Find out how to contact us by email or by our Helpline. CONTACT US New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS) provides information, referrals, and trainings to schools, school districts, social service providers, parents, and others about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Helpline 800-388-2014 NYSTEACHs.org The New York State Technical and Educational Assistance Center for Homeless Students LOCATIONS 41 State Street, Suite 403 Albany, NY 12207 749 E 135 Street Bronx, NY 10454 34 South Broadway, Suite 601 White Plains, NY 10601 INFORMATION For information or questions: E-MAIL US info@nysteachs.org CALL OUR MAINLINE 800-388-2014 You Can Also Contact Us by Form First Name Email Last Name Phone Message Submit Thanks for submitting!

Resources for educators Educator Resources The NYS-TEACHS has curated a selection of resources to assist you in helping students who are experiencing temporary housing. Topic Resources View resources by topic: Guides & Fact Sheets Common Signs of Homelessness The NCHE has published these common signs to help identify students experiencing homelessness. Guides & Fact Sheets Informational posters and brochures Posters and brochures are available in several languages on our website. They are downloadable and/or you can order copies directly from us. Email: Ailin Mendoza: amendoza@measinc. Guides & Fact Sheets Introduction to the issues This brief from the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) provides an overview of issues within the field of homeless education, and is particularly helpful for introducing new people to the field or introducing the issue to those outside of the field. About the Source Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) operates the Department’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this role, NCHE works with schools, service providers, parents, and other interested stakeholders to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school. Laws & Guidance Letter about McKinney-Vento from former Commissioner MaryEllen Elia As the school year begins, State Education Commissioner Maryellen Elia outlines the educational rights of students in temporary housing and emphasizes the important role that administrators play in creating a positive school climate that is safe and supportive to these students. Guides & Fact Sheets Matrix of Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for School Success What does trauma-sensitivity look like in practice? This two-page resource from NYS-TEACHS provides suggested strategies and actions for implementing the three categories of trauma-sensitivity in a school setting: 1. Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment 2. Fostering Secure Attachments 3. Strengthening Non-Cognitive Skills. This is a simple and helpful “how-to” resource for your own reference or to hand out to school/district staff during a trauma-sensitive schools training. Website McKinney-Vento Act: A Summary This document from schoolhouseconnection.com summarizes some of the McKinney-Vento Act’s core provisions. It is also available in several different languages. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Information Sharing NYS TEACHS This tip sheet from NYS-TEACHS provides information about when it is appropriate to share a student’s housing information with school/district staff. It also provides tips for “how” to share that information while still respecting the student’s privacy. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Supporting Mobile Students This brief from Project HOPE, Virginia’s Education of Homeless Children and Youth program housed at the College of William and Mary, discusses what schools can do to support the education of highly mobile students. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Teachers NYS TEACHS Read some tips and techniques for teachers that help create a classroom environment that is safe and supportive for students in temporary housing including sensitivity to the stress and trauma that often accompanies homelessness. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for Teachers & Staff: How to Support Students Experiencing Homelessness Schoolhouse Connection For many students experiencing homelessness, school is the only place of stability in their lives. Teachers play a crucial role in creating a classroom environment that is safe and supportive for all students, especially those who are highly mobile and have experienced the trauma that often accompanies homelessness. Here, we provide information and strategies that teachers and support staff can use to support the educational success of students experiencing homelessness. Guides & Fact Sheets Tips for meeting the unique learning needs of students exposed to trauma NYS-TEACHS If you are new to the concept of trauma-sensitivity or want a deeper understanding of how to implement each of trauma-sensitive strategies outlined in our “Matrix of Trauma-Sensitive Strategies for School Success,” this toolkit can help. This detailed toolkit from NYS-TEACHS provides suggestions for HOW to apply various trauma-sensitive strategies and WHY they are necessary to improve academic outcomes for students in temporary housing.

View the webinar Back to School with McKinney-Vento 2023 Back to School with McKinney-Vento 25-26 As our students return to school this fall, more families may need services under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. This webinar is designed to support McKinney-Vento Liaisons fulfill their role and responsibilities in identifying eligible students and providing benefits under the law. This session will review the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as it relates to identification, immediate enrollment and transportation of students experiencing temporary housing. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Identify the rights of students experiencing temporary housing and the LEA’s responsibility to ensure those rights. Describe the criteria for a student to be eligible for benefits as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Provide the benefits of immediate enrollment and transportation to eligible students. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

COVID-19 Information archive 5-12-20 Tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons: COVID-19 & Student Homelessness 3-27-2020 COVID-19 & Student Homelessness Supporting Students in Temporary Housing — COVID-19 Resources for Schools and Families Friday, March 27, 2020 10:00 am – 11:00 am View Recording Students in temporary housing face unique challenges in response to COVID-19. Schools and social service providers need up-to-date information about supports that are available for students and their families. This webinar will provide an opportunity for school staff and community based service providers to share their questions, discuss current concerns and learn about best practices. The webinar will also offer informational resources, links and tools that schools can share to meet students’ needs. We will discuss access to free school meals during school closures, strategies to support school access, updates about public benefits, and more. The webinar is designed for all professionals working with school-age children and youth in New York State. Handouts from 03/27/20 Webinar: – 03/27/20 Powerpoint Slides (PDF ) – NY State Education Dept Guidance on Coronavirus – NYS-TEACHS’ Tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons: COVID-19 – SchoolHouse Connection: COVID-19 Virtual Conversation and Q&A – Joint Guidance from the Juvenile Law Center, The Hope Center, and SchoolHouse Connection: Beyond the Food Pantry: COVID-19 Response for Students Who are Homeless or With Experience in Foster Care When the country first closed down because of the novel virus COVID -19, NYSTEACHS.org sent out COVID-19 E-Alerts. Click on a communication to read more about the virus as it pertains to homelessness. Tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons: COVID-19 & Student Homelessness Download a PDF of this document Tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons: COVID-19 & Student Homelessness Published: 03/31/20 Last Updated: 05/12/20 Below is a list of tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons for supporting students in temporary housing (STH) through the COVID-19 pandemic and related school closures. For the latest updates, continue to visit NYS-TEACHS’ COVID-19 News section, NYS Education Department’s COVID-19 site , and SchoolHouse Connection’s COVID-19 and Homelessness resources, and in particular, its COVID Virtual Conversation and Q&A . Jump to: Meeting the Immediate Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness | Connecting with Students Experiencing Homelessness & Outreach | Liaison Self-Care Meeting the Immediate Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness Below are short tips and strategies for meeting the basic needs of students and families who are experiencing homelessness during this difficult time. In-depth suggestions and resources can be found on our COVID-19 Resource List . Be as flexible as possible regarding feeding students to better ensure food/meal access to all who need it. Provide meals to all students who show up at a grab-and-go site regardless of the student’s enrollment status in the school/district. Allow one family to pick up meals for another family who may not be able to safely get to the pick-up site. Deliver meals (along with school supplies and coursework) via food truck, school bus, or other vehicles to key locations throughout the district. This is especially impactful in rural areas where families may not have safe or reliable access to transportation or to families for whom transportation is a barrier to receiving meals or other supplies. Support the remote-learning needs of students experiencing homelessness. Ensure access to Internet/wi-fi and remote learning devices for students experiencing homelessness. Ensure that someone from the district (liaison, principal, teacher, counselor, school-aide, etc.) is conducting regular educational check-ins with all students experiencing homelessness and is securing any help they may need to keep up with their coursework. (See Connecting with Students Experiencing Homelessness & Outreach section below for more strategies.) Create additional flexibility for deadlines for students in temporary housing who are experiencing difficulties completing work because of their unstable housing. Support the physical and mental health needs of students and families experiencing homelessness. Share online resources related to self-care and physical/mental health to students and families (for example, Healthy & Ready to Learn for self-care and physical activity tips in English and in Spanish, Headspace or Calm for free guided meditations, Cosmic Kids Yoga , GoNoodle for movement and mindfulness activities, and NYC Department of Education’s pages on Physical Education & Activity and Health Education ). Encourage students to continue to communicate with one another safely through virtual means to prevent isolation or loneliness during this period of physical social distancing (e.g., texting, video chatting, phone calls, emails, instant messaging). Encourage parents and students to create daily routines to foster mental and physical well-being and to create a sense of predictability during these uncertain times. (This sample schedule from Health & Ready to Learn could be used as a starting point; changes could be made to it to reflect remote learning in temporary housing.) Encourage parents or youth to create a menu of activities or self-care practices to have on hand to choose from. Examples of activities for children or youth include: Making art (collages with old newspapers or magazines, coloring books, etc.) Journaling together and writing about positive memories, dreams for the future, and current emotions Getting active: taking a dance break, doing yoga stretches, walking around the neighborhood while keeping a safe distance from others. Brainstorm with parents about how to communicate with their children about COVID-19. The National Association of School Psychologist’s Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource is a great place to start. Connecting with Students Experiencing Homelessness & Outreach Due to the tremendous health, social, and economic pressures during this time, be prepared to identify new families who have become homeless and to check-in regularly with students already identified as McKinney-Vento eligible. Proactively reach out to all families identified as McKinney-Vento eligible to ask about immediate needs and let them know you are a source of support during this time. Be intentional about preserving relationships with students and families in temporary housing by continuing to regularly check-in, particularly with homeless unaccompanied youth. Create an ‘out-of-the-office’ message or email signature that includes a list of community resources for people to turn to if you are not currently available. Be aware of increased housing instability during this time and check-in with students and parents who have a history of moving often or who have recently indicated a change in address. For more information about having sensitive conversations with students and families about their housing status see the National Center for Homeless Education’s brief on Confirming Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Rights & Services . Be mindful that this is a challenging and potentially re-traumatizing time for students and families experiencing homelessness. Express your concern for their well-being and provide support as best as you can. Pay specific attention to students and families who are living in temporary housing outside of the school district where they are currently enrolled and make sure they are receiving information about local resources. Create a survey or needs assessment and use it in your outreach to better understand how to support families experiencing homelessness in your community. Create and distribute parent and student-friendly resource guides with specific information about your school’s available services during school closures and any plans about re-opening. Send out materials (posters, flyers, and brochures) with information about McKinney-Vento to campgrounds, motels, community centers, and other areas where families or youth may be seeking shelter at this time. Reach out to partner organizations and local community agencies and collaborate on providing services and conducting outreach to families and youth experiencing homelessness. Liaison Self-Care The best way to ensure you have the capacity to support students and families experiencing homelessness is by fostering your own well-being during this time. Set boundaries in order to foster sustainable support for students and families in temporary housing. Create and stick to a schedule for when to communicate with students and families. If you are not able to provide support at a certain time, share resources or let the other person know when in the future you will be available to talk. Take regular breaks from watching, reading, and listening to the news, including social media. Incorporate self-care and mindfulness practices into your everyday routine. Participate in free guided meditations on websites such as Headspace . Look through these 50 Ways to Take a Break . Reflect and journal about your experience in the moment. Check out these Six Daily Questions to Ask Yourself in Quarantine for some excellent prompts. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed or if you are concerned that the COVID-19 situation is affecting your ability to care for others: Reach out to other school staff and collaborators to talk about the challenges you are currently facing. If you are struggling, find mental health support through the New York State Office of Mental (OMH) Health Program Directory or by calling the OMH Emotional Support Line (1-844-863-9314) . In NYC, contact NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355) to connect with someone who will listen and help 24/7. Resources Compiled From: Thank you to the many New York State McKinney-Vento Liaisons who have shared ideas and offered tips included in this checklist. Beyond the Food Pantry: COVID-19 Response for Students Who are Homeless or With Experience in Foster Care Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s COVID-19 Manage Anxiety & Stress Healthy & Ready to Learn’s Making Space For Ourselves MENTOR’s Tips for Maintaining Connection With Young People During a Time of Social Distancing The National Association of School Psychologist’s Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource SchoolHouse Connection’s Checklist for Local Education Agencies and Early Childhood Providers SchoolHouse Connection’s COVID Virtual Conversation Q&A SchoolHouse Connection’s Evolving Lessons During COVID-19

Students in temporary housing who need summer school to advance to the next grade, or who need summer school to graduate on time, must be provided the opportunity to attend summer school free of charge. Summer School Students in temporary housing who need summer school to advance to the next grade, or who need summer school to graduate on time, must be provided the opportunity to attend summer school free of charge. School districts may be asked to cover fees associated with summer school for students in temporary housing. Students in temporary housing are entitled to transportation to and from summer school if the school district provides transportation to permanently housed students. In addition, school districts must provide transportation if the lack of transportation is a barrier to the student's ability to attend summer school, even if the district does not transport permanently housed students. During the summer months, all Local Education Agencies (LEAs, including school districts, charter schools, and BOCES) are also required to have a McKinney-Vento Liaison. They should appoint an interim summer Liaison if the academic year Liaison is unavailable during the summer months. FAQs for this topic Topic Resources View topic by category: Laws & Guidance McKinney-Vento Summer School Information - 2026 During the 2025-2026 school year, Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have provided a wide variety of supports to students experiencing homelessness, including those students made homeless by international conflict or economic instability. As LEAs begin to plan summer programming, they should continue to consider the needs of these students, who regularly face extraordinary academic and social emotional challenges. This memo outlines the required actions under the McKinney-Vento Act that LEAs must take to support students experiencing homelessness during the summer break. Additionally, it provides suggested strategies for LEAs to fulfill the requirements described. Guides & Fact Sheets Transportation Guide for Students in Temporary Housing NYS-TEACHS This chart provides concise information on the transportation rights of students in temporary housing attending school in New York State. It includes information on available services, the responsible agency, and funding sources when serving students in many different housing situations, including for students attending charter schools. Website New York State Summer Food Service Program This website provides information on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). In New York, the Summer Food Service Program is administered in New York by the State Education Department (NYSED). The SFSP provides funding for free meals to students during the summer months when school is out. Children 18 years of age and younger are eligible to participate in SFSP. Persons over 18 years old who are physically or mentally disabled and participating in a public or nonprofit private school program established for children with these disabilities may also participate.

Participants will explore root causes, examine successful models, hear from students with lived experience, and develop tools to create actionable implementation plans with your district team. Addressing Chronic Absenteeism for Students in Temporary Housing Students experiencing homelessness face chronic absenteeism at nearly twice the rate of their peers. This session equips McKinney-Vento liaisons with evidence-based strategies and practical tools to improve attendance. Participants will explore root causes, examine successful models, hear from students with lived experience, and develop tools to create actionable implementation plans with your district team. By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to: Explore root causes of chronic absenteeism Identify components of successful attendance models Develop tools to create actionable attendance improvement plans for your students. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

McKinney-Vento Grant Program information McKinney-Vento Grant Program Grant funding is available to LEAs (School Districts, Charter Schools, and BOCES) through a competitive application process administered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Applications for the McKinney-Vento Competitive Grant are available every 3 years. LEA's who successfully secure a 3-year grant may use funds to provide programs and activities that support the school success of students experiencing homelessness. Allowable activities include, but are not necessarily limited to: The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services, as well as transportation to and from such services; Before-school and after-school activities, mentoring, and summer programs with a teacher or other qualified individual, as well as transportation related to these programs and services; Provision of student support services, including mental health counseling and violence prevention counseling, as well as transportation related to these services; Partnerships with local organizations to provide physical and mental health services, enrichment activities, or other “whole child” supports, as well as transportation related to these services; Supplemental food programs such as after-school snacks or weekend food programs; Provision of developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs not otherwise provided; Provision of education and training to parents of students in temporary housing about educational rights and resources that are available; Adaptation of space, purchase of supplies for non-school facilities (e.g., stimulating and age-appropriate play/study spaces within shelters or “calming corners” in classrooms); and Professional development and training on McKinney-Vento statutes, trauma-sensitivity, or another related topic for educators, school/district personnel, and/or community partners. Visit the "Current Grantees" page for more information about the current grant cycle. Current Grantees Go to FAQs For more information about McKinney-Vento grants generally, please contact the Homeless Education Program at the State Education Department at (518) 473-0295. Topic Resources View topic by category: Data 2007-2010 NYS McKinney-Vento Grant Recipients This spreadsheet details the school districts and BOCES awarded McKinney-Vento grants for the 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10 school years. The spreadsheet includes the annual awards (i.e. the amount a school district or BOCES received in each of the three years) and the districts to be served by each grant. Data 2011 NYS McKinney-Vento Grant Recipients This spreadsheet details the school districts and BOCES awarded McKinney-Vento grants for January 1-June 30,2011, and the districts to be served by each grant. Data 2011-13 NYS McKinney-Vento Grant Recipients This spreadsheet details the school districts and BOCES awarded McKinney-Vento grants for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years. The spreadsheet includes the annual awards (i.e. the amount a school district or BOCES received in each of the two years) and the districts to be served by each grant. Data 2013-16 NYS McKinney-Vento Grant Recipients This spreadsheet details the school districts and BOCES awarded grants for the 2013-14, 2014-15, and 2015-16 school years. The spreadsheet includes the annual awards (i.e. the amount a school district or BOCES received in each of the three years) and the districts to be served by each grant. Data 2016-19 NYS McKinney-Vento Grant Recipients This spreadsheet lists the school districts and BOCES awarded grants for the 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 school years. The spreadsheet includes the annual awards (i.e. the amount a school district or BOCES received in each of the three years) and the districts to be served by each grant. Guides & Fact Sheets 2018 McKinney-Vento Baseline Grantee Meeting - Materials and Resources Read more about the various presentations and resources from our April 12, 2018 Baseline Grantee Meeting. Research & Reports CSPR Data Report This report sheet is for CSPR Data. Guides & Fact Sheets Educating Homeless Children and Youth: Conducting Needs Assessments and Evaluating Services A Guide for SEAs, LEAs, and Local Schools It is strongly recommended that applicants for the McKinney-Vento Grant conduct a needs assessment before crafting their potential programming. This NCHE publication provides a three-tiered approach to conducting comprehensive needs assessments and program evaluations to strengthen homeless education programs. It includes a comprehensive set of tools that will be useful in assisting LEAs in collecting the data needed to inform program decisions at the local level. About the Source Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) operates the Department’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this role, NCHE works with schools, service providers, parents, and other interested stakeholders to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school. Guides & Fact Sheets McKinney-Vento Data Standards and Indicators (2006 Revisions) This resource from the National Center for Homeless Education provides an updated version of the original five Standards and Indicators for Quality McKinney-Vento Programs developed in 2000. Reflecting provisions in the reauthorized McKinney-Vento Act and five years of effective practice, the revision includes 10 standards and proposed indicators that are comprehensive and quantifiable. Also included is a guide for developing program benchmarks. About the Source Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) operates the Department’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program. In this role, NCHE works with schools, service providers, parents, and other interested stakeholders to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness can enroll and succeed in school. Guides & Fact Sheets McKinney-Vento Grant Closeout (2019-2022) PDF This resource provides some additional information for McKinney-Vento Grantees (2019-2022). Research & Reports SIRS Data on Student Homelessness - 3 Year Summary (2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18) This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness at any point in the school years 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18. The data were collected by the New York State Education Department in the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and reflect students enrolled in New York State School Districts and New York State Charter Schools. Research & Reports SIRS Data on Student Homelessness - 3 Year Summary (2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21) This spreadsheet contains data on the number of students who experienced homelessness at any point in the school years 2018-19, 2019-20, and 2020-21. The data were collected by the New York State Education Department in the Student Information Repository System (SIRS) and reflect students enrolled in New York State School Districts and New York State Charter Schools.

This revised Non-Regulatory Guidance replaces the July 2016 Guidance and includes new questions and answers on the amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act and new technical assistance on promising practices for implementing homeless education requirements at the State and local levels. Non-Regulatory Guidance for the Education for Homeless Children and Youths United States Department of Education On March 2, 2017, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) revised the Non-Regulatory Guidance for the Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program. This revised Non-Regulatory Guidance replaces the July 2016 Guidance and includes new questions and answers on the amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act made by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which took effect on October 1, 2016, and new technical assistance on promising practices for implementing homeless education requirements at the State and local levels. The Non-Regulatory Guidance can be downloaded below. An accompanying factsheet is also available. In July 2018, U.S. DOE published a letter and addendum to the Non-Regulatory Guidance regarding Title I set-asides for students experiencing homelessness. US DOE NON-REGULATORY GUIDANCE (PDF) US DOE MCKINNEY-VENTO FACT SHEET (PDF) Back

NYS-TEACHS archived webinars Archived Webinars 2021-2022 The following are past NYS-TEACHS presentations and webinars on Homeless Education topics. Top of Page Charter Schools CHARTER SCHOOLS (NYS) – (01/26/21) Handouts: Powerpoint (PDF ) MCKINNEY-VENTO FOR CHARTER SCHOOLS (NYC) – (12/01/20) Handout: Powerpoint Slides (PDF ) McKinney-Vento Webinars McKinney-Vento: Transportation for NYS (Outside of NYC) McKinney-Vento Act: Supporting Students with Enrollment & School Selection McKinney-Vento Act: Meeting the Needs of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Trauma-Informed Support Webinar Series Session 1: Understanding Trauma Session 2: Practices and Strategies for Safety and Support Session 3: Self-Care and Coping with Secondary Traumatic Stress Supporting Young Children Experiencing Homelessness Helping Students Experiencing Homelessness Transition to Post-Secondary Education Navigating the Dispute Resolution Process Working with Parents Experiencing Homelessness Understanding the STAC 202 Policy (PDF) Planning Your LEA Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program End of Year Planning for McKinney-Vento Liaisons BACK TO TOP

View the webinar McKinney-Vento Act Supporting Students Attending Charter Schools McKinney-Vento Act: Supporting Students Attending Charter Schools Charter schools have the responsibility to implement the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Act to ensure that homeless students have access to and can succeed in school. This webinar will provide information on the provisions of the McKinney-Vento law with a focus on enrollment and transportation. (Webinar is intended for Rest of State, not NYC ) By the end of today’s webinar, participants will be able to: Describe the key provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act and the responsibilities of the liaison. Identify the rights of students experiencing temporary housing and the charter school responsibility to ensure those rights. Describe the criteria for a student to be eligible for benefits as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Provide the benefits of immediate enrollment and transportation to eligible students. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning

Tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons: COVID-19 & Student Homelessness PDF of this page Tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons: COVID-19 & Student Homelessness Published: 03/31/20 Last Updated: 05/12/20 Below is a list of tips for McKinney-Vento Liaisons for supporting students in temporary housing (STH) through the COVID-19 pandemic and related school closures. For the latest updates, continue to visit NYS-TEACHS’ COVID-19 News section, NYS Education Department’s COVID-19 site , and SchoolHouse Connection’s COVID-19 and Homelessness resources, and in particular, its COVID Virtual Conversation and Q&A . Jump to: Meeting the Immediate Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness | Connecting with Students Experiencing Homelessness & Outreach | Liaison Self-Care Meeting the Immediate Needs of Students Experiencing Homelessness Below are short tips and strategies for meeting the basic needs of students and families who are experiencing homelessness during this difficult time. In-depth suggestions and resources can be found on our COVID-19 Resource List . Be as flexible as possible regarding feeding students to better ensure food/meal access to all who need it. Provide meals to all students who show up at a grab-and-go site regardless of the student’s enrollment status in the school/district. Allow one family to pick up meals for another family who may not be able to safely get to the pick-up site. Deliver meals (along with school supplies and coursework) via food truck, school bus, or other vehicles to key locations throughout the district. This is especially impactful in rural areas where families may not have safe or reliable access to transportation or to families for whom transportation is a barrier to receiving meals or other supplies. Support the remote-learning needs of students experiencing homelessness. Ensure access to Internet/wi-fi and remote learning devices for students experiencing homelessness. Ensure that someone from the district (liaison, principal, teacher, counselor, school-aide, etc.) is conducting regular educational check-ins with all students experiencing homelessness and is securing any help they may need to keep up with their coursework. (See Connecting with Students Experiencing Homelessness & Outreach section below for more strategies.) Create additional flexibility for deadlines for students in temporary housing who are experiencing difficulties completing work because of their unstable housing. Support the physical and mental health needs of students and families experiencing homelessness. Share online resources related to self-care and physical/mental health to students and families (for example, Healthy & Ready to Learn for self-care and physical activity tips in English and in Spanish, Headspace or Calm for free guided meditations, Cosmic Kids Yoga , GoNoodle for movement and mindfulness activities, and NYC Department of Education’s pages on Physical Education & Activity and Health Education ). Encourage students to continue to communicate with one another safely through virtual means to prevent isolation or loneliness during this period of physical social distancing (e.g., texting, video chatting, phone calls, emails, instant messaging). Encourage parents and students to create daily routines to foster mental and physical well-being and to create a sense of predictability during these uncertain times. (This sample schedule from Health & Ready to Learn could be used as a starting point; changes could be made to it to reflect remote learning in temporary housing.) Encourage parents or youth to create a menu of activities or self-care practices to have on hand to choose from. Examples of activities for children or youth include: Making art (collages with old newspapers or magazines, coloring books, etc.) Journaling together and writing about positive memories, dreams for the future, and current emotions Getting active: taking a dance break, doing yoga stretches, walking around the neighborhood while keeping a safe distance from others. Brainstorm with parents about how to communicate with their children about COVID-19. The National Association of School Psychologist’s Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource is a great place to start. Connecting with Students Experiencing Homelessness & Outreach Due to the tremendous health, social, and economic pressures during this time, be prepared to identify new families who have become homeless and to check-in regularly with students already identified as McKinney-Vento eligible. Proactively reach out to all families identified as McKinney-Vento eligible to ask about immediate needs and let them know you are a source of support during this time. Be intentional about preserving relationships with students and families in temporary housing by continuing to regularly check-in, particularly with homeless unaccompanied youth. Create an ‘out-of-the-office’ message or email signature that includes a list of community resources for people to turn to if you are not currently available. Be aware of increased housing instability during this time and check-in with students and parents who have a history of moving often or who have recently indicated a change in address. For more information about having sensitive conversations with students and families about their housing status see the National Center for Homeless Education’s brief on Confirming Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Rights & Services . Be mindful that this is a challenging and potentially re-traumatizing time for students and families experiencing homelessness. Express your concern for their well-being and provide support as best as you can. Pay specific attention to students and families who are living in temporary housing outside of the school district where they are currently enrolled and make sure they are receiving information about local resources. Create a survey or needs assessment and use it in your outreach to better understand how to support families experiencing homelessness in your community. Create and distribute parent and student-friendly resource guides with specific information about your school’s available services during school closures and any plans about re-opening. Send out materials (posters, flyers, and brochures) with information about McKinney-Vento to campgrounds, motels, community centers, and other areas where families or youth may be seeking shelter at this time. Reach out to partner organizations and local community agencies and collaborate on providing services and conducting outreach to families and youth experiencing homelessness. Liaison Self-Care The best way to ensure you have the capacity to support students and families experiencing homelessness is by fostering your own well-being during this time. Set boundaries in order to foster sustainable support for students and families in temporary housing. Create and stick to a schedule for when to communicate with students and families. If you are not able to provide support at a certain time, share resources or let the other person know when in the future you will be available to talk. Take regular breaks from watching, reading, and listening to the news, including social media. Incorporate self-care and mindfulness practices into your everyday routine. Participate in free guided meditations on websites such as Headspace . Look through these 50 Ways to Take a Break . Reflect and journal about your experience in the moment. Check out these Six Daily Questions to Ask Yourself in Quarantine for some excellent prompts. Ask for help if you feel overwhelmed or if you are concerned that the COVID-19 situation is affecting your ability to care for others: Reach out to other school staff and collaborators to talk about the challenges you are currently facing. If you are struggling, find mental health support through the New York State Office of Mental (OMH) Health Program Directory or by calling the OMH Emotional Support Line (1-844-863-9314) . In NYC, contact NYC-Well (1-888-692-9355) to connect with someone who will listen and help 24/7. Resources Compiled From: Thank you to the many New York State McKinney-Vento Liaisons who have shared ideas and offered tips included in this checklist. Beyond the Food Pantry: COVID-19 Response for Students Who are Homeless or With Experience in Foster Care Center for Disease Control & Prevention’s COVID-19 Manage Anxiety & Stress Healthy & Ready to Learn’s Making Space For Ourselves MENTOR’s Tips for Maintaining Connection With Young People During a Time of Social Distancing The National Association of School Psychologist’s Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource SchoolHouse Connection’s Checklist for Local Education Agencies and Early Childhood Providers SchoolHouse Connection’s COVID Virtual Conversation Q&A SchoolHouse Connection’s Evolving Lessons During COVID-19 Meeting the Immediate Needs Connecting with Students Liaison Self Care

View the webinar McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act 101 McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Designed for new liaisons or anyone who wants a refresher on the basic provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act Students experiencing temporary housing are entitled to educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. There are key provisions and benefits that support students experiencing temporary housing to have full participation in school. This session will focus on the key provisions and the important role of the McKinney-Vento liaison in providing these benefits and protections to students. By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: Define homelessness and possible causes. Describe the key provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Utilize the McKinney-Veto Act’s definition of homelessness to determine eligibility of students experiencing temporary housing. Apply their knowledge to scenarios illustrating the basic provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act. Key Resources PDF of PowerPoint Back to Professional Learning