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

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Fully implementing the McKinney-Vento Act for all eligible youth requires significant funding. In fact, current McKinney-Vento funding is insufficient to reach all the children and youth eligible for services under current law. Only 6% of school districts, serving roughly half of the homeless children and youth identified by schools, receive funds. Therefore, additional funding is desperately needed. 8. Involve youth in care and alumni in all policymaking endeavors. Young people must be active participants in all policy-making endeavors. Getting direct input from youth in out-of-home care strengthens the response and activities of child welfare and education agencies, from individual teachers and caseworkers to state and federal policy makers. Young people are the most experienced and well-informed experts available regarding their own strengths and challenges. “Young people have a lot to contribute. They bring energy, and fresh and unique perspectives; they may offer ideas and solutions that have not been considered or offer a new approach to an old idea. Youth also bring a unique range of knowledge about youth issues” 60 In addition to benefiting the collaborations, service providers, and youth receiving the services, youth involvement also contributes to the self-esteem and success of those who participate. Foster Care Alumni of America and other state groups of alumni from care are experts on policy and practice. Educators and child welfare agencies should take advantage of their profound expertise. 58 The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement
Conclusion As the efforts of jurisdictions highlighted in this publication show, effective collaboration across agencies can increase the academic success and overall well-being of youth in care. We encourage readers to examine the strategies described in this report and adapt them to best meet their local needs. However, to ensure that all youth in out-of-home care can benefit from school stability and support for academic success, changes to federal education and child welfare legislation are necessary. Strategies for Improving Educational Outcomes through School Stability 59
Page 1 and 2:
BUILDING FUTURES THROUGH EDUCATION
Page 3 and 4:
Table of Contents Executive Summary
Page 5 and 6:
Executive Summary “ Education was
Page 7 and 8:
meeting the child’s unique needs,
Page 9 and 10:
Treat youth in out-ofhome care with
Page 11 and 12: Educational Challenges of Homelessn
Page 13 and 14: This residential instability too of
Page 15 and 16: • As many as three-quarters of ol
Page 17 and 18: Overview of the McKinney-Vento Act
Page 19 and 20: (iii) children and youths who are l
Page 21 and 22: From Law into Practice: Strategies
Page 23 and 24: Public Schools, it took three years
Page 25 and 26: • Create an interagency task forc
Page 27 and 28: ENSURING REGULAR INTERAGENCY CONTAC
Page 29 and 30: and roundtable discussions with sch
Page 31 and 32: stakeholders to the table, such as
Page 33 and 34: Massachusetts • “Temporary, tra
Page 35 and 36: To summarize from narrower to broad
Page 37 and 38: for the duration of the school year
Page 39 and 40: they will be better able to manage
Page 41 and 42: 4. Ensure that education and child
Page 43 and 44: Whether they function as employees
Page 45 and 46: WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENROLLING TH
Page 47 and 48: WHO ARRANGES TRANSPORTATION? The lo
Page 49 and 50: • Immediate access to free school
Page 51 and 52: The program manager is now working
Page 53 and 54: circumstances will exchanged inform
Page 55 and 56: “ I had an amazing caseworker fro
Page 57 and 58: From Practice into Law: Policy Reco
Page 59 and 60: 2. Amend federal and state child we
Page 61: 6. Implement procedures for schools
Page 65 and 66: References Advocates for Children o
Page 67 and 68: Robertson, M., & Toro, P. (1999). H
Page 69 and 70: APPENDIX List of Interviewees Autho
Page 71 and 72: Endnotes 1 Personal communication,
Page 73 and 74: 26 Burley, M., & Halpern, M. (2001)
Page 76: For additional information, please
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