Strategies and Supports for Unaccompanied Youth

This past month we have been visiting topics that help us understand unaccompanied youth. But what is it that a liaison should actually DO in terms of providing support?

Now that you’ve seen our webinar, read through the blogs and FAQs, and visited our website, take a look at the “to-do’s” or the supports you can provide all unaccompanied youth, regardless of immigration or citizenship status:

• New York State Field Memo from Chancellor Rosa: Provision of Educational Services for Recently Arrived Unaccompanied Children and Youth. This memo provides a step-by-step process to ensure that all students that are newly arrived in your district are receiving the proper services. You can also see NYSED’s guidance on McKinney-Vento eligibility.

• NYS-TEACHS website. Our site has forms, flowcharts, step-by-step instructions, archived webinars, and resources for educators. Everything on this site, including the hotline, directs you to important “to-do’s” for identifying students that may be McKinney-Vento eligible, or new to the district and in need of resources.

• New York State Center for School Health provides numerous sources for liaisons, educators, and families with different needs regarding McKinney-Vento eligibility.

• New York City Department of Youth and Community Development also provides guidance and resources for those of you living in NYC.

• Federal Student Aid also offers guidelines and help for students applying for college.

• YOUTH.GOV offers guidance and supports for all relevant stakeholders.

• Here is a useful tip sheet from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.

All of the above resources provide many “to-do’s” for stakeholders- families, liaisons, educators, and administrators that deal directly with children and potentially identify them as McKinney-Vento eligible. The NYS-TEACHS website is updated regularly for new guidance from federal or state guidance and will continue to provide on-the-ground advice with the helpline in real-time. We look forward to serving you and the children of New York State!

This month at NYSTEACHS: