One issue surrounding this topic is related to identification of these students. Oftentimes, too many students go unnoticed and unidentified, therefore, it is important for all members of the school staff to be aware of the requirements related to identification and the definition of homelessness.

National Center for Homeless Education. (2021). Student Homelessness in America: School years 2017-18 to 2019-20. National Center for Homeless Education. https://nche.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Student-Homelessness-in-America-2021.pdf

One of the resources found within The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth is a document that provides questions and answers regarding homeless students receiving special education services. This guidance document provides service providers, educators, parents, liaisons, students, administrators, and advocates, answers to questions based on regulations, statutes, relevant case law, guidance, and best practice from around the country. 

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth & The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty. (2016, September). The most frequently asked questions on the education rights of children in homeless situations: Students receiving special education and related services. https://naehcy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/FAQIDEA.pdf

• McKinney Vento grants can help provide the school districts financial support and resources, but these services are most likely not enough. This story educates the public on what supports are provided through the school district, such as transportation and free breakfast and lunch at school.

• This story mentions the rise of homeless students, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, and how school districts are becoming more knowledgeable with identifying these students. It informs the public about the McKinney Vento law and the eligibility requirements. It also informs the public that many of these students are still going unnoticed.

• This story provides examples of how districts throughout Nebraska work with outside resources and nonprofit organizations to better provide support to these students and their families.

  • coordination with local non-profit organizations to provide assistance with clothing and food vouchers as well as bill pay for electric and heating.

  • coordination to get these students and their families access to mental health services and housing.

• This story also educates the community and public on how these students are being impacted by their living situation.

  
  

Peal, J. (2024, October 16). It's a team effort to ensure rural students who are homeless get an equal education. Nebraska Public Media. https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/its-a-team-effort-to-ensure-rural-students-who-are-homeless-get-an-equal-education/

Reference List Citation for the Original Law: U.S. Const. amend. XIV.

Source of Law: Constitutional Law

URL: https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/

Summary of the Law: This law guarantees that no state will deny any individual, born or naturalized in the United States, an equal protection of laws. This law indicates that all children, no matter their status, have access to public education as well as basic rights and protections.

Reference List Citation for the Original Law:

Public Health and Welfare, 42 U.S.C. §11431. et seq. (2002).

Source of Law: Statutory Law

URL:https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter119/subchapter6/partB&edition=prelim

Summary of the Law: This law states that each child, who is homeless, receive a free and appropriate public education, including a preschool education, with equal access just as any other child/children. In addition, this policy ensures that each state will revise any laws, regulations, practices, or policies that would act as a barrier to the identification of enrollment, attendance, or success in school, for a homeless child or youth. Furthermore, this policy ensures that homelessness alone cannot be a reason to separate a student from the mainstream population, and lastly, children who are homeless should be provided access to education and other services in order to ensure that these children have an equal opportunity to meet the state’s academic standards just as all other students would.

Reference List Citation for the Original Law:

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. § 11301 et seq. (1987).  Retrieved from https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:11301%20edition:prelim)

Source of Law: Statutory Law

URL: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:42%20section:11301%20edition:prelim)

Summary of the Law: This law addresses homelessness and provides assistance to homeless individuals and their families. This law addresses the needs of homeless individuals and provides resources for services through a variety of things, including education.

Reference List Citation for the Original Law:

Tex. Ed Code, § 25.001; 25002 (n.d.). Retrieved from https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm

Source of Law: Statutory Law

URL: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm

Summary of the Law: This law provides the specific guidelines school districts must follow regarding enrollment and attendance. Students who are homeless are allowed to enroll at and attend school within their home district, even if they do not have the required documents, such as their immunization records or proof of residency. This law explains the accommodations that must be made to prevent the student from missing, thus hindering their education further.

Reference List Citation for the Original Law:

Alvord Independent School District. (2016). Board Policy. https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline/PolicyDetails?key=1256&code=FDC#localTabContent

Source of Law: Local Administrative Law

URL: https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline/PolicyDetails?key=1256&code=FDC#localTabContent

Summary of the Law: This policy addresses the details for procedures related to educating student who are homeless within Alvord ISD. Details noted indicate the district liaison duties and responsibilities as well as the admission procedures for students who are homeless, including the steps to take when a student enrolls. This policy states that a student will not be stigmatized or segregated due to homelessness. In addition, this policy provides the details of identifying the school of origin when a student is homeless and making the determination for the best interest of the student. This policy also provides the details of transportation as well as dispute resolution for a student who is homeless.

• Approximately 40% of the money allocated to these states remained unclaimed by the deadline. This is more than $280 million that was left unspent.

• This money, which is part of the American Rescue Plan Act, was to be spent on a variety of services for homeless students. Services include things such as transportation, food, clothes and training on identification of these students.

• It was reported that the school districts either did not know about these funds or had a difficult time in finding ways to use the funds.

• This article educated the public on how many homeless students there are in each of these states:

  • approximately 3,300 homeless students in Nebraska

  • approximately 6,500 homeless students in Iowa

  • approximately 6,600 homeless students in Kansas

  • approximately 32,000 homeless students in Missouri

• Many school districts later applied for extensions, and are in the process of reimbursement requests.

• The article mentions how this money is a one time thing, and that many school districts were not sure how to use the money since this was not something that would be continuous.

• The article explains the McKinney Vento law to the public.

Mansouri, K. (2024, November 21). Missed deadline to spend federal funds means homeless students will lose out on services. KCUR. https://www.kcur.org/education/2024-11-21/missed-deadline-to-spend-federal-funds-means-homeless-students-will-out-lose-out-on-services

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/44f30280-ffe8-4b41-9ad8-f15909c3d164/EthicalStandards.pdf

American School Counselors Association. (2024). The school counselor and students experiencing homelessness. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Working-with-Students-Exp

National Center for Homeless Education. (2020, August). Homeless Liaison Toolkit. https://nche.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Local-Liaison-Toolkit-2020.pdf