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Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC) Early Education Resources

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Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC) Early Education Resources

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Sample Materials

Continuum of Care Memorandum of Understanding with Service Provider (Fulton County, GA)

This memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines the responsibilities of the Fulton County Continuum of Care (CoC) as the collaborative applicant and the funded service provider as the CoC funding applicant, including responsibilities related to connecting households with early childhood programs such as Head Start, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and McKinney-Vento education services. This sample MOU may be customized and adapted by other communities for their own use.

ESSA Title I, Part A and Head Start Act: Local Educational Agency/Head Start Coordination Guidance (North Carolina)

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act) and the Head Start Act, require LEAs receiving Title I funds and Head Start programs, respectively, to coordinate both with each other and other early childhood providers. This North Carolina guidance document provides a framework for developing formal MOUs for coordination across local programs, and may be adapted by other states to develop their own guidance.
Georgia Head Start Memorandum of Agreement
This memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the Georgia Department of Education and the Georgia Head Start Association outlines how local Head Start and Early Head Start Programs will collaborate with the State Coordinator for Homeless Education and local homeless education liaisons to serve young children experiencing homelessness. This sample MOA may be customized and adapted by other communities for their own use.

Serving Children in Temporary Housing: A Tip Sheet for Head Start Programs (New York)

This tip sheet, developed collaboratively by the New York State Head Start Collaboration Project and the New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students, provides helpful hints for serving young homeless children in Head Start programs. The tip sheet provides an overview of the definition of homeless, Head Start rights and protections for homeless children, strategies for identifying and verifying the eligibility of homeless children, and strategies for prioritizing homeless children for services. The tip sheet may be customized and adapted by other communities for their own use.

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california homeless education and technical assistance center

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Early Care and Education - California Homeless Education and Technical Assistance Center

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Continuum of Care Memorandum of Understanding with Service Provider (Fulton County, GA) This memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines the responsibilities of the Fulton County Continuum of Care (CoC) as the collaborative applicant and the funded service provider as the CoC funding applicant, including responsibilities related to connecting households with early childhood programs such as Head Start, Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and McKinney-Vento education services.

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John has been serving as the Coordinator of Bay Region 4 CPIN since July 1, 2020 at the Contra Costa County Office of Education. CPIN provides professional development for the early learning field and serves the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Solano.  Prior to becoming a coordinator, John spent several years as an early learning principal in Oakland and as a project specialist assisting the early childhood department in West Contra Costa Unified implement state preschool programs at 12 different sites.  Prior to his leadership roles, he was most recently a TK teacher in Pittsburg Unified and has 20 years of PK-5 teaching experience in California, Virginia, The District of Columbia and Maryland.   In his 29th year of education, John continues to lift up the field of early childhood by being an advocate for play, leading developmentally appropriate professional development and continuing to support early educators and administrators throughout the Bay Area.  John can be contacted by emailing: jmoon@cccoe.k12.ca.us

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The purpose of the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) is to provide consistent and high quality professional development for preschool/Transitional Kindergarten (TK) administrators and teachers. Bay Region 4 serves Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Solano counties. Professional development consists of current research and information, resources, and best practices, which are focused on the educational component of school readiness for all children, aged three to five, including English learners and children with special needs. Our content focuses on the domains included in the California Preschool Learning Foundations and California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks and other California Department of Education (CDE) documents.

To join the Bay Region 4 email list, fill out and submit this form:
ListServ Form- Virtual.pdf

Onsite Support

Bay Region 4 CPIN provides limited on-site support and Technical Assistance to select preschool programs. For referral information please contact John Moon at jmoon@cccoe.k12.ca.us or (925) 942-3336.

Teacher Resources

CONTACTS

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Bay Region 4 California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN)

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The purpose of the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) is to provide consistent and high quality professional development for preschool/Transitional Kindergarten (TK) administrators and teachers. Bay Region 4 serves Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Solano counties.

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Story Time: Still a Family - Read Along!

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Click to access the sign-up form.

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Bay Region 4 CPIN : Sign Up to Stay in Touch

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Positively Homeless  Family Homelessness in America

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Follow Up Virtual Training on the Homelessness Docoument and a CoP 

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Follow Up Virtual Training on the Homelessness Docoument and a CoP 

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Session 1: Responsive Early Education for Young Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness - Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 6-8 PM

Session 2: CoP - Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 6-8 PM

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Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Responsive Early Education for Young Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.

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This is a followup professional development session to the in person CPIN Symposium on March 22, 2024. Anyone is welcome to attend.

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Virtual Training Registration using the Workforce Registry

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Virtual Training Registration using the Workforce Registry

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Please register via the Registry if you plan to attend the virtual professional development session on April 30 and May 7, 2024 and want to receive professional development hours.

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Best Practices: Responsive Early Education for Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness

Inital Date/Time: 04/30/2024 / 06:00 PM - 04/30/2024 / 08:00 PM, www.cpin.us

Total Hours: 5.00 Clock Hours

Event Type: Web-based Time Specific

Language of Instruction: English

Professional Development Description

Come join your colleagues throughout the state as we explore the document Best Practices: Responsive Early Education for Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness. This is a companion training to the in person professional development session.

Session Details

Web-based Time Specific 04/30/2024 / 06:00 PM - 04/30/2024 / 08:00 PM, www.cpin.us
Web-based Time Specific 05/07/2024 / 06:00 PM - 05/07/2024 / 08:00 PM, cpin.us

Training information

This is an Overview/Introductory training for Teaching Staff, Administration/Leadership Staff, Family Child Care Providers, Faculty, Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care Providers, Special Educators/Early Interventionists, Resource & Referral Staff.

Prior knowledge or experience needed: None

This training will cover Family and Community Engagement:.

Early learning standards/foundations: Preschool (3 - 5 Years), Transitional Kindergarten (4 - 5 Years)

Is this a Gateways training? No

Attendance Requirements

There are no attendance requirements. This is a follow up virtual session for the in-person professional development session on Homelessness.

Event Notes

This is a two part session. Participants should attend part one on April 30, 2024 to get the most out of the part two session on May 7, 2024.

Contact Information

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California Early Care & Education Workforce Registry

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The CA ECE Workforce Registry is a state, regional and local collaboration designed to track and promote the education, training and experience of the early care and education workforce for the purpose of improving professionalism and workforce quality to positively impact children.

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Alejandra Chamberlain is Director of Youth Services at the Contra Costa County Office of Education. She oversees the Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC), Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program, Education for Homeless Children and Youth, Youth Workforce and Empowerment programs, and Wellness in Schools program. Alejandra’s values and priorities align with CCCOE’s focus on Student Achievement, Educational Equity, Organizational Wellness and District Support with a priority to serve and support the most vulnerable students. Alejandra can be contacted by emailing: achamberlain@cccoe.k12.ca.us

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california homeless education and technical assistance center

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Home - California Homeless Education and Technical Assistance Center

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Home - California Homeless Education and Technical Assistance Center

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Contra Costa School District Homeless Education Liaison Contact List 2023-2024

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Contra Costa School District Homeless Education Liaison Contact List 2023-2024

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The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. In Contra Costa County there are an estimated 2,600 homeless children and youth experiencing homelessness. The Contra Costa County Office of Education, Youth Services Department, provides support and resources to the 18 School Districts, CCCOE-Operated School Sites, and Charter Schools to implement McKinney-Vento. Technical assistance and training are also available to district homeless liaisons and other staff who are involved in working with homeless children and youth.

Homeless Situations

The term homeless children and youth means "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This may include the following living situations:

Living in emergency or transitional shelters

Living in motels or hotels

Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings or other facilities not designed for regular sleeping accommodations for human beings

Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason

Runaway or unaccompanied youth

Youth abandoned in hospitals

Homeless Children and Youth Have the Right to:

Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they've lived there

Continue in the school last attended before they became homeless if that is their choice and is feasible

Receive transportation to school if they request such transportation

Participate in all programs for which they are eligible

Enroll in school without giving a permanent address, immunization records, or other required documents

Contra Costa County District Liaison List

Contra Costa County Charter School Liaison List

Foster Care/McKinney-Vento Collaborative:

Youth Services facilitates the Foster Youth Services/Homeless Education Collaborative, a quarterly meeting for districts and service providers, to coordinate services and provide support to the Foster Youth and McKinney-Vento District Education Liaisons, foster and homeless students and their families.

Foster Youth Services/Homeless Education Collaborative Meeting Resource One Drive

McKinney-Vento Education Council:

Youth Services facilitates the Foster Youth Services/Homeless Education Collaborative, a quarterly meeting for districts and service providers, to coordinate services and provide support to the Foster Youth and McKinney-Vento District Education Liaisons, foster and homeless students and their families.

McKinney-Vento Education Council Meeting Resource One Drive

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Education for Homeless Children and Youth

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The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. In Contra Costa County there are an estimated 2,600 homeless children and youth experiencing homelessness. The Contra Costa County Office of Education, Youth Services Department, provides support and resources to the 18 School Districts, CCCOE-Operated School Sites, and Charter Schools to implement McKinney-Vento.

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Denise Clarke is the Manager of Youth Services at the Contra Costa County Office of Education. She provides project management and support for the youth services department. Currently she supports the Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC), providing statewide professional and regional support to twenty-four county offices of education to ensure they have the resources they need to support schools and districts in improving educational stability of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Prior to this position Denise served as Manager, Early Childcare and Education programs, Youth Services Supervisor, and Youth Services Specialist with the Homeless Education and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs. Denise can be contacted by emailing: dclarke@cccoe.k12.ca.us

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Resources to Support Children, Youth, and Families Experiencing Homelessness During the COVID-19 Crisis

Schools are required to identify, enroll, and serve children and youth experiencing homelessness, but COVID-related complications mean it is easier than ever for them to fall through the cracks. It's vital that families and youth who are homeless know that help is available - that they have educational rights, and know how to exercise them. To help spread the word and give communities a starting place for outreach and identification, SchoolHouse Connection is promoting three public service announcements aimed at reaching youth, families, educators, community organizations, and leaders.

Does your community or school have a PSA that has been successful in raising awareness? Please email us so we can continue to share ideas.
Whether you are a parent or youth experiencing homelessness, or a professional who works with families and children, the resources on this page are here to help you.

To equip you with the right resources, select your role. Also, don't forget to listen to a special message from Elmo to children and parents experiencing homelessness.

If you are staying temporarily with someone else because you had to leave your home, or staying in a motel, campground, shelter, or in an outside or inadequate place, you have special rights at school - even if you are not staying with a parent or a guardian.

Those rights include:

Staying in the same school even if you move, and receiving transportation to that school, as long as it is in your best interest

Enrolling in school immediately without the documents schools usually require, and without a parent or guardian

Receiving free school meals

Getting help with school supplies, including what is needed to participate in distance learning and other needs

To get help, contact your school district's local homeless education liaison to find out if you qualify for help, or ask a counselor, teacher, or other trusted adult to connect you to the liaison. Every school district is required to designate a local homeless education liaison, who is responsible for helping children and youth experiencing homelessness and connecting them with relevant local resources.

*Note: this contact information may change frequently due to staff turnover. If you have problems finding the right school district homeless liaison, please contact your state homeless education coordinator
Find resources written by students, for students, that are designed to help you succeed in K-12, higher education, and life. Resources address topics such as understanding homeless definitions, getting help with financial aid (including COVID-19 relief), accessing child care, reviewing a lease, choosing and buying a cell phone plan, and more.

If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, or in need of medical, emotional, or physical support, please see this list of national hotlines that provide an array of services. All hotlines listed are national hotlines providing 24/7 support across the United States.

If you are staying temporarily with someone else because you lost your housing, or staying in a motel, campground, shelter, or in an outside or inadequate place, you and your children have special rights at school. These include:

Keeping your children in the same school even if you move, and receiving transportation to that school, as long as it is in the student's best interest;

Enrolling in school immediately without the documents schools usually require;

Receiving free school meals;

Getting help with school supplies and other needs;

Receiving extra support for youth who are on their own;

Connecting young children with early childhood services;

Your school district must uphold these rights under the law.

Connect with the local homeless education liaison in your school district to receive help. Every school district is required to designate a local homeless education liaison, who is responsible for helping children and youth experiencing homelessness and connecting them with relevant local resources.

*Note: this contact information may change frequently due to staff turnover. If you have problems finding the right school district homeless liaison, please contact your state homeless education coordinator
If you are pregnant and/or have young children experiencing homelessness, a program called Head Start may be able to help. Children experiencing homelessness are eligible for Head Start (preschool for three and four year olds) and Early Head Start (infants and toddlers). These programs must locate and recruit children experiencing homelessness, and prioritize them for enrollment. Homeless children can start attending without proof of age or immunizations. The best way to find local programs is to contact your Head Start State Collaboration Office . You also can look through this directory of local programs .

Get resources and activities for your children from Sesame Street in Communities , including tips for how to talk to your child about homelessness and how to create a feeling of home even if you are moving around a lot.

If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, or in need of medical, emotional, or physical support, please see this list of national hotlines that provide an array of services. All hotlines listed are national hotlines providing 24/7 support across the United States.

If you are an educator, service provider, or community organization, you have a critical role to play in helping to connect children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness to school.

1. Look Closer
Homelessness for families and youth is hidden. Many communities lack shelters for families and youth, and families and youth may fear shelter - especially after COVID-19. For these reasons, families and youth are much more likely to stay temporarily with other people, or in motels, than in shelters. These situations are often unstable, and sometimes unsafe. Public schools and early childhood programs use a definition of homelessness that includes families and youth who are staying:

with someone else temporarily because they lost housing, or a similar reason

in a motel due to lack of adequate alternatives

in shelters or transitional housing

In campgrounds, cars, or in an outside or inadequate place.

Hearing children or parents talking about having to leave where they are staying, or staying with other people;

Being in public places during the school day,

Poor hygiene

Unmet medical/dental needs (not having Personal Protective Equipment (PPE))

Wearing the same clothes repeatedly

Social and behavioral challenges may include extreme shyness, withdrawal, or aggression; clinginess; difficulty with peer and/or adult relationships; poor attention span; and anxiety late in the school day.

If you are an educator, see these signs of potential homelessness during virtual learning.

2. Learn More
If you suspect a child, youth, or family may be experiencing homelessness, learn more by talking with them with sensitivity.

Remember that parents and youth are often afraid to share their situation and uncomfortable asking for help. Trauma-informed tips from the Office of Head Start for talking to parents experiencing homelessness include:

Be attentive to the stigma of homelessness and avoid using the word "homeless"

Talk with the family privately

Be conversational so that families do not feel interrogated

Request permission to ask questions

Share your commitment to problem-solving and sharing resources with the family

Avoid unnecessary questions that may cause embarrassment

Explain the reasons for your questions

Show respect by conveying that you see the parents as the experts on their family

Apply active listening skills that demonstrate compassion and respect

3. Act
Help families and youth experiencing homelessness connect to resources at school and exercise their right to an education. Public schools are required to identify, enroll, and serve homeless children and youth. Specific rights include:

Staying in the same school even if they move, and receiving transportation to that school, as long as it is in the student's best interest;

Enrolling in school immediately without the documents schools usually require;

Receiving free school meals;

Getting help with school supplies and other needs;

Connecting young children with early childhood services.

To help parents and youth exercise their rights, connect parents or youth to their local homeless education liaison, a position required by federal law that is responsible for identifying children and youth experiencing homelessness and connecting them with relevant local resources.

* Note: this contact information may change frequently due to staff turnover. If you have problems finding the right school district homeless liaison, please contact your state homeless education coordinator

To help parents who are pregnant and/or have young children experiencing homelessness, a program called Head Start may be able to help. Children experiencing homelessness are eligible for Head Start (preschool for three and four year olds) and Early Head Start (infants and toddlers). These programs must locate and recruit children experiencing homelessness and prioritize them for enrollment. Homeless children can start attending without proof of age or immunizations. The best way to find local programs is to contact your Head Start State Collaboration Office . You also can look through this directory of local programs .
To help your community and schools improve outreach to families and youth: