New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students

Students who transfer schools often do worse in school than those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

Glossary H-N

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HSP

Housing Stability Plus ("The Plus Program"). HSP offers competitive, market rate rent supplements to individuals and families experiencing homelessness who are ready to leave the shelter system for permanent housing in New York City.

HRA

Human Resources Administration. The HRA was created in New York City to better coordinate and integrate the City's human services programs.

HUD

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD is a federal program that aims to increase homeownership, support community development, and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. HUD introduced Continuums of Care to encourage and support local organizations in coordinating their efforts to address housing and homeless issues and reduce homelessness.

IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This federal law requires school districts to provide a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with special needs.

IEP

Individualized Education Plan. The IEP is a document that describes the special education program and services that a student is entitled to receive, as well as any necessary classroom or testing accommodations. IEPs are revised at least once a year.

Kinship Foster Care

Foster care given by a relative of a child where the child has been removed from the home of the parent and placed in the custody of the State.

LEA

Local Educational Agency. In New York State, school districts, BOCES, and charter schools with a state charter are all considered LEAs.

LGBTQ

Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/Queer/Questioning. Thousands of LGBTQ youth are forced out onto the streets every year, and they comprise a reported 40% of the total homeless youth population.

Liaison

A school staff member who is designated by the school district to identify students experiencing homelessness and help them access the educational services to which they are entitled.

Local School District

The school district zoned for the area where a student is temporarily residing.

LOUISE

Liaisons On-Line Unified Information System for Evaluation. LOUISE is a data collection system originally designed for school districts receiving McKinney-Vento Sub-grant funding.

LRE

Least Restrictive Environment. Special education law (IDEA) requires that every student with special needs be educated in the least restrictive environment in which s/he can make meaningful educational progress.

McKinney-Vento Act or "M-V"

The federal law that entitles children who are homeless to a free, appropriate public education, and requires schools to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in school.

NAEHCY

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. NAEHCY reaches out to educators, parents, advocates, researchers and social service providers to ensure school enrollment and attendance, as well as the overall success of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

NCHE

National Center for Homeless Education. NCHE is a federally funded national resource center that provides information, training, and materials to educators and community members seeking to address the educational needs of homeless children and their families.

NCLB

No Child Left Behind. NCLB is a federal law that builds on the foundation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and was designed to close the achievement gap between high- and low-performing students.

NLCHP

The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty. The mission of NLCHP is to prevent homelessness by serving as the legal arm of the nationwide movement to end homelessness.

NOVA

No Violence Again. Survivors of domestic violence in New York City who are homeless because of a D-V issue should be referred to the NOVA office, a unit within PATH which is staffed by HRA employees. NOVA staff members assess shelter applicants, and if they are found eligible, and space is available, the family will be placed in an emergency domestic violence shelter. If the NOVA office is not able to place the family in a domestic violence shelter, the family will be referred to a homeless shelter.

NPS

Non-Public School. Students with special needs may be placed in non-public schools if there is no appropriate special education program for the student in the public school where the student is enrolled. Under federal law (IDEA) NPSs are referred to as private schools.

NYCHA

New York City Housing Authority. NYCHA provides affordable housing in a safe and secure living environment for low and moderate- income residents throughout New York City. NYCHA also administers a citywide Section 8 Leased Housing Program in rental apartments. Individuals in need of housing are eligible for the NYCHA waitlist, which is often extremely long. Preference is no longer given to families exiting the shelter system.

NY Education Law 3209

The New York State Education Law, Section 3209, complements the federal McKinney-Vento Act to ensure services are provided to students experiencing homelessness.

NYC DOE

New York City Department of Education.

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