One student in an alternative program became homeless after placement and is being transported back to alternative program. Recommendation: Amend policy when VSBA revises.to align with ESSA – hold for revised Code of Virginia and the VSBA revision. 1.2. Has an appropriate staff person been designated as the LEA liaison for homeless children and youth who is able to carry out the duties described in Title IX, Part A? §722(g)(1)(J)(ii)? LEA directory that identifies the liaison LEA Web site that identifies the liaison Evidence that time allotted to perform duties is reasonable given the number of students identified as homeless What was the rationale for including the liaison in his/her current department? How is the liaison position classified in HR? How often has the LEA designated a new homeless education liaison? How is the state coordinator notified of any changes in personnel? Yes No N/A Comments Executive Director of Pupil Services has a variety of people available to allow the Liaison to carry out these responsibilities. Yes No N/A Comments Restructuring 2 years ago, small central office – liaison has multiple responsibilities, PRC reestablished this year, school SW report to liaison 1.3. How does the LEA liaison about liaison responsibilities under McKinney-Vento? §722(f)(5) and (6), §722(g)(1)(J)(iv) & §722(g)(2) Evidence that the liaison for homeless children and has participated in training identified by the state coordinator, e.g., certificates of attendance In what professional development activities has the liaison participated related to McKinney-Vento responsibilities? Are there topics the liaison would like to see offered by the state? Yes No N/A Comments Liaison is reading “Serving Students who are Homeless” by Hallett and Skrla and will have resource staff read and discuss for recertification points. Attends a variety of training addressing low socio which include Homeless. Yes No N/A Comments Web site under parent portal
Project Hope, Aline Brinkman and DOE staff are resources. Guiding Questions LEA Acceptable LEA Evidence Documentation Probing Questions Interview LEA Response Is sufficient documentation provided? 1.4. How does the liaison ensure LEA personnel are aware of the LEA’s McKinney-Vento responsibilities and the needs of homeless children and youth? §722(g)(1)(D), §722(g)(6)(A)(ix) & §722(g)(6)(B) and (C) Evidence that the LEA liaison or LEA staff conducts outreach to relevant LEA staff to inform them of McKinney-Vento rights and services for homeless children and youth, such as copies of agendas, minutes, handouts, or notes What staff receive training? How frequently is information shared? How do school personnel receive appropriate information and technical assistance on the educational rights and needs of homeless students? Is public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youth disseminated to all schools where such children and youth receive services under the Act? Yes No N/A Comments School Retreat, emails, Leadership team meetings, school staff meetings and community meetings to provide information regarding homeless children and youth. Work individually with 4 school staff who register students. Yes No N/A Comments A variety of ppt were provided; At teacher orientation - on agenda; employee liaison meeting agenda; parent liaison meeting agenda; on school agenda Email verification that posters are in school Emails that information has been shared with school staff and leadership
§722(g)(6)(A) and (C) needs of homeless children and youth in the LEA LEA Report Card EDPS is in contact with school staff work with families to identify the needs of homeless youth. a motel owner and connects for shelter when nothing is available; will call Aline who follows up on individual needs; community mental health counselors in all schools – auto eligible if FRL; school nurses work on health care plans and are used to create 504 plans fr Guiding Questions LEA Acceptable LEA Evidence Documentation Probing Questions Interview LEA Response Is sufficient documentation provided? 2.3. How does the LEA ensure coordination among LEA programs and community agencies serving students experiencing homelessness, including Title I, Part A, Title III, and special education and local department of social services? §722(g)(4) and (5) & §722(g)(6)(iv) Evidence that the LEA ensures that homeless students receive Title I, Part A, services through sections of the consolidated application and schoolwide program plans addressing the educational needs of homeless students Description of activities funded through the LEA I, Part A, reservation for homeless students Evidence that the LEA coordinates programs and services between SEA, LEA, and other community agencies, (e.g., schedules, agendas, minutes, notes or handouts) How does the LEA determine its I, Part A, reservation for students experiencing homelessness and how are the funds used? How do homeless children and youth receive free meals through the National School Lunch Program? How do homeless families, children, and youth receive referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health services, and other appropriate services? Yes No N/A Comments Because we are a small educational agencies staff wear a lot of hats and work with a lot of agencies. This provides the coordination Tile I Part A is spent for the regional coordinator. Refer to Procedures in 1 G 1.O includes notes from the Continuum of Care Meetings. Yes No N/A Comments Reservation increased to $1200. Attendance committee meets weekly. Recommendation: Consider increasing reservation for local needs beyond regional coordinator: look at achievement data and ED Guidance Section M
2.6. How does the LEA ensure that homeless students are immediately enrolled and assisted with basic school requirements (e.g., records transfer, health and immunization records, and residency)? §722(g)(3)(C) §722(g)(7) Evidence that the LEA annually reviews and revises policies and practices to ensure they do not act as barriers to enrolling homeless students, such as agenda, minutes, or notes from meetings where these reviews occur Enrollment records with date of presentment and date of initial attendance How does the LEA review and revise policies and practices (such as those regarding immunization and health records, residency requirements, birth certificates, school records, and guardianship) to ensure they do not act as barriers when enrolling homeless students? What data (barrier logs, technical assistance logs, etc.) are used to inform practices? What processes are in place to address barriers and other challenges identified? How does the LEA document that students experiencing homelessness are immediately enrolled in school and provided assistance in obtaining any missing enrollment documents? Yes No N/A Comments See 1.G Procedures. See 1. I for policy review. Registrar, guidance counselor and school nurse follow up to ensure documents are obtained without delaying admission. . Yes No N/A Comments No barriers reported at this time. 2.7. How does the LEA ensure enrollment in the school of origin when determined to be in the best interest of the §722(g)(3)(A)(i), §722(g)(3)(B), & §722(g)(6)(A)(vii) and (viii) Best interest determination forms Case notes Evidence that parents/youth are informed of their rights under McKinney-Vento (e.g., parent/youth signatures verifying receipt of rights, case notes) How are the parents or guardians of homeless children and youth and unaccompanied homeless youth informed of the educational opportunities available and provided meaningful opportunities to participate in educational decision-making? How does the LEA conduct best interest determinations for placement decisions? Yes No N/A Comments See 1.H Best Determination Form See 1 G. Procedures. Yes No N/A Comments Used whenever change in school district; most MV students are from within LEA; 3 conducted this year – kept with SRQ
3.2. What is the LEA’s process to review or investigate disputes brought by parents/youth? §722(g)(1)(C) and §722(g)(3)(E) Records indicating that enrollment disputes are investigated and resolved in a timely manner Evidence that students are enrolled and provided transportation during the dispute resolution process How are parent/unaccompanied homeless youth appeals resolved? Yes No N/A Comments 1.I has a dispute policy Follow the memo’s in 1. M (Red Folder). Yes No N/A Comments There have been no disputes. IV. The LEA monitors academic progress and success of students experiencing homelessness. 4.1. How does the LEA ensure that homeless students are included in statewide assessments? §722(g)(1)(A) Reports of statewide assessment performance of homeless students enrolled in the LEA for the last school year Disaggregated SOL performance by homeless flag How does the LEA use statewide assessment data to identify needs of students experiencing homelessness? Yes No N/A Comments Train School Testing coordinator who trains the examiners on who is required to be tested. See copy of SOL data of homeless (SOL Scores for homeless). Yes No N/A Comments 100% participation rate in school division. 4.2. Does the LEA monitor graduation and college and career ready status for students experiencing homelessness? §722(g)(1)(K) §722(g)(6)(A)(x) §721(4) Disaggregated on-time graduation and dropout rates Surveys of graduates Number of homeless seniors who apply to and are accepted into postsecondary programs Has the LEA explored credit recovery strategies? How do the rates of graduation compare to other LEA subgroups? Yes No N/A Comments No Bobcat Left Behind Be There SWSS Graduation Cohort Report. Guidance Report of Graduates. Yes No N/A Comments Overall OTGR is 95.8%; monitors risk factors, have graduation coaches for students
FOR SUBGRANTS ONLY V. LEA subgrant plans for services to eligible homeless students meet all requirements. [§723] Guiding Questions LEA Acceptable LEA Evidence Documentation Probing Questions Interview LEA Response Is sufficient documentation provided? 5.1. Does the LEA conduct program evaluation to determine its effectiveness? §723(b)(1) Most recent reports of statewide assessment performance of homeless students enrolled in the LEA for the last school year Progress on standards and indicators Are student academic outcomes addressed in the LEA’s subgrant application and annual report? How are these data used for program improvement? Yes No N/A Comments Aline Brinkman will complete Yes No N/A Comments 5.2. What kind of internal fiscal controls does the LEA have in place to account for the use of subgrant funds in a way that meets federal requirements? §723(a)(2)(A)(iii) & §723(a)(3) Evidence the subgrant expands/improves services provided as part of regular academic program Written contracts for any LEA subcontracts of EHCY activities to organizations Evidence the LEA implements required and authorized activities; e.g., budget reports at the end of a fiscal year, records of expenditures, carryover and summary reports A current list of all personnel (instructional and administrative staff) paid with McKinney-Vento subgrant funds How does the LEA conduct its needs assessment, action planning, and program evaluation as part of the McKinney-Vento subgrant process? Does the subgrant expand or improve services provided as part of the regular academic program? Does the LEA subcontract with third party organizations? If so, what is the decision-making process used for making awards and monitoring performance? Are reimbursement requests, amendments, and fiscal requirement processes followed? Are LEA personnel paid with the McKinney-Vento subgrant funds? If so, how are these salaries calculated and reimbursed? Yes No N/A Comments Aline Brinkman will complete Yes No N/A Comments