverty in Texas ..........................................................................................Basic Information about Students Experiencing Homelessness .................The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ........................................What Parents Should Know about Their School District’s Homeless Education Liaison .......................................................................................Overview of Parent Rights Guide ...............................................................Quick Tips for Parents ................................................................................How You and Other Parents Can Make a Difference .................................Off to School in Texas (flyer) ....................................................................Free School Meals (flyer) ...........................................................................Application for BVS Certificate for School Admission, English ...............Application for BVS Certificate for School Admission, Spanish ...............Note-taking pages (printout of PowerPoint presentation, displaying 3 slides per page) .........................................................................................

41 43 45 47 49 51 53 59 61 63 65 after page 66

Icon Key

Cue Meaning

Handout to be introduced

Suggested narrative and accompanying slides

Note to facilitator

Facilitator Notes

Contact Information

• Name: Your name• Office Phone: Your phone• Other Phone: Your other phone• Email: Your email address

Homeless Education Liaison

A Presentationfor

Parents

Kids Without Homes:A School District

Responds

Cue What to Do or Say

TOPIC: OPENING REMARKS & OVERVIEW Display slide: Your contact information — name, phone

number(s), email address Introduction • Introduce yourself as your school district’s homeless education

liaison. • Welcome everyone. • Thank them for the opportunity to talk to them about the special

challenges, needs, and rights of homeless students in their school district.

• Advise them of the time allotted for this presentation. • Ask them to hold questions, if they can, until the end of the meeting. • Optional: Advise them that you will be available to talk about

questions and concerns, one-to-one, after the meeting.

Today (Tonight), I want to talk to you about a very sensitive and heart-rending subject. I want to tell you about the growing number of students — in our community, in our state and in our nation — who have no permanent address. In addition to the challenges that all kids typically face, young people experiencing homelessness must deal with survival concerns on a daily basis. As evening approaches, they may not know where they will be staying. Perhaps they will find temporary refuge on a friend’s couch or on a relative’s roll-out bed. Possibly on a park bench or in an abandoned building. Or they could find themselves in a run-down motel. Wherever they are staying, from night to night, they seldom have the resources they need to fend for themselves. How did these kids and their families fall into such dire straits?

(topic continued on page 7)

Facilitator Notes

Increasing Awareness

Could you -- orsomeone you know --

experience …• a natural disaster• a job cut-back or layoff• loss of sole wage-earner’s

income• a negative change to current

lifestyle



experience …• loss of health coverage and

other benefits• being routinely behind on

paying bills

• high balances on credit cards



experience …• inadequate health-care benefits

for a family member needinglong term care

• a family member’s addiction• wages that don’t keep up with

rising housing costs and taxes


TOPIC: OPENING REMARKS & OVERVIEW (continued)

Display: 1st of 3 slides: Questions to consider To get a feel for how easily families may become homeless, consider how you or someone you know might answer these questions: 1. Could you or anyone you know become victims of a natural disaster,

such as a tornado, hurricane, fire or flood? 2. Do you or anyone you know have a job that might be cut back as an

economic measure, or become obsolete because of technical advancements?

3. Does the family depend on the earnings of one wage earner? How

many people in the household must keep working in order to maintain the family’s current lifestyle?

Display: 2nd of 3 slides: Questions to consider 4. Does the family depend on one wage earner to ensure health coverage

and other benefits? 5. Is the family routinely behind on monthly bills and carrying high

balances on credit cards? Display: 3rd of 3 slides: Questions to consider 6. Whether working or not, does the family have long-term health care

benefits that would assist a family member in the event of a disabling accident or a major illness?

7. Is anyone in the family struggling with an addiction to alcohol or

drugs? 8. Are housing costs and property taxes where they are living increasing

faster than wages? As we consider how more and more families are answering these questions, it’s important to understand that the face of homelessness is changing in America.


Facilitator Notes

Stereotypes of Homelessness

Homelessness in Texas

Poverty is most common in families that rely on a single mother’s income

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CA NY TX FL PA U.S.

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Overview

Effects of poverty and homelessnesson children in our state and ourcommunityThe McKinney-Vento HomelessAssistance Act Ways to ease life for our homelessstudents

Major Topics


TOPIC: OPENING REMARKS & OVERVIEW (continued)

Display slide: Stereotypes of Homelessness • The face of homelessness is no longer only the war veteran who has

not been able to successfully re-enter society. • The face of homelessness is no longer only the stereotypical alcoholic

or drug addict who has hit rock bottom. • Nor is it only the person who has been discharged from an

overcrowded mental institution with a prescription he can’t afford. Display slide: Homelessness in Texas — bar chart In fact, the fastest growing homeless population in America is the family. Statistically, families whose income depends entirely on single mothers are particularly vulnerable. Many of these families are living at or near the national poverty level, which often means they cannot find affordable housing. But these aren’t the only families that are now experiencing homelessness. Display slide: Photo of “middle class” mother and kids We are also talking about families that, just a month or two ago, were enjoying what most of us would consider a middle-class lifestyle. Display slide: Photo of people in area with concrete floor and gates with bars To their horror and amazement, these families are in homeless situations because one or both breadwinners lost their jobs. Display slide: Overview — Major Topics In the rest of our time together, we’re going to talk about the effects of poverty and homelessness on young people here in Texas. We’ll also talk about the laws that define and protect their rights. And we’ll look at things you, as parents can do, to ease their lives until they can, once again, find permanent housing.

Facilitator Notes

Homeless Children in Texas

Current Estimate

140,000+


TOPIC: POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS IN TEXAS

AND IN OUR COMMUNITY

Poverty in Texas (pages 41-42 in this guide) Introduce Poverty in Texas handout.

Statewide Statistics If you’ll turn to your Poverty in Texas handout, you’ll see that the statistics for poverty and homelessness in Texas are staggering. Display slide: Homeless Children in Texas — Texas map with current estimate of 140,000+ Current statistics estimate that over 140,000 students in our state are experiencing homelessness at some time during the school year.


This topic includes two subtopics: • Statewide Statistics • Local Statistics

To present the data you’ve gathered, you might want to use phrases like this:

• (Source for data) tells us that (#) of our kids are living in poverty. • (Source for data) indicates that we have (#) children living in

single-parent families. • (Source of data) reveals that (#) kids are living with their

grandparents or other relatives. • (Source of data) finds that (#) students are receiving free school

meals program benefits. Slides to be displayed: _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Facilitator Notes on Local Statistics


TOPIC: POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS IN TEXAS

AND IN OUR COMMUNITY (continued)

Local Statistics

On a local level, current statistics indicate that we have people experiencing homelessness right here in our own community. Provide data from your notes.

Facilitator Notes

• Common problems• Effects of poverty and homelessness• Emotional and social difficulties

Life is difficult for our homeless students


The McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act says that children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are homeless

Federal Law

defines and protects the rights of homeless students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our public schools

The McKinney-VentoHomeless Assistance Act


TOPIC: BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENTS

EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

Basic Information about Students Experiencing Homelessness (pages 43-44 in this guide) Introduce Basic Information about Students Experiencing Homelessness handout. Display slide: Federal Law — The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Fortunately for our kids in homeless situations, we have laws to protect their rights to enroll in, attend, and succeed in our schools. On a national level, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act has numerous provisions. Your next handout, Basic Information about Students Experiencing Homelessness, defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Display slide: McKinney-Vento definition of “homelessness” This definition includes young people who have left home for a variety of reasons. Perhaps what is most surprising is that the law considers kids to be experiencing homelessness when they are living doubled up with other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason. Display slide: Increasing Awareness — Life is difficult for our homeless students Your handout also includes important information about: • Common Problems Homeless Students Face • The Effects of Homelessness and Poverty on Students • Emotional and Social Difficulties For now, because we have so much to cover, we need to move on to the key provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Facilitator Notes


• Immediate Enrollment

Key Provisions of the Law

• Choice of Schools• Transportation• Services• Dispute Resolution


TOPIC: THE McKINNEY-VENTO ACT

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (pages 45-46 in this guide)

Introduce The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act handout. Display slide: The McKinney-Vento Act — Key Provisions Your next handout, The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, begins with five federally mandated provisions that specify and protect the rights of young people in homeless situations. Please take a moment to read these provisions and then we’ll discuss them. Pause to give parents time to scan the provisions.

The handout covers four topics: 1. Highlights of the Act’s Key Provisions 2. Texas Education Code 3. What McKinney-Vento Means for Parents in

Temporary Living Situations 4. Title I Funds

Facilitator Notes


• Immediate Enrollment

Key Provisions of the Law

• Choice of Schools• Transportation• Services• Dispute Resolution



Highlights of the Act’s Key Provisions 1. The Immediate Enrollment provision helps to get our homeless

students in school right away so that they can begin to enjoy the same educational benefits as other kids.

2. The Choice of Schools provision addresses the fact that students

whose situation causes them to move around a lot need as much stability in their lives as possible.

Statistics show that these students do better, emotionally and academically, if they remain in one school. In the law, this is referred to as the “school of origin,” which is the school they were attending when they became homeless or the school where they were last enrolled.

3. The law’s Transportation provision says that students in highly mobile or homeless situations are entitled to transportation to the school of origin if it is feasible, in the student’s best interests, and requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth.

4. One of the most hopeful provisions of the law has to do with Services.

Often students experiencing homelessness need tutoring because of challenging educational problems that often accompany homelessness. And because poverty often goes hand in hand with homelessness, these students are eligible for Title I funds set aside to provide necessities such as school supplies, clothing, and basic hygiene items.

5. Finally, the law specifies that there is a Dispute Resolution procedure in which I, as your school district’s homeless liaison, play an important role.

Facilitator Notes

Texas Education Code

specifies that a student who is homeless is entitled to admission in any Texas school district

Chapter 25 of the Texas Education Code

The entire Code is available online athttp://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm


TOPIC: TEXAS EDUCATION CODE

Texas Education Code Display slide: Texas Education Code — Chapter 25 For those of you who would like to know what the laws in Texas have to say about the rights of children experiencing homelessness, you can access the Texas Education Code online at http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm In particular, you’ll want to look at Chapter 25 because it includes many provisions that directly impact students experiencing homelessness. For now, what you need to know is that the Texas Education Code supplements and supports The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in addressing the educational rights of our highly mobile students.

In a nutshell, it says that a person who is homeless is entitled to admission in any Texas school district.

Now let’s turn our attention back to what the McKinney-Vento Act means for our families in homeless situations.

Facilitator Notes


• Attend their school of choice

For homeless parents, the law means their children have the right to:

• Enroll immediately withoutdocumentation

• Receive Title I assistance• Receive free school meals



What McKinney-Vento Means for Parents in Temporary Living Situations

Display slide: What the law means for homeless parents and their children The second page of your handout gives you a quick summary of what McKinney-Vento means for parents in temporary living situations. Specifically, they need to be aware that:

• students experiencing homelessness have the right to stay in their school of origin, if that is feasible and requested by a parent or legal guardian

• no documents are required for immediate enrollment • students in homeless situations are eligible for Title I assistance

and the school’s free meals program

Facilitator Notes


School districts must set aside a portion of Title I funds to assist students in homeless situations

Title I Funds



Title I Funds Display slide: Title I Funds Page 2 of your handout also shows ways in which Title I funds that are set-aside for students experiencing homelessness may be used to help those students. As I mentioned before, Title I funds may also be used to help with school supplies, clothing, and basic hygiene items. When all other available resources are exhausted, Title I funds can provide counseling services to help students deal with the chronic stress of homelessness.

Facilitator Notes

The Homeless Education Liaison

• every school district isrequired to have a homelesseducation liaison

The McKinney-Vento Act mandates that . . .

• the liaison is required toperform specific tasks


TOPIC: HOMELESS EDUCATION LIAISON

What Parents Should Know about Their School District’s Homeless Education Liaison (page 47 in this guide) Introduce What Parents Should Know about Their School District’s Homeless Education Liaison handout. Display slide: The Homeless Education Liaison Your next handout, What Parents Should Know about Their School District’s Homeless Education Liaison, describes my job. In short, I am advocate and an expediter. Every day, I work with students and their families who are experiencing homelessness to get those students in school without delay and to link them to available resources at school and in the larger community. Some of my tasks are mandated by federal law. But all of them are equally important because families and kids in homeless situations need assistance in a wide variety of ways. If you know anyone who could benefit from my services, I hope you will encourage them to contact me.

Facilitator Notes

Resources for Parents

• General Provisions

• Classes / Activities / Programs

Parent Rights Guide

published byThe Texas Education Agency


TOPIC: PARENT RIGHTS GUIDE

Overview of TEA’s Parent Rights Guide (page 49 in this guide) Introduce Overview of TEA’s Parent Rights Guide handout. I’ve included the next handout, Overview of TEA’s Parent Rights Guide, because everyone here should know their rights as parents of students here in Texas. Display slide: Resources for Parents — Parent Rights Guide The table of contents gives you a good bird’s eye view of the topics covered. The guide is available in both English and Spanish at the website shown on your handout (http://www.tea.state.tx.us/parent_inv/prights.pdf). Or you can get a copy by contacting:

Texas Education Agency 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas, 78701 (512) 463-9734

Facilitator Notes

Resources for Parents

• Educational rights• School and health records• High expectations for your child• Question school staff

Quick Tips


TOPIC: QUICK TIPS FOR PARENTS

Quick Tips for Parents (page 51 in this guide) Introduce Quick Tips for Parents handout. Display slide: Resources for Parents — Quick Tips Your next handout, Quick Tips for Parents, is a useful guide not only for parents who are in temporary living situations but for any parent who wants to make sure his or her child is benefiting fully from the programs available at school. I would encourage you to review this information when you are at home.

Facilitator Notes

Assisting Our Homeless Students

• Contribute• Volunteer• Advocate• Educate

can make a difference!You


TOPIC: HOW PARENTS CAN HELP

How You and Other Parents Can Make a Difference (pages 53-58 in this guide) Introduce How You and Other Parents Can Make a Difference handout. Let’s take a look at your next handout, How You and Other Parents Can Make a Difference. Display slide: Assisting Our Homeless Students — You Can Make a Difference! After everything we’ve discussed here, I know you must be wondering what you and other parents can do to make a positive difference in the lives of our kids who have no permanent address. As you can see on the list, you can: • Contribute • Volunteer • Advocate • Continue to educate yourselves, your family and the community In this handout, you’ll find a wealth of ideas about how to become involved. The important thing is to become involved. Of course, financial contributions are always welcome. But, in terms of personal satisfaction, consider how you might offer your time, your energy, and your caring.

Facilitator Notes

Additional Handouts

• Application for BVS Certificatefor School Admission (English)

• Application for BVS CertificateSchool Admission (Spanish)

• Off to School in Texas• Free School Meals


TOPIC: ADDITIONAL HANDOUTS

1. Application for BVS Certificate for School Admission, English (pages 59-60)

2. Application for BVS Certificate for School Admission, Spanish (pages 61-62)

3. Off to School in Texas flyer (pages 63-64) 4. Free School Meals flyer (pages 65-66) Introduce handouts. Display slide: Additional Handouts Your next handouts are English and Spanish versions of an application for a Bureau of Vital Statistics Certificate for School Admission. The BVS Certificate is available only to families in low-income situations when they don’t have a birth certificate for a child born in Texas. Please note that the BVS certificate is not an actual birth certificate. It is an official document that verifies the student’s date and place of birth in Texas for school purposes. Your last two handouts — Off to School in Texas and Free School Meals — are self-explanatory.

Facilitator Notes

Contact Information

• Name: Your name• Office Phone: Your phone• Other Phone: Your other phone• Email: Your email address

Homeless Education Liaison


TOPIC: SUMMARY & CLOSING REMARKS Display a series of two slides with ONE click. The first slide —

a photo of children trying to study in crowded bedroom — will display for two seconds, then automatically transition to the second slide — a photo of people in a positive environment. Before we bring this session to an end, I want to thank you for being here. I know you are here because you are actively interested in the rights of all children in Texas to receive a quality education. I would strongly encourage you to give a close and thoughtful look at your handout that lists specific ways that you and other parents can assist students in homeless situations. It’s important to know that no one person has to do it alone. That is why I hope you will discuss these opportunities with your family, your friends, your neighbors, people at your house of worship, and members of any social or service organizations to which you belong. Your collaborative efforts can make a huge difference in the lives of our families in homeless situations. You will also be helping our larger community by reducing the negative socioeconomic impact of young people who never finish school for a variety of reasons. Display slide: Your contact information — name, phone number(s), email address Finally, I want to encourage you to contact me if I can assist you or anyone you know, or you would like to talk about specific ways that you can assist our kids. Optional: If you have any questions or concerns about anything I’ve discussed here, I’ll be available after this meeting to talk with you one-on-one. Thank you so much for being here!

This page is intentionally blank.

Copies of Handouts for

Parents

Handout, Parents

Poverty in Texas Definition of Poverty (2003): Currently, the federal Department of Health and Human Services has issued the following poverty guidelines for the continental US:

Family Size Income One person $8,980 Two $12,120 Three $15,260 Four $18,400

SOURCE: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/03poverty.htm How Many Texans are Poor? In 2002, an estimated 3.4 million people in Texas lived in families with incomes below the federal poverty guidelines. The poverty rate in Texas is 15.6 percent overall according to the latest national estimates. The U.S. average is 12.1% (34.6 million people). The Texas rate is 7th highest in the nation, after Arkansas (19.8%), Mississippi (18.4%), New Mexico (17.9%), Louisiana (17.5%), the District of Columbia (17.0%), and West Virginia (16.8%). SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, March Current Population Survey, 2003 Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

Poverty by Age Group (2002): * Under 18: 22.0% (1.3 million) * 18 to 64: 12.8% (1.7 million) * 65 and over: 15.4% (328,000) SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, March Current Population Survey, 2003 Annual Social and Economic Supplement.

Handout, Parents

In Texas, by County (2001-02) The most populous counties in Texas have the following estimated poverty populations:

County Estimated Poverty Rate Total Poor Harris 14.6 512,131 Dallas 15.2 341,573 Tarrant 11.6 173,307 Bexar 15.6 219,384 El Paso 26.7 182,362 Hidalgo 36.2 220,153 Collin 5.2 28,967 Denton 7.3 34,869 Fort Bend 7.2 28,285 Cameron 34.8 121,577 Montgomery 7.4 24,007 Nueces 23.1 71,233 Williamson 5.7 16,323 Galveston 12.8 32,846 STATE AVERAGE 15.6% 3.3 million Several other Texas counties have poverty rates of 35% or more, and the Starr-Zapata county area has a poverty rate of almost 50%. SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of the Census, American Community Survey, 2002 Profiles. Working, but Poor Most poor families with children in Texas are working families. Of the 513,000 families with children below poverty in the late 1990s, 81 percent—415,000—are headed by a worker. A family is considered “worker-headed” if either the head-of-household or spouse worked at some point during the year. These families worked, on average, 45 weeks per year. Approximately 1.7 million people, 943,000 of whom are children, live in these working-poor families. Almost half of these families (48 percent) include a full-time, year-round worker. “Full-time, year-round” work is defined as 50 or more weeks of work per year for at least 35 hours per week. Low wages in many of the growth sectors of the state’s economy contribute to Texas ’ large working poor population. SOURCE: Tabulations by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities of 1997-99 data, from U.S. Census Bureau’s March Current Population Surveys for 1998-2000, in Poverty Despite Work Handbook, Third Edition, August 2001.

Handout, Parents

Basic Information about Students Experiencing Homelessness Definition The law defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Typically, they often move—sometimes daily—from place to place. This definition includes young people who have left home for a variety of reasons. These “unaccompanied youth” include young people who have run away from home, been thrown out of their homes, or been abandoned by parents. Young people experiencing homelessness live: • in shared housing with other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a

similar reason. When families “double up” because one family is experiencing financial hardship, that family is considered homeless.

• in motels, hotels, or camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations

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

• in emergency or transitional shelters • in hospitals where they were abandoned • in foster care homes awaiting placement

The Difficult Life of Students in Homeless Situations

Common Problems Homeless Students Face • Family mobility due to housing instability • Frequent change of schools • Loss of friends due to mobility and lack of transportation • Overcrowded living conditions with lack of privacy • Uncertainty in daily living • No space to play • No place to study or be alone • Lack of basic resources • Inability to complete assignments requiring special materials, supplies, or other items

that must be purchased • Possible loss of parents, siblings, or other close family members • Loss of personal possessions and pets The Effects of Homelessness and Poverty on Students Students living in homeless situations are more likely to experience: • lags in language skills • learning disabilities • attention deficit disorder • developmental delays

Handout, Parents

Due to social and emotional stresses, students experiencing homelessness are more likely than their peers to exhibit: • Anxiety • Withdrawal • Depression • Restlessness • Hyperactivity • Aggressive Behavior • Inappropriate acting out

• Immature peer interaction • Inappropriate social interaction with adults • School behavior problems • Regressive behavior / inattentiveness • Persistent tiredness / sleep disorders • Immature motor behavior

http://www.serve.org/nche/QIEdNeed.htm Emotional and Social Difficulties Caused by Homelessness • Because students without homes are frequently embarrassed by their situation, they

are reluctant to make friends or participate in class discussions or other activities. In short, they do not want to call attention to themselves or their living arrangements.

• Students who are experiencing homelessness often feel isolated by their situation. They may be living in a car, in a tent, in an abandoned building, in a motel, or in another nontraditional setting where there are few other people, especially young people.

• Often, children and youth in precarious housing situations become close to someone, such as a peer or a teacher, only to be yanked away from that person at a moment’s notice. They become reluctant to make friends or develop relationships with others.

• Students without homes often suffer at the hands of students in permanent and stable housing arrangements when disparaging remarks are made about clothing, personal hygiene, or living conditions.

• Students who have been exposed to violent living situations may act aggressively and may not understand how to resolve disputes peacefully.

• Students with free or reduced-cost meal plans are often embarrassed if their meal tickets are distinguishable from other tickets. Their privacy should be protected so that other students and food service personnel cannot cause them undue embarrassment.

• Students in homeless situations usually cannot afford to purchase basic school supplies, such as paper, notebooks, crayons, scissors, physical education clothing, and so forth.

• Students may be embarrassed or feel stigmatized if they are given a standard packet of supplies and materials that can be recognized as that given to students who are economically disadvantaged.

• Students in homeless situations may not have access to mental health counseling that could assist them in dealing with stresses caused by homelessness.

Adapted from: James, B., et. al. (1997). Pieces of the Puzzle: Creating Success for Students in Homeless Situations. Austin: University of Texas.

Handout, Parents

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act The Act’s Key Provisions The McKinney-Vento Act of 2001 specifies and protects the rights of children and youth in homeless situations. Highlights include:

1. Immediate Enrollment -The right to be enrolled immediately in school, without

medical or academic records, regardless of district policy. 2. Choice of Schools –A student experiencing homelessness has two choices in deciding

which school to attend:

• The school of origin (the school the student attended when he/she became homeless or the school the student last attended)

— or — • The school in the zone where the student is currently residing

3. Transportation – Students in highly mobile or homeless situations are entitled to

transportation to the school of origin if it is feasible, in the student’s best interests, and requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth.

4. Services – Students experiencing homelessness are entitled to the same services, such

as tutoring, that are available to other children in their districts. They are also automatically eligible for Title I services. Districts must set aside funds as necessary to provide services.

5. Dispute Resolution - If problems arise between the school and parents or between

districts, the parent shall be referred to the school’s homeless liaison. In the meantime, the student must remain in school and receive transportation.

To see primary source quotes of federal and state laws regarding the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness, go to: http://www.utdanacenter.org/theo/pdffiles/RP12_LegalCitations_RevNov02.pdf

TEXAS EDUCATION CODE

Texas Education Code §25.001(b)(5) entitles a student defined as “homeless” under Federal law to school admission regardless of the residence of the student, of either of the student’s parents, or the student’s legal guardian. Therefore, a student who is homeless is entitled to admission in any Texas school district. The complete Texas Education Code is online at: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm Chapter 25 has specific laws relating to the rights of children in homeless situations.

Handout, Parents

What McKinney-Vento Means for Parents in Temporary Living Situations

• Your child has the right to stay in their school of origin, if feasible, or to enroll in another school immediately, even if he or she does not have documents, such as school records, medical records, proof of residency, birth certificate, etc.

• Your child can attend classes and participate fully in school activities. • Your child is eligible for the school’s free meals program. • Title I funds are available to help your child.

Title I Funds The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 rewrote the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which sets the terms for many federal K-12 programs. The overall purpose of ESEA’s Title I is to improve academic achievement for disadvantaged students. Title I funds may be used for: • helping students at risk of failing achieve high state standards • examples of services may include:

− extended days/learning opportunities − homework clubs − Saturday schools − early morning tutoring − summer inter-sessions − summer academic camps

• coordination of services with shelters or other homeless service providers as appropriate

• teacher training on strategies for assisting homeless students, sensitivity to issues, confidentiality

• supplies for class and homework, paper, pencils, notebooks, book bags, locks for lockers, uniforms, basic hygiene supplies, laminated copies of school records for portability

• homeless student coordination services • counseling/case management services to help students deal with chronic stress of

homelessness when all other available resources are exhausted

Handout, Parents

What Parents Should Know about Their School District’s Homeless Education Liaison

More than any other single individual in your school district, the homeless education liaison is in the position to help break the cycle of homelessness. Your liaison links children and families to vital services, and helps to provide some stability for these students whose lives may be in turmoil. To do this, the liaison must work collaboratively with other school staff to: • identify children and youth in homeless situations • fully inform parents of the enrollment options and educational opportunities available

to their children • provide, as needed, access to special programs

− Special Education − Head Start − Gifted and Talented − Even Start − Programs for English Language Learners

• make Title I funds available, as needed. These funds may be used for: − helping students at risk of failing achieve high state standards − examples of services may include:

- extended days/learning opportunities - homework clubs - Saturday schools - early morning tutoring - summer inter-sessions - summer academic camps

− coordination of services with shelters or other homeless service providers as appropriate

− teacher training on strategies for assisting homeless students, sensitivity to issues, confidentiality

− supplies for class and homework, paper, pencils, notebooks, book bags, locks for lockers, uniforms, basic hygiene supplies, laminated copies of school records for portability

− homeless student coordination services − counseling/case management services to help students deal with chronic stress

of homelessness when all other available resources are exhausted • arrange free meals without the student or parents having to fill out any paperwork • help arrange transportation to school of origin, if student chooses to attend school of

origin and it is feasible for the student • display notices in every public school explaining the educational rights of children

and youth experiencing homelessness • coordinate and collaborate with school and community resources

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Handout, Parents

Overview of TEA’s Parent Rights Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS I. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING PARENT RIGHTS

TEC§1.022, Equal Educational Services or Opportunities TEC Chapter 26, Parent Rights and Responsibilities §26.001, Purpose §26.002, Definition §26.003, Rights Concerning Academic Programs §26.004, Access to Student Records §26.005, Access to State Assessments §26.006, Access to Teaching Materials §26.007, Access to Board Meetings §26.008, Right to Full Information Concerning Student §26.009, Consent Required for Certain Activities §26.010, Exemption From Instruction §26.011, Complaints §26.012, Fee for Copies

II. PARENT RIGHTS: CLASSES/ACTIVITIES/PROGRAMS

Appeals Charter Schools Student Enrollment/Admissions Student Attendance Bilingual Education/English as a Second Language Student Assessment/TAAS/TAKS Retention/Promotion Site-Based Decision Making Student Discipline Parent Notifications Public Education Grant Program Special Education Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

This bilingual guide is available on line at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/parent_inv/prights.pdf Copies may also be obtained from:

Texas Education Agency 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, Texas, 78701 (512) 463-9734

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Quick Tips for Parents • Know your educational rights.

− Enroll your child in school. You can enroll your child even if you are missing immunization records, school records, and proof of residency.

− Let the school know where you want the child to attend school. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act gives your child the right to stay at the current school even if the family’s homeless situation means you are no longer in the attendance zone. The school is called the “school of origin.” School districts must let students stay there, to the extent feasible. Your child also may attend the school in the attendance area where you are currently living.

• Keep copies of critical records such as immunizations, Social Security number, health

physicals, and individualized education programs (IEPs). Ask someone you trust to keep a set of records for you if your current living arrangements make this difficult.

• Maintain high expectations for your child. • Ask questions, such as the following:

− Is transportation available for my child to stay in the same school? − Will someone help us transfer records quickly when we move? − Is there a pre-school program? − Is there a summer school program? − Are there any special classes that would benefit a talent my child has? − Should my child be tested for special education? − Are there sports, music, or other activities in which my child can participate? − Can my child receive free meals at school? − Are school supplies available? − Will my child be able to go on field trips even if we are unable to pay? − Are there after-school study halls or tutoring available? − Are special counseling services available for my child?

http://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/Appendices%20H-M.pdf

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Handout, Parents

How You and Others Parents Can Make a Difference • Clothing

The lack of clean, well-fitting clothes and shoes causes great hardship beyond exposure to the elements–it hurts one's self-image and one's chance to get ahead. People experiencing homelessness must travel light, with few opportunities to safely store or adequately clean what they can't carry. On job interviews, a poorly dressed person has little chance for success. Give your clean clothes to those who could use them. Before you give your own clothes or start a clothing drive, talk to your local shelter and find out what items they really need. Most have limited storage space, and can't use winter clothes in summer or vice versa. Some serve only a certain group of people. Please clean the clothes before you donate them.

• In-kind services and materials Service providers may be able to use copying, printing, food, transportation, marketing assistance, computer equipment and assistance, electrical work, building materials, plumbing, etc.

• Household goods or other items Service providers may need items such as kitchen utensils, furniture, books, toys, games, stuffed animals, dolls, diapers, etc.

• Books People experiencing homelessness may have limited access to a library and find that there is little for them to do when spending a night at a shelter. Find out if your local shelter would appreciate donations of books. Consider organizing a book drive to create a small library at the shelter if there is not already one there.

• Computers Many non-profit organizations have a difficult time purchasing expensive equipment such as computers. If you would like to donate a computer, make sure the machine you are donating is in good working order with reasonably up-to-date software. Check with the shelter to make sure they have space to set up public computers.

• Homeless "survival kits" Create and distribute kits that include items such as cups, pots, pans, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and cosmetics. (Try coordinating this through a group that gives out meals from a van, for example.) During cold weather, organize drives for blankets, coats, hats, scarves, mittens, socks, and the like.

• Phone calls Help people experiencing homelessness contact loved ones by offering the opportunity to make free, long distance calls on holidays.

• Job opportunities Encourage your company, school, or place of worship to hire people experiencing homelessness (if they are not already working). Most unemployed homeless adults desperately want to work, but need an employer to give them a chance.

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• Support for a homeless person or family As people move out of a shelter or transitional housing program, consider raising money to contribute for a security deposit, or assist by contributing household goods, babysitting, or moral support. See if your local shelter has a partnering program.

• Raise funds for a program Ask your group to abstain from one meal and donate the proceeds to a shelter or soup kitchen. Sponsor a benefit concert or coffee house featuring local musicians and poets (Don’t forget to include homeless and formerly homeless performers!). Organize a walk-a-thon or a yard sale and donate the proceeds.

• Consider giving directly to people experiencing homelessness Deciding whether or not to give to panhandlers is a personal decision. Some may not give money out of fear that it may be spent supporting an addiction. Although this is occasionally true, the money also may help someone buy a meal, afford housing, buy clothes, purchase an ID to stay in a shelter, pay for transportation to a job, childcare, healthcare, support a family member–the possibilities are numerous. In some cases, instead of giving money, people carry gift certificates to restaurants or granola bars, peanut butter crackers, sandwiches, or fruit to give to homeless people.

• Help build or fix up houses or shelters

Check with your local public housing authority, or find the nearest chapter of Habitat for Humanity by calling (800) 422-4828 or visiting (http://www.habitat.org).

• Offer professional skills directly or assist in job training Direct service providers may be able to use many services and skills, including secretarial, catering, plumbing, accounting, management, carpentry, public relations, fundraising, legal, medical, dentistry, writing, child care, counseling, tutoring, or mentoring.

• Share hobbies Teach your hobbies to a group of people staying at a homeless shelter. Ask them about their hobbies and invite them teach you.

• Invite people experiencing homelessness to a no-cost community event Invite people who are experiencing homelessness to a worship service, public concert or picnic, city council meeting, etc.

• Organize an event at a shelter Plan an evening program such as a board game or chess night, an open mike poetry reading, a guest storytelling or musical performance, or a holiday party.

• Support the children Assist school staff who are coordinating events such as field trips, picnics or art workshops for children staying in homeless shelters. Find out if there are children who could benefit from tutors or mentors.

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• Work at a shelter Take an evening or overnight shift. Help with clerical work such as answering phones, typing, filing, or sorting mail. Serve food, wash dishes, or sort and distribute clothes.

• Involve others Encourage your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, church/synagogue members, and civic organizations to join you in becoming actively involved.

• Become more aware of your language

Try to minimize language in your own and others’ vocabularies that refers to people experiencing homelessness in derogatory ways. By using expressions such as "people experiencing homelessness" rather than labels such as "bum," "transient," or even "the homeless," we remind ourselves that people who are in such situations are still people first–just people who are going through a difficult period in their lives. In a time when they may find it difficult to hold onto their sense of humanity, it is particularly important that we do not use language that further diminishes the dignity of people in homeless situations.

• Smile Don’t look away from homeless people as if they do not exist. Making eye contact, saying a few words, or smiling (provided that it is a situation in which you feel comfortable doing so) can reaffirm the humanity of a person at a time when homelessness seems to have stripped it away. Most people will be glad simply to be acknowledged.

• Educate others You have a great capacity to educate not only yourself, but others as well. Friends, family, and people within your community will benefit greatly from a compassionate and informed point-of-view. As you learn more about the problem of homelessness, share what you find out with those around you. Opening up a dialogue is an essential first step we can all take in confronting this difficult problem.

• Take advantage of teachable moments When you see others behaving in insulting ways toward someone who is homeless, take advantage of the opportunity to share your compassionate and informed view on the difficult circumstances and obstacles facing people experiencing homelessness. You may be able to take the damaging arrow aimed at a person who is homeless and turn it into something constructive.

• Talk to children about homelessness For book lists, video suggestions, lesson plans, and teaching materials about homelessness, contact NCH at (202) 737-6444, or visit (http://www.nationalhomeless.org/fmn2001/education.html).

• Get connected to a coalition Volunteer at your local, state, or national housing or homeless advocacy coalition, or make a financial contribution to support their work. For the name of the coalition

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nearest you, see NCH's Directory of Homeless & Housing Advocacy Coalitions (http://www.nationalhomeless.org/state/).

• Respond to NCH's Legislative Alerts These alerts give the most up-to-date information about what is happening in Congress affecting homelessness and poverty on a national level, and what you can do about it. To receive or follow NCH’s legislative alerts, visit (http://www.nationalhomeless.org/alerts.html). Then write letters, call, or visit public officials at the city, county, state and federal levels asking what they are doing about homelessness and/or mentioning relevant legislation. When legislators receive more than a few visits or letters about any subject, they sit up and take notice. Personal visits are the most powerful; letters and phone calls are next. Tell them your feelings and experiences. Addresses for public officials are available at the local library or on the internet. For more information about communicating with Congress, see NCH's Advocacy Guide (http://www.nationalhomeless.org/advocate.html).

To call anyone in Congress: (202) 224-3121 (Capitol Switchboard) Letters to Members of Congress may be addressed as follows: The Honorable (First name Last name) United States Senate U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515

• Become actively involved in local politics Attend neighborhood and public meetings and speak up in favor of low-income housing, group homes, shelters, and homelessness prevention programs.

• Educate your leaders Organize site visits for political leaders and the media to visit local homeless programs to highlight ways that your community is successfully addressing the many problems associated with homelessness.

• Involve the media Call or write the media to inform them of your concern for people experiencing homelessness in your area. Write editorials when important issues related to homelessness arise in your community.

• Encourage those most directly involved to advocate Encourage people experiencing homelessness, agency volunteers, and staff to contact officials at all levels of government. Use opportunities like special holiday meals to do this–provide paper, pens, stamped envelopes, and sample messages at every meeting and event. Have a "Call In Day." Try getting a few people with cellular phones to go to shelters or meal programs to get people experiencing homelessness, volunteers, and staff to call the Governor (Mayor, Council Member...) asking them to stop future cuts in essential services. Create a "reverse panhandling" activity–get people experiencing homelessness and other volunteers to hand out quarters and ask people to call their legislators.

• Register people experiencing homelessness to vote The "You Don’t Need A Home to Vote" nonpartisan voter registration/education/get-out-the-vote campaign occurs nationwide each election cycle. Find out how you can lobby for a homeless voting rights written policy or law in your state. To learn more, visit http://www.nationalhomeless.org/voting.html.

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• Sponsor a Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week NCH and the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (NSCAHH) co-sponsor an Awareness Week every year during the first full week before Thanksgiving. Awareness weeks are organized in more than 500 campuses and communities nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.nationalhomeless.org/awareness.html.

• Organize a "Faces of Homelessness" panel Through NCH’s "Faces of Homelessness" panel presentations, the voices and faces of those who have experienced homelessness personalize the issue, dispel stereotypes, inspire involvement, and serve as a training, skill building, and empowerment tool for those who have experienced homelessness. Through a powerful video, emotional stories, and calls for action, these presentations are highly effective. To organize a "panel" in your community or to set up your own Homeless Speakers Bureau, contact NCH’s Speakers Bureau Coordinator by visiting http://www.nationalhomeless.org/faces.html.

• Support a local event recognizing National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day Every year, on or around the first day of winter (December 21), nearly 100 communities nationwide hold local memorial services to remember people who have died homeless during that year. Contact NCH to see if your community already participates in such an event. If no event is planned, NCH has an organizing manual to help you organize a memorial day in your community. More information available at: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/memorial96.html.

• Join the National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project NCH’s National Homeless Civil Rights Organizing Project (NHCROP) is organized at the grassroots level with nine regional field sites throughout the country. NHCROP tracks the growing trend of criminalizing homelessness, along with the recent increase in the number of hate crimes and violence against people experiencing homelessness. Local homeless activists are working to stop this trend by using litigation, lobbying, community organizing, documentation, and research. To learn more about your regional field site and/or to become a civil rights monitor in your area, visit http://www.nationalhomeless.org/nhcrop.html.

Continue to educate yourself, your family and your community • Visit the website for the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) at

http://www.nationalhomeless.org. You’ll find information on activities as well as links to sites dealing with homelessness across the country. NCH maintains updated Facts Sheets on many aspects of homelessness including causes, numbers, and special issues, which can be accessed at (http://www.nationalhomeless.org/facts.html). Read the Fact Sheets to familiarize yourself with the latest information, and then share what you learn with your community–your place of worship, school, colleagues, friends, neighbors, media, and elected officials.

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• Visit the following sites: − The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth:

http://www.naehy.org − The National Alliance to End Homelessness: http://www.naeh.org − The National Low Income Housing Coalition: http://www.nlihc.org − The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness:

http://www.nscahh.org − The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty: http://www.nlchp.org − Homes for the Homeless/Institute for Children and Poverty:

http://www.homesforthehomeless.com/hfh − The Better Homes Fund: http://thebetterhomesfund.org − Universal Living Wage Campaign: http://www.universallivingwage.org − For many other links related to homelessness:

http://csf.colorado.edu/homeless/index.html − To find out other ways to help homeless people:

http://earthsystems.org/ways/list.html

• Read Check out some of the many books published about homelessness in America. A few recommendations to get you started are listed below:

Reference: Helping America’s Homeless: Emergency Shelter or Affordable Housing? Martha Burt, Laudan K. Aron, & Edgar Lee, Urban Institute Press, 2001. (To order, call (202) 261-5687 or toll-free (877) 847-7377) Homelessness in America, Jim Baumhol ed., Oryx Press, 1996. (To order, call NCH at (202) 737-6444)

Narrative: Travels with Lizbeth, Lars Eighner, Fawcett Books, 1994. Tell Them Who I Am, Elliott Liebow The Free Press-a division of Macmillan, Inc., 1993. Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America, Jonathan Kozol, Random House, 1988.

Excerpts from NCH Fact Sheet # 16 Published by the National Coalition for the Homeless, 2001 http://www.nationalhomeless.org/help.html

APPLICATION FOR BVS CERTIFICATE FOR SCHOOL ADMISSION

SEND APPLICATION TO: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS 1100 WEST 49TH STREET AUSTIN, TX 78756-6191 PHONE (512) 458-7111

See reverse side for instructions.

1. Full Name of Child 2. Date of Birth 3. Sex: Male Female Month Day Year 4. Place of Birth TEXAS City County State 5. Full Name of Father 6. Full Maiden Name of Mother

PLEASE BE SURE TO FULLY COMPLETE APPLICATION

WARNING: IT IS AGAINST STATE LAW TO KNOWINGLY MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON THIS FORM.

I, , the legal custodial parent, or guardian, of the child identified above, hereby make application for a certificate for school purposes and that all fees and charges be waived as set out in Section 191.0046, Health and Safety Code, 1989. Signature of Applicant Date Identification Type (Attach photocopy) Drivers License, ID Card, etc. ID Number

It takes 2 weeks to process this application, please make sure you have access to the mailing address you provide below. 7. SEND CERTIFICATE TO: Name

Address

City, State Zip

If you have any questions about this form, please call the Texas Homeless Education Office at 1-800-446-3142.

Timothy L. Stahlke

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR A BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS

(BVS) CERTIFICATE FOR SCHOOL ADMISSION

In order to receive a BVS Certificate for school admission, each item on this application must be complete. It is very important that the information for item #6, the full maiden name of the mother is supplied. 1. Print the complete name of the child. 2. Print the child's birthday in month/day/year order. 3. Check the appropriate box (M for male, F for female) to indicate the sex of the child. 4. Print the name of the city and the county where the child was born. The BVS certificate for school

admission is only available for children born in Texas. 5. Print the name of the father. 6. Print the full maiden name of the mother. Do not omit the full maiden name of the mother.

This application cannot be processed without the full maiden name of the mother. The applicant must print his/her name on the line in the paragraph which follows item 6 on the form. The applicant must sign and date the application. The applicant must supply valid ID information. The application must print the type of ID being presented (driver's license, ID card, etc.) and print the ID number. The applicant must attach a copy of this ID to the application. 7. Print the name and mailing address of the person who is to receive the BVS certificate for school

admission. It takes at least 2 weeks to process this application, so please make sure that you have access to the mailing address you provide.

Please send the application and the photocopy of the applicant's ID to the following address:

Texas Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics

1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756-6191

Timothy L. Stahlke

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SOLICITUD PARA CERTIFICADO PARA ADMISION A LA ESCUELA (para niños nacidos en Texas)

ENVIE LA SOLICITUD A:

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS

1100 WEST 49TH STREET AUSTIN, TX 78756-6191 PHONE: (512) 458-7111

Vea el verso para instrucciones. 1. Nombre Completo del Niño_____________________________________________________ 2. Fecha de Nacimiento _______________________________________ 3. Sexo M F Mes Día Año 4. Lugar de Nacimiento_______________________________________________TEXAS Ciudad Condado Estado 5. Nombre Completo del Padre_____________________________________________________

6. Nombre Completo, como Soltera, de la Madre___________________________________________

POR FAVOR ASEGURESE DE LLENAR TODA LA SOLICITUD

AVISO: ES EN CONTRA DE LA LEY ESTATAL HACER FALSAS DECLARACIONES EN ESTA SOLICITUD.

Yo, __________________________________, el padre legal, o tutor (guardián), del niño identificado arriba, solicito en llenar este formulario un certificado de nacimiento para uso escolar y que todo costo y cobro se anula de acuerdo con la Sección 191.0046 del Código deSalud y Seguridad de 1989. __________________________________________________ ________________________ Firma del Solicitante Fecha

Clase de Identificación__________________________________ ________________________ (Copia adjunta) Licencia de Manejar, Tarjeta de Identificación, etc. Número de Identificación Toma en cuenta que se tarda dos semanas para procesar esta solicitud. El certificado será enviado a la direcciónque usted señala en seguida. Asegure usted tendrá acceso a su correspondencia en esta dirección cuando llega el certificado. 7. ENVIE EL CERTIFICADO A: Nombre _________________________________________ Dirección ________________________________________________________________________________________ Ciudad, Estado, Zona Postal _____________________________________________________________

Si tiene preguntas sobre esta solicitud, por favor llame al teléfono anotado arriba o a la Oficina para la Educación de Niños y Jóvenes Sin Hogar, teléfono 1-800-446-3142.

Timothy L. Stahlke

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INSTRUCCIONES PARA SOLICITAR UN CERTIFICADO PARA ADMISIÓN

A LA ESCUELA DE LA AGENCIA DE ESTADISTICAS DEMOGRAFICAS (Bureau of Vital Statistics)

Para poder recibir un Certificado BVS para admisión a la escuela, cada párrafo en esta solicitud deberá ser completado. Es muy importante que se proporcione la información para el párrafo #6 que pide el nombre completo de la madre cuando era soltera. 1. Escriba el nombre completo del niño. 2. Escriba la fecha de nacimiento del niño en el siguiente orden: mes/día/año. 3. Marque el espacio apropiado (M para masculino y F para femenino) para indicar el

sexo del niño. 4. Escriba el nombre de la ciudad y el condado donde nació el niño. El Certificado

BVS para admisión a la escuela está disponible solamente para niños nacidos en Texas.

5. Escriba el nombre del padre. 6. Escriba el nombre completo de soltera de la madre. No omita el nombre completo

de soltera de la madre. Esta solicitud no puede ser procesada sin tener el nombre completo de soltera de la madre.

El solicitante deberá escribir su nombre sobre la línea en el párrafo que sigue al número 6 en la forma. El solicitante deberá firmar y fechar la solicitud. El solicitante deberá proporcionar información válida de identificación. El solicitante deberá escribir la clase de identificación presentada (licencia de manejar, tarjeta de identificación, etc.) y escribir el número de esa identificación. El solicitante deberá adjuntar una copia de esta identificación. 7. Escriba el nombre y dirección de la persona que debe recibir el Certificado BVS para

admisión a la escuela. Se tarda cuando menos 2 semanas para procesar esta solicitud, así que asegúrese que usted tiene acceso a la dirección que esta proporcionando.

Favor de enviar la solicitud y la fotocopia de la identificación del solicitante a la siguiente dirección:

Texas Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics

1100 West 49th Street Austin, TX 78756-6191

Timothy L. Stahlke

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Children across Texas prepare to go to school every day -- to see their friends, learn from their teachers, and join in school activities. For many children and youth, getting ready for school is a time of excite-ment and anticipation. However, lack of housing creates difficulties for many

youngsters as they prepare for school. Children in homeless situations may need help to enroll in school and to re-ceive the support they need to succeed in school. Changes in federal law, the McKinney-Vento Act, that went into ef-fect in 2002, provide stronger rights and more resources for these vulnerable children than ever before. As homeless-ness continues to increase, so, too, do the needs of our children. Everyone -- students, teachers, community mem-bers, churches, civic groups -- has an important role to play. Here's how YOU can help:

1 Let your schools know about homelessness. Schools may be

unaware of the extent of homelessness among children, as well as the educational rights of children who are homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. Offer information

to your school administrators, principals, PTA, and others who work with students. A short fact sheet is available at www.utdanacenter.org/theo/pdffiles/

Administrators.pdf. Posters, which all schools are required to disseminate, are available at www.serve.org/nche/Products.htm. Visit the Texas Homeless Education Office website at www.utdanacenter.org/theo for information about Texas enrollment requirements.

2 Inform your community about homeless-ness and the educational rights of children

who are homeless, including shelter provid-ers, soup kitchens, public housing authorities,

...get in school, stay in school, and succeed in

school!

10 Things YOU Can

Do to Help Children

in Homeless Situations . . .

Off to school in Texas!

Texas Homeless Education Office

Toll free: 800-446-3142 Phone: 512-475-9702

2901 N IH 35, Room 2.200 Austin, Texas 78722

www.utdanacenter.org/theo

T E X A S H O M E L E S S E D U C A T I O N O F F I C E 8 0 0 - 4 4 6 - 3 1 4 2

low-cost motels, faith-based organizations, community action agencies, libraries, and wel-fare departments. You can provide these agen-cies with posters (see item #1 above) that help the families they serve know their educational rights and who to contact for help. A fact sheet for providers is also available at www.utdanacenter.org/theo/pdffiles/ServiceProviders.pdf.

3 Ask local businesses if they will post materi-als on the educational rights of children who

are homeless. Laundromats, convenience stores, libraries, video arcades, and other busi-nesses may be ideal places for families who are homeless or at risk of losing their housing to learn about their educational rights and who to contact for help. (See item #1 for information on obtaining posters.)

4 Conduct a school supply drive. Families who are homeless may not be able to afford

basic supplies such as pencils, paper, back packs, folders, crayons, or calculators. Work with local service agencies, as well as your school district's homeless liaison, to make sure that children in need receive the supplies. To find out the name of your school district's home-less liaison, contact the Texas Homeless Edu-cation Office at 1-800-446-3142 or visit the website at www.utdanacenter.org/theo.

5 Conduct a drive for school clothing or uni-forms. Families who are homeless may not

be able to afford new clothing for their children, including shoes and items such as eyeglasses. Again, work with your local service agencies, as well as your school district's homeless liaison, to make sure that you collect the appropriate kinds of clothing.

6 Help volunteer at a before- or after-school program. Check with local service providers

as well as your school district's liaison to see what programs already exist, and find out if chil-dren who are homeless need help at these pro-grams with materials or tutors. If the school dis-trict doesn't offer any after-school programs,

work with local shelters or service providers to provide tutoring or homework help at the shelter or motel.

7 Offer to volunteer at a local school. Many schools are in need of volunteers for such

activities as doing background research for les-sons and activities; decorating and/or painting classrooms and public areas; providing clerical assistance; assisting school counselors, nurses and other staff with their duties. Let your school know that you have an interest in helping chil-dren who are disadvantaged.

8 Contact local pre-school and early child-hood programs and talk to them about

homelessness. Check with local service provid-ers as well as your school district's liaison to see what pre-school or early childhood pro-grams already exist, and find out if children who are homeless are able to access these pro-grams. Offer to volunteer or contribute money or other resources to help homeless children benefit from early childhood programs.

9 Contact local drop-in centers or other pro-grams for youth who are homeless on their

own. Provide information on the educational rights of these young people. If appropriate, of-fer to mentor homeless youth at your place of business.

10 Contribute financially to your school dis-trict's homeless education program. To

find out what kind of program your school dis-trict offers, call the Texas Homeless Education Office at 1-800-446-3142.

Our thanks to the National Coalition for the Homeless for preparing the draft version of this document. For additional information on the educational needs and rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness, visit: www.nationalhomeless.org www.serve.org/nche www.nlchp.org www.naehcy.org

Is Your Family Facing Homelessness or Housing

Problems?

Special New Rules Make Signing Up For

Free School Meals Fast and Easy!

How Do I Apply?

To sign your child up for free school meals, speak with:

Your school system’s homeless education liaison (contact person) (ask at your child’s school), or

Your child’s principal, or

Your homeless shelter director (if you’re staying in one).

These people will help you get free school meals for your child fast.

New rules allow these people to des-ignate your eligibility for this faster service and they will pass the informa-tion along to the school’s food pro-gram.

National Center for Homeless Education Phone: 1-800-308-2145

Website: www.serve.org/nche

Food Research and Action Center

Phone: (202) 986-2200 Website: www.frac.org

Who Can I Call If I Have Questions?

Call your child’s school and

ask to speak to the school system’s homeless education liaison (contact

person) or the school principal.

You can also contact:

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Handout, Parents

School Meals

All parents know that nutritious meals are important for children to grow, keep healthy and learn.

When times get tough it can be hard to get children all the healthy food they need.

Breakfast, lunch and afterschool snacks served through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs may be one way to make sure your children can grow and learn.

New Rules Make Signing Up For Free School Meals

Fast and Easy

The school lunch and breakfast programs have special new rules to help families facing housing problems and homeless-ness. These rules allow children and youth to quickly qualify for free school meals.

No documents or No documents or

paperwork are requirepaperwork are required.d.

Who May Be Eligible? Children and youth in families with housing problems that have forced them to:

Live temporarily with another family. Live in a motel, campground or car. Live in an emergency, domestic violence or transitional shelter.

Children and youth on their own:

Living temporarily with another family. Living in a motel, campground or car. Living in an emergency, transitional or runaway shelter. Awaiting foster care placement.

Timothy L. Stahlke

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Timothy L. Stahlke

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Handout, Parents

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