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

4. Ensure that education and child welfare
agencies have staff with sufficient training
and capacity to ensure immediate enrollment,
attendance, and services.
“ There’s not enough advocacy for us in school. We need people to advocate for us, make
sure we’re getting the make-up work we need, and help teachers understand what
we’re going through. And we need people to check up on us. My caseworker checked up
on my living situation, but not my school.”
— Rebecca Shier 46
Without adequate staff resources in education and child welfare agencies,
the McKinney-Vento Act’s protections will not reach all the youth who
are eligible. Both agencies must be able to count on sufficient numbers of
trained staff, at both the state and local level, to support youth’s immediate
enrollment and stability in school.
To address this concern, some child welfare agencies have hired education
specialists. These specialists serve many functions, including:
• Raising the priority and visibility of education issues in the child
welfare agency
• Serving as a liaison between caseworkers and schools
• Assisting with educational decisions and services, including school
enrollment and special education
• Training caseworkers about the importance of education and
relevant laws, including the McKinney-Vento Act
• Training educators about the child welfare agency’s policies and
practices, the consequences of abuse and neglect, and strategies to
support youth in out-of-home care
Both Massachusetts and Connecticut have incorporated education specialists
into their child welfare agencies, either as employees or through contracts
with private agencies. By developing relationships with homeless liaisons
and other school staff, they are able to address education-related challenges.
Strategies for Improving Educational Outcomes through School Stability 37