|
 |
How School Support
|
Immediate Assistance
-
Be familiar with the common characteristics of homeless children so that you can identify and assist them without undue delay.
-
Contact students' previous school to obtain records and to document previous services.
-
Contact your school administrator and the student's teacher when you identify a homeless student in the school, so that needed services can be provided.
-
Ensure that homeless children are provided transportation and equal opportunity to participate in school programs and after-school activities.
-
Help in having activity fees waived and in obtaining school supplies and other materials needed for activities.
-
Obtain parental consent to talk to the student's teachers to inform them of the family's current living situation and how this may affect the student's ability to perform academically.
-
Regularly inform shelter staff about school programs, services, and activities.
-
Become knowledgeable about the requirements of the McKinny-Vento Act and Arizona State regulations pertaining to the education of homeless children. Be able to explain these requirements to other school staff.
Continuing Care
-
Visit local shelters to become familiar with their guests and staff and to develop positive relationships with shelter staff.
-
Communicate to parents the need for school attendance and learning to promote their child's success and development.
-
Communicate with parents about their child's educational rights and their child's performance at school.
-
Build a trusting relationship with homeless students that does not focus on their current living situation.
-
Be assertive in getting academic assistance for homeless students to help them keep up with their academic work and improve their basic skills.
Expanding Outreach
-
Maintain regular contact with shelter staff and work with them to coordinate services for homeless families.
-
Become knowledgeable about local community resources in order to make referrals for food, housing, transportation, and counseling.
Source
What Student Support Services Staff Can Do to Help Homeless Students. (n.d.)
Opening Doors, Illinois State Board of Education
Retrieved on August 28, 2001, from http://www.lth3.k12.il.us/openingdoors/schools/supportservices.htm
