Best Practices
An After-School Tutoring Program for At-Risk and Homeless Children. Kenosha Unified School District, Kenosha, WI. Available for $30 (plus $5 s/h) from: Office of Educational Accountability, Kenosha Unified School District #1, 3600 52nd Street, Kenosha, WI 53144 (tel. 262/653-6259).
Annual Notice: Children Who Are Homeless
This document is a sample public notice of the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness, educational rights of students who are homeless, and contact information for a district’s homeless liaison.
Where the Heart Is
Kathleen, Vail, American School Board Journal, June 2003. This article describes how schools can make the difference for homeless students.
Where to Write for Vital Records
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Contact Vital Records if you want to obtain a copy of a birth certificate.
2009 Awareness Week Manual
National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, National Coalition for the Homeless and National Student Campaign Against Hunger & Homelessness, 2009.
Preschool
Best Practices for Identification and Enrollment of Homeless Preschool Children
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2011.
How Preschool Teachers Can Help Children Who Are Homeless
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2011.
Preschool Children and the McKinney-Vento Act
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2008. This document provides guidance on serving preschool children who are homeless.
Tips For Supporting Young Children Who Are Homeless
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2011.
Supporting Children who are Homeless and Highly Mobile
Unaccompanied Youth
Unaccompanied Children and Youth Who Are Homeless
McKinney-Vento Act: Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
National Center for Homeless Education, Law into Practice series, 2005.
Wisconsin Runaway Programs Listing
Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Youth, 2009.
Foster Care
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Policies
Foster Care and Adopted Youth Verification Form for the Purpose of Federal Financial Aid
Suggested Practices to Improve Educational Outcomes of Children Living in Foster Care
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction & Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, 2010. This document provides recommendations for school districts for children placed in foster care.
School Selection for Students in Out-of-Home Care
The Legal Center for Foster Care and Education & The National Center for Homeless Education, 2010. This brief provides a framework for local homeless liaisons, educators and child welfare workers to assess the best interests when selecting a school for students in out-of-home care.
When Working Together Works: Academic Success for Student in Out-of-Home Care
The Legal Center for Foster Care and Education & The National Center for Homeless Eduation, 2010. This brief can help educators and child welfare advocates work together to support the academic success of children and youth in out-of-home care.
Financial Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Policies
Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access College Financial Aid
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. This includes information on helping unaccompanied youth access financial aid for college.
Homeless Youth Verification Form For the Purpose of Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)
This is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that can be used by students who are homeless.
Foster Care and Adopted Youth Verification Form For the Purpose of Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA)
FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Youth Without Stable Housing
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, 2010. This tip sheet provides step by step guidance to unaccompanied youth for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Financial Aid Tip Sheet
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2011.
Dependency Status Definition Changes
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, 2009. This webpage lists the expanded criteria under which an undergraduate student is considered independent for the purposes of receiving federal financial aid for higher education. These changes became effective July 1, 2009.
ACT Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements and Procedures
National Center for Homeless Education, 2009. This two-page brochure from ACT describes the procedures that economically disadvantaged high school juniors or seniors should follow to receive a fee waiver for taking the ACT college entrance exam.
SAT Program Fee Waiver Service
This webpage from the College Board explains how a high school junior or senior can receive a fee waiver in order to take the SAT college entrance exam or SAT subject tests.
Income Tax and the FAFSA for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. This answers questions about the relationship between the filing of tax returns and a youth’s completion of FAFSA.
Scholarships
Scholarship information: Casey Family Scholars Program
This program is administered by the Orphan Foundation of America. Applicants must have been in state foster care. Priority status for those who have aged out of foster care.
Scholarship information: Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
This program is administered by the Orphan Foundation of America. It can offer up to $5,000 annually in tuition assistance to students out of foster care and attending accredited post-secondary programs. Students must apply by age 21. ETV is a first-come first-served program, so apply early.
Scholarship information: Fastweb
Fastweb provides a free scholarship search website to search for likely scholarship matches.
Scholarship information: Talent Incentive Program
Students can begin to apply for Talent Incentive Program (TIP grants). TIP grants are awarded on a first-come first-served basis.
Scholarship information: The Horatio Alger Association in partnership with the Give US Your Poor organization, offers 1,000 scholarships for homeless and at-risk students.
Scholarship information: LeTendre Scholarship Program
The LeTendre Scholarship program offers scholarships to senior students or recent graduates who are/were homeless, and who have demonstrated average or higher than average achievement. Applications are accepted throughout the year, and are awarded in the fall.
Scholarship information: Wisconsin Title I Scholarship Awards
The Wisconsin Title I Association awards up to three $1,500 scholarships to Wisconsin high school seniors who have participated in a Title I program sometime during their Early Childhood through Grade 12 school career.
Scholarship information: The Donald Driver Foundation Scholarship
The Donald Driver Foundation offers ten scholarships of $1,000 annually and are available to students in Mississippi, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Title I Funds
Use of Title I Funds for Homeless Students
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, October, 2011.
Transportation
Click here for examples of transportation forms created by districts.
Transportation Guidance under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2011.
Transportation Request
This request form is generic and can be used for any school district.
Transportation Strategies for Students Who Are Homeless
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2011.
PowerPoint and Visual Presentations
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act PowerPoint Presentation
National Center for Homeless Education and the U.S. Department of Education. A great resource for district and school in-service presentations.
Overview of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Kendra J. Vandertie, Appleton Area School District, September 2011.
Philanthropy, Advocacy, and Relationships
Allison Draheim, Green Bay School District, 2009.
R.E.A.D.Y.
Tamara Sutor, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District and Ann Forbeck, School District of Janesville, 2009. A set of sample forms for use to assist districts with homelessness.
School District of Janesville: Project HOPE
An eight minute video presentation regarding students who are homeless. Ann Forbeck, School District of Janesville, 2009.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. "McKinney-Vento Act 101 - Streaming Video." Madison: WDPI, 2005.
This workshop on the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act runs one hour and 15 minutes.
There may be a 15-20 second delay before the player window appears.
Available Online
School Selection Forms for Students who are Homeless
The school selection form can be used as part of the district enrollment packet that all parents/youth receive at the time of enrollment. Response to the form may determine student eligibility for McKinney-Vento services.
School Selection Form
A generic form that the parent/guardian of students who are homeless can use for school selection.
Parent Information
Parent Booklet
National Center for Homeless Education. This brochure explains the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness and informs parents about ways in which they can support their children's education during times of mobility.
Parent Orientation of McKinney-Vento Act
National Center for Homeless Education. This 11 minute web-based orientation explains the education rights of students who are homeless to parents and if your child qualifies for services.
School Libraries
Serving Homeless Children in the School Library, Part 1
School Library Monthly/Volume XXVII, Number 3/December 2010
Serving Homeless Children in the School Library, Part 2
School Library Monthly/Volume XXVII, Number 4/January 2011
Resources in Your Community
Listed below are state-wide organizations that provide resources that can assist district staff in helping families, children, and youth in their communities.
ACCESS
Wisconsin Department of Health Services website. ACCESS is an internet tool. It can help individuals see if they or a family member might be eligible to receive benefits, such as: Food Share; Medicaid; Badger Care Plus; Senior Care; WIC – Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; Free/Reduced-Price School Meals; Summer Food Service Program; The Emergency Food Assistance Program and tax credits.
Cover the Insured
Includes a guide to finding health insurance coverage options in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Includes an alphabetical county by county listing of domestic abuse services in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Front Door
The Wisconsin Front Door provides information about community agencies by county that offer services to families and youth who are homeless.
Wisconsin Front Door
This section of Front Door can also help you find rental housing by location, specific address, or school district. The website provides an affordability calculator and other resources for your housing search.
Wisconsin Women’s Health Guide
This guide is a resource for county agencies and health care providers who work with women and families.
Associations/Organizations
For questions about this information, contact Lara Kain (608) 267-7338
Last updated on 11/1/2011 11:10:58 AM
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