Author: Carrie Jackson

Counseling Coffee Corner

December 18, 2014

Homelessness and McKinney-Vento

Who is defined as being Homeless? According to the McKinney-Vento Act students who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime housing are considered homeless. This includes families who are doubled up with another family due to eviction, loss of housing, economic hardship, or fire/hurricane. Families who chose to live with another family to save money are not considered homeless. Anyone living in a hotel or car is considered homeless, as well as, students awaiting a foster placement or students placed in Kinship Housing by DSS. Students, however, who are in full custody of DSS are not considered homeless.
According to the McKinney –Vento Act, students identified as being homeless are to be registered at school immediately and do not have to show proof of residency or other required documents. These students automatically receive free breakfast and lunch, and are allowed to stay at their school or origin for the remainder of the school year, even if they move to permanent housing. Our social worker always meets with these families to assist with enrollment. We had two McKinney-Vento students enrolled, but both have already moved.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, is part of No Child Left Behind. The full text of the law can be found at http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg116.html
More information can also be found at
center.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/reauthorization.pdf

Hot Chocolate Bar and Holiday Treats provided by Tiffany Ward & Carrie Jackson...Enjoy!

Did You Know?

In North Carolina 17.5% of people are considered below the poverty level and in Onslow county 15.2% of people are considered below the poverty level.
If we break that down even further 18.9% of people in Hubert are below the poverty level and 12.1% of people in Swansboro are below poverty the level. An astonishing number is that 20.5% of children in the Swansboro area are considered below the poverty level.
What do we do for these students?

Signs of Homelessness

Lack of Continuity of Education- Attendance Issues, Lack of School Records, Inability to pay fees, Poor ability to conceptualize, Inability to contact parents
Health/Nutrition– Lack of immunizations, Unmet medical needs, Chronic hunger, Fatigue
Hygiene– Inability to shower, Wearing the same clothing over and over, Inconsistent grooming
Lack of personal space– No access to school supplies, Loss of supplies on a regular basis, Concern for safety of belongings
Social/Behavior– Short attention span, Extreme shyness, Unwillingness to form relationships, Difficulty trusting people, “Old” beyond their years, Protective of parents, Developmental delays, Fear of abandonment, Anxiety at the end of the day
Parent Statements– Exhibiting anger or embarrassment when asked their current address, Mentioning staying with someone else, Saying they don’t remember the name of the last school, Stating they are staying with relatives until they get settled

Community Resources

Onslow County Schools used to staff a person to check on our McKinney-Vento students every 9-week grading period. This resource is no longer available and it is now up to the social workers to check on them periodically. School supplies and free breakfast and lunch are provided to all homeless students. We offer weekly food backpacks to any family that requests this service. Every Friday students enrolled in the program pick up their backpack from the counseling office. The Hem of His Garment provides Thanksgiving food to any family who asks for assistance. The Hem of His Garment also provides Christmas gifts to all families who enroll in the Angel Tree program. Both of these resources are organized by the schools in Swansboro. Families in need of food can visit the Swansboro food bank once a month. They are allowed to take in a laundry basket, bag, etc… to fill. As a school we waive these student’s fees and provide money to assist with field trips, school supplies, sport uniforms, etc...
What strategies are you using in your classroom to help these students?