Grant Forms, Frequently Used Forms, and Guidance Documents

INFORMATION REGARDING:

•Grant Overview •2011-12 Grant Application •2010-11 Grant Reporting Forms •Frequently Used Forms •Federal Guidance •State Guidance •McKinney-Vento Handbook for Homeless Liaisons

Grant Overview

Program Description
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) grant program receives an annual grant award from the United States Department of Education (USDE). EHCY grant funds are competitive and discretionary. The EHCY grant program is based on a three-year grant cycle.

Who is Eligible to Apply
Public school districts that have identified an average of 31 or more students as homeless over a three-year time period have the option to apply for an EHCY program grant.

Amount of Funds Available
Varies annually. Generally, about $800,000 of grant awards are made available to public school districts.

Application Due Date
June 8th

WESSAS Account Information
Title X 2554-21-141

For More Information
Lara Kain, Education Consultant, EHCY Program
(608) 267-7338
lara.kain@dpi.wi.gov

Carolyn Parkinson, Education Consultant, EHCY Program
(608) 267-1284
carolyn.parkinson@dpi.wi.gov

2011-12 EHCY Grant Application

Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Mid-Year Program Report (PI-7504)

The EHCY grant program is based on a three-year grant cycle. This is year three of the cycle. Only districts who received the grant the past two years may apply for the continuation grant.

The Three-Year Continuation EHCY grant application window is now closed. Please contact Lara Kain, Education Consultant and EHCY Coordinator at (608) 267-7338 or lara.kain@dpi.wi.gov for additional information.

2010-11 Grant Reporting Forms

Annual Wisconsin Student Number (WSN) Report of Homeless Students Enrolled under the McKinney-Vento Grant

Frequently Used Forms

• Documents Created by DPI

Local Use Form Homeless Student Identification (PI-Q03-8)

Community Information Directory




How to Fill Out the Community Information Directory Template Directions

Authorization for Release or Exchange of Information

McKinney-Vento Checklist



• Examples of Forms Created by Districts

This section provides examples of various forms created by districts. These forms are not required by DPI. Rather, they are tools districts can use to improve McKinney-Vento services.




District Homeless Policy and Procedure
The Tomahawk School District's homeless policy and procedure.




Student/Family Residence Questionnaire
The Madison Metropolitan School District has developed a Student/Family Residence Questionnaire form to determine eligibility for services.




Transitional Education Service Plan
The Middleton/Cross Plains School District has developed a transitional education service plan form to keep track of homeless students.




McKinney-Vento Homeless Referral Form
This form was developed by Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA) 11.




School District of Janesville’s Personal Service Contract
Janesville contracts with an individual to provide transportation for preschool and elementary students who are homeless. Janesville has been able to eliminate the use of taxicabs. This contract is between the school district and the individual who provides transportation.




Madison Metropolitan School District’s Homeless Transportation Agreement form
This form can serve as model for coordinating transportation in your district.




Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District’s Transportation Inter-district Agreement
Middleton’s agreement can serve as a model for a transportation agreement.




Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District’s Parent Transportation Contract



Ashwaubenon Gas Card Agreement



Ashwaubenon Voluntary Survey
Ashwaubenon School District, 2009. This survey can be completed upon enrollment to help district staff determine if a student is eligible for McKinney-Vento services.




Self Identification Form for Homeless and Highly Mobile Students
Minneapolis Public Schools, 2007.




Shawano School District: Student Residency Questionnaire





School Selection Form
This form was created by CESA 11.

Federal Guidance

Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program: Non-regulatory Guidance
U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: USDE, July 2004

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
U.S. Department of Education. Washington, DC: USDE.

Educational rights posters explains who qualifies as homeless and the educational rights of students (English and Spanish) by the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) or 1-800-308-2145.

Questions and Answers on Special Education and Homelessness
Office of Special Education Programs, February 2008. Guidance document

State Guidance

Common Signs of Homelessness
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2009

School Records and Privacy Rights for Homeless Children and Youth
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Homeless Bulletin Series 03. Madison: WDPI, August 2003

10 Strategies Districts Can Use to Help Homeless Children
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2004.

How Teachers Can Help Homeless Students
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2009.

Open Enrollment and Tuition Waiver for Homeless Students
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2006.

Team Approach to Support Highly Mobile and Homeless Students
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2009.

Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youth
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2005.
Posters available in English, Spanish, and Hmong languages. Available (10 copies/$10 plus s/h) using online order form

Schools Working with Domestic Violence Agencies and Homeless Children
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2004.This is a joint guidance document with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

WIAA Displaced/Homeless Student Eligibility Process
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2008. The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association's criteria to determine if displaced/homeless students are eligible for athletic activities. WIAA Form

McKinney-Vento Resources
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2009. A listing of resources developed by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) to help homeless liaisons provide McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act services in their school districts.

Do’s and Don’ts for District Homeless Liaisons and Enrollment Staff
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2009. Strategies for homeless liaisons to effectively identify and enroll children and youth experiencing homelessness.

McKinney-Vento Handbook for Homeless Liaisons

• McKinney-Vento the Law

This section includes the full text of the federal legislation regarding the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness; the definition of homelessness under McKinney-Vento; the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Act for school districts and homeless liaisons; and a brief overview of the key provisions of the Act.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Definition of Homelessness
Requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
McKinney-Vento Act at a Glance


• DPI Guidance

This section includes strategies to identify and enroll children and youth experiencing homelessness; strategies school districts can implement to identify and work with students and families who are homeless; transportation strategies; guidance to working with homeless students in domestic violence situations; and how Title I can remove education barriers for students who are homeless.

Ten Strategies School Districts Can Use to Help Homeless Students
Transportation Strategies for Students Who Are Homeless
Use of Title I Funds for Homeless Students
Title I Reservation Funds for Homeless Students


• Best Practice Documents

This section includes a local use form for compiling aggregate homeless student data; a sample form for authorizing release or exchange of information; a sample referral form; a sample annual notice for the McKinney-Vento Act; a sample newsletter article about the McKinney-Vento Act; a flyer for shelter staff describing how to help homeless children succeed in school; and guidance on school selection.

DPI's Local Use Form Homeless Student Identification (PI-Q03-8)
Sample Authorization for Release or Exchange of Information
CESA 11 Sample Referral Form for Homeless Students
Sample Annual Notice
Sample Newsletter Article:Families and Students in Transition
Sample Outreach Form:Information for Shelter Staff
Best Practices in Homeless Education: Guiding the Discussion on School Selection
Do's and Don'ts for District Homeless Liaisons and Enrollment Staff
Schools Working with Domestic Violence Agencies and Homeless Students


• How Staff Can Help Students Who Are Homeless

This section includes common signs of homelessness to help identify students who are homeless; strategies teachers and school staff can use to help students who are homeless; tips for school staff to increase educational access and success for children and youth experiencing homelessness; and a team approach that district and school staff can use to support highly mobile and homeless students.

Common Signs of Homelessness
How Teachers Can Help Students Who Are Homeless
Tips for School Personnel to Help Homeless Students
Team Approach to Support Highly Mobile and Homeless Students


• Community Information Directory

This section includes guidance on what community resource information may be provided to families that are homeless; a template for a sample community information directory; and directions on how to fill out the sample directory electronically.

Providing Community Agency Information
Community Information Directory Template PDF | PowerPoint
Directions on How to Fill Out the Commuity Information Directory Template


• Unaccompanied Youth

This section includes guidance on school districts’ responsibilities for unaccompanied youth; a 2009 listing of Wisconsin runaway programs; and services offered through DPI’s Career and Technical Education Program.

McKinney-Vento Act: Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Wisconsin Runaway Programs Listing
DPI's Career and Technical Education Program Information


• Financial Aid Information

This section includes the Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Programs to help educationally and economically disadvantaged students continue their education; information on the Wisconsin Title I association student scholarship; and guidance to help unaccompanied homeless youth access college financial aid.

Wisconsin Educational Opportunity Program Information
Wisconsin Title I Association Student Scholarship
Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access College Financial Aid


• Preschool Children

This section includes best practices for homeless preschool children including the identification and enrollment of preschool children who are homeless; information on an early childhood initiative to serve four year old children; and an annual notice of special education referral and evaluation procedures.

Preschool Children and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Best Practices for Homeless Preschool Children
Coaches Can Help: Community Approaches to Serving Four Year Old Children

For questions about this information, contact Lara Kain (608) 267-7338

Last updated on 1/20/2012 10:40:13 AM