DPI McKinney-Vento Training Module
DPI has created a training module to support educators and staff who interact with homeless students. The module provides in-depth professional development for school staff on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and serve to help grow an understanding of law’s purpose and requirements as well as to address each component of the law and provide a scenario for participants to test their knowledge. There is a review built into the end of each situation and an option to receive an email notification upon completion of each module. The module also provide resources for staff supporting students experiencing homelessness.
Training Resources
Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Fall Webinar, 2017
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act State (DPI) to CESA/District Training
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, State Homeless Coordinators, April 2017
- Wisconsin McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison Webinar PowerPoint Presentation
Wisconsin State Homeless Coordinators, September 2016
- 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.
- Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness - Video
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This short, animated video is recommended for the homeless liaison to share at an all-staff inservice to promote awareness of the issues facing students who are experiencing homelessness and the district’s responsibilities to help meet those needs.
- Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Transition Program Video Addressing Homeless Children and Youth. This 15 minute video includes interviews with students and parents/guardians who are experiencing homelessness. The video sheds light on the unique experiences of these individuals and is a resource that promotes awareness of the barriers to participation and achievement in school and the effects on homeless children and youth.
- Enrolling a Family Sample Video Simulation
New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students
- SPENT
Interactive poverty simulation. SPENT was launched as a collaboration between McKinney and Urban Ministries of Durham.
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Sample Questions to Ask the Students or Parents for Information Gathering
The following questions are designed to assist in gathering information from families or youth to determine the extent to which their living arrangement is fixed, regular, and adequate. - “Appendix A: Preparing LEA Role Groups to Identify Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness” of the National Center for Homeless Education’s (NCHE’s) “Identifying Children and Youth in Homeless Situations” issue brief.
This issue brief identifies specific staff roles within a local educational agency (LEA), the staff member's connection with students, and what training can be provided to ensure staff understand their connection with students and their responsibilities.
- The McKinney-Vento Act as Amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. This short video explains the changes to the McKinney-Vento Act under ESSA. Local educational agencies and LEAs can use this information to update school board policies, procedures, promotional materials including brochures and public notices, and other information to reflect the updates to the law. Please see the Legal Updates section of the Monitoring page for more information.
- National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) Online Training
- National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) Homeless Liaison Toolkit
The most comprehensive resource for local liaisons for homeless children and youth.
Local Educational Agency (LEA) Assessment
The McKinney-Vento Compliance Review LEA Assessment is a tool developed by DPI for LEA use. The purpose of this assessment is to allow an LEA to evaluate the current state of its homeless education program. Along with a more comprehensive needs assessment an LEA can more effectively coordinate efforts to address barriers to the academic success of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Consider answering the following questions in conjunction with the LEA Assessment:
What does your LEA do well?
What opportunities do you see for your LEA to create awareness of the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness?
What opportunities do you see for your LEA to create awareness of the challenges facing students experiencing homelessness?
What barriers do you see that your LEA could eliminate?
What collaborative partnerships could be expanded or reinforced?
Wisconsin Homeless Resources
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.
- Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services (WAHRS)
- Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Wisconsin's Continuum of Care Organizations
- Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County
Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County is a partnership of agencies, funders, advocates, and formerly homeless persons committed to preventing and ending homelessness.
- Milwaukee Continuum of Care
The City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County Continuum of Care’s mission is to organize people and resources to end homelessness in Milwaukee.The Milwaukee Continuum of Care covers the City of Milwaukee, City of West Allis, City of Wauwatosa and the remainder of Milwaukee County.
- The Continuum of Care for the City and County of Racine, U.A.
The Continuum of Care for the City and County of Racine, U.A. (CoC) is an unincorporated association of nonprofit agencies, government, and other stakeholders working to prevent and end homelessness in Racine County, Wisconsin. The goal of the CoC is to prevent and end homelessness in Racine County.
- Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care (WIBOSCOC)
The Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care (WIBOSCOC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving all the counties in Wisconsin, except Dane, Milwaukee, and Racine. Membership is comprised of agencies who serve, support, and care about those experiencing homelessness.
- Homeless Services Consortium of Dane County
- National Runaway Safeline (800) 786-2929
For questions about this information, please contact our State EHCY Coordinators Kristine Nadolski at (608) 267-7338 and Karen Rice at (608) 267-1284.