The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth ... - State of Michigan

3. Designing and implementing strategies to maximize
school stability and provide transportation.
“ The educational implications of placement changes must be one of the top issues
considered.”
— Margaret Harner 45
Children experiencing homelessness change schools frequently due to the
exigencies of searching for safe shelter. Youth in out-of-home care change
schools frequently due to changes in their living placements. Such moves
often result from a lack of available, appropriate placements; changes in the
ultimate permanency plan for the youth; or crises in placements that require
an immediate change. Regardless of the reasons for a placement change, child
welfare agencies can minimize school changes by prioritizing placement of
youth in the same residential community and intensifying efforts to maintain
placement stability.
To maximize the school stability of youth in care, child welfare agencies
should:
• Stay current on every youth’s educational progress.
• Significantly increase efforts to recruit and retain foster homes and
other placements in areas from which large numbers of youth tend
to enter care.
• Significantly increase efforts to place youth near their schools of
origin, both when youth initially enter care and for subsequent
placement changes.
• Change placements between school years or semesters or at other
natural school breaks whenever possible.
• Increase efforts to identify appropriate, stable environments for
older youth.
• Provide support services specifically related to educational success.
Educators also have an important role to play in keeping youth stable in
their foster placements. If students experience success and connections in
school, with support to decrease emotional stress and increase self-esteem,
34 The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement