The National Center for Homeless Education at SERVE creates and distributes a number of valuable and informative resources dealing with the issue of education of homeless children and youth. NCHE products and publications can be: Downloaded from our website in electronic format. (may be reproduced as needed) Ordered in hard copy online or by faxing or mailing in the free products order form. (up to the product limit per agency per school year free of charge) Ordered in hard copy by faxing or mailing in the sales order form. (for orders in excess of the product limit; follow the instructions at the top of the form) Enrollment: Ready Reference for School (enrollment foldout) This handy foldout booklet assists local homeless education liaisons and enrollment personnel in understanding the legal guidelines for the immediate school enrollment of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It explains the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act related to enrollment and suggests strategies for implementing enrollment procedures that comply with federal law. Its compact size and foldout format make it a great desktop reference. Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 10 per agency per school year) Enrollment Foldout NCHE brochure This brochure explains the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness and provides information about NCHE's mission and services, including the NCHE national helpline. Download the NCHE brochure in English. (370K) Download the NCHE brochure in Spanish/español. (369K) Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 25 per agency per school year) NCHE brochure, English Parent booklet 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. Download the Parent booklet in English. (348K) Download the Parent booklet in Spanish/español. (1.41MB) Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 10 per agency per school year) Parent booklet, English Parent Pack Pocket Folder This sturdy, laminated folder provides parents a place to keep important records and documents related to their children's education. The folder also includes information on the rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness and helpful tips about enrollment and disenrollment. Available in Spanish/español and English. Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 10 per agency per school year) Parent Pack Pocket Folder, English Parent poster This poster explains who qualifies as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and lists the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Place these posters in your school or community to generate public awareness. Download the parent poster in English. (color, 11x17, 189K) Download the parent poster in English. (bw, 8 1/2 x 11, 326K) Download the parent poster in Spanish/español. (color, 11x17, 601K) Download the parent poster in Spanish/español. (bw, 8 1/2 x 11, 323K) Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 25 per agency per school year) Parent poster, English Support for Students Whose Families Have Lost Their Homes to Foreclosure brochure This brochure from NCHE provides information on how children and youth whose families have lost their home to foreclosure may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. Download the foreclosure brochure. (681K) Foreclosure brochure Support for Students Whose Families Have Lost Their Homes to Foreclosure poster This poster from NCHE provides information on how children and youth whose families have lost their home to foreclosure may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. Download the foreclosure poster. (color, 11x17, 873K) Foreclosure poster Surviving on Your Own: Information for Youth on How Schools Can Help (youth booklet) This pocket-sized booklet for unaccompanied youth explains how schools can help youth who are living on their own without a parent or guardian. It is made of a durable, laminated paper to resist wear and tear and fits easily inside a back pocket. Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 10 per agency per school year) Youth booklet Youth poster This poster explains who qualifies as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and lists the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Place these posters in your school or community to generate public awareness. Download the youth poster in English. (color, 11x17, 194K) Download the youth poster in English. (bw, 8 1/2 x 11, 741K) Download the youth poster in Spanish/español. (color, 11x17, 1.0MB) Download the youth poster in Spanish/español. (bw, 8 1/2 x 11, 588K) Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 25 per agency per school year) Youth poster, English A Look at Child Welfare from a Homeless Education Perspective Although navigating the child welfare system can be daunting for those working in the field of homeless education, local liaisons and others must determine whether children in the child welfare system are eligible for McKinney-Vento services and collaborate with child welfare staff. This document provides an overview of the U.S. child welfare system, the challenges children in care face, and practices to ensure their educational best interest. Download the document. (926K) Child Welfare publication A McKinney-Vento Toolbox: Constructing a Robust and Rigorous Homeless Education Program, In Case of Disaster and Every Day This toolbox is designed to help school districts implement the McKinney-Vento Act fully, so they can address the needs of children and youth experiencing homelessness on a daily basis and in times of disaster. The toolbox contains information and practical lessons learned and resources developed during the recovery process following the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes. Complete toolbox (4.55MB) Introduction and Table of Contents (357K) Toolbox Part I Developing Strong Community Collaborations, Including Disaster Planning and Mitigation (585K) Toolbox Part II Implementation of the McKinney-Vento Act, Including Disaster Response (1.11MB) Toolbox Part III Mental Health and Academic Success, Including Disaster Recovery (610K) Appendix 1 Topical Index (58K) Appendix 2 Comprehensive Community Stakeholders Chart (108K) Appendix 3 Glossary of Key Terms and Acronyms in Disaster Planning, Response, and Recovery (117K) Appendix 4 Sample Letter to a Collaborative Task Force Invitee (42K) Appendix 5 Issue Brief: Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services Under the McKinney-Vento Act (707K) Appendix 6 Sample Enrollment Forms (454K) Appendix 7 Questions for Discussing Enrollment Timing with Displaced Parents and Youth (52K) Appendix 8 School Selection: A Checklist for Decision Making (167K) Appendix 9 Enrollment Checklist (91K) Appendix 10 Issue Brief: Prompt and Proper Placement: Enrolling Students Without Records (353K) Appendix 11 Records Management Checklist (104K) Appendix 12 Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association Policies for Homeless Students (51K) Appendix 13 Contact List for Students Who Have Experienced a Traumatic Event (41K) Appendix 14 Sample Transportation Forms (220K) Appendix 15 Sample Free Meal Application Form (230K) Appendix 16 Media Relations Tip Sheet (51K) Appendix 17 Disaster Assessment and Referral Tool for Children and Adolescents (333K) Appendix 18 Disaster Mental Health Plan Checklist (167K) Appendix 19 Sample Case Management Form (50K) Appendix 20 Quick-Start Disaster Response Tool (57K) Appendix 21 State Coordinators' Companion (60K) A McKinney-Vento Toolbox Collaborations of Schools and Social Service Agencies This report explores collaborative efforts of schools and social service agencies working with homeless children and families. The report identifies frequently encountered barriers and successful strategies to overcome them. It examines specific programs and practices that could be adapted effectively for use in similar settings by school-level educators, local homeless liaisons, state homeless coordinators, social service workers, and other personnel who work in any capacity with homeless students. Download the report in Microsoft Word format. (492K) Download the report in PDF format. (331K) Collaboration Report Connecting Schools and Displaced Students Handbook Series This handbook series explains how the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act applies to students displaced by disaster and how the Act can assist these students and their families. Each handbook in the series targets information to either parents of displaced children, relief agencies, or educators. Download After the Storm: Information for Parents on How Schools Can Help After Disasters (A Handbook for Parents)* (707K) Download Disaster Relief Agencies and Schools: Working Together to Ensure School Enrollment and Success (A Handbook for Local Liaisons and State Coordinators)* (566K) Download From the School Office to the Classroom: Strategies for Enrolling and Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (A Handbook for Local Liaisons, Enrollment Staff, and District Administrators)* (1.69MB) Download School as a Safety Net: Connecting Displaced Children With Educational and Support Services (A Handbook for Relief Agency Staff and Volunteers)* (1.19MB) Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 10 per agency per school year) These handbooks were originally created to print in booklet format. To make printing easier, they are available for download in handbook format. For the original booklet-format file, e-mail homeless@serve.org Enrolling Displaced Students Handbook Effective Teachers of At-Risk and Highly Mobile Students: A Review of the Literature This study, designed jointly by the National Center for Homeless Education and The College of William and Mary, explores the critical role of the classroom teacher in contributing to the education of at-risk and highly mobile students. The study includes a review of the literature on the effective teaching of at-risk and highly mobile students and an exploration of the beliefs and practices of six teachers who won national and/or state awards for working with these populations. Download the review. (1.02MB) Effective Teachers Literature Review Guide for Federally Required State Data Collection This Guide is designed to assist State Coordinators for Homeless Education in working with their local liaisons and state data managers to collect and report data accurately as stipulated in the McKinney-Vento section of the Consolidated State Performance Report (CSPR). Download the guide. (879K) Data Guide Homeless Education Issue Briefs These series of briefs discuss selected issues pertaining to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and offer strategies for implementation. Best Practices in Homeless Education series Confirming Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Services: Do’s and Don’ts for Local Liaisons Confirming Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Services: Do’s and Don’ts for School Districts Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services Under the McKinney-Vento Act Housing Agency and School District Collaborations to Serve Homeless and Highly Mobile Students Guiding the Discussion on School Selection Immediate Enrollment Under McKinney-Vento: How Local Liaisons Can Keep Homeless Students Safe Immediate Enrollment Under McKinney-Vento: How Schools Can Keep Homeless Students Safe Immigrant and Homeless: Information for Local Liaisons Immigrant and Homeless: Information for School District Title III Programs and Community Agencies Navigating the Intersections of IDEA and McKinney-Vento: A Problem-Solving Process Prompt and Proper Placement: Enrolling Students without Records Supporting Homeless Students with Disabilities: Implementing IDEA Connecting Schools and Displaced Students series Meeting the Educational Needs of Students Displaced by Disasters: Youth on Their Own What Relief Agencies Should Know About the Educational Rights of Children Displaced by Disasters What School District Administrators Should Know About the Educational Rights of Children Displaced by Disasters Helping You Help Your Child: Information for Parents School Help for Homeless Children with Disabilities: Information for Parents McKinney-Vento Law Into Practice series Dispute Resolution Updated January 2008 Domestic Violence, Homelessness, and Children's Education Enrollment Updated February 2008 Identifying Students in Homeless Situations Updated February 2008 Including Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness in State and Local School District Accountability Systems Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004: Provisions for Homeless Children and Youth with Disabilities Introduction to the Issues Customizable fourth page (companion to Introduction to the Issues) Local Homeless Education Liaisons Updated May 2008 Migrant Children and Youths Experiencing Homelessness School Selection Summary of McKinney-Vento Act and Title I Provisions The McKinney-Vento Act at a Glance Updated January 2008 Title I and Homelessness Transportation Unaccompanied Homeless Youth What LEA Administrators Should Know Updated January 2008 What Service Providers Should Know Updated January 2008 When Legal Guardians Are Not Present: Enrolling Students on Their Own Who is Homeless? Introduction to the Issues brief Increasing School Stability for Students Experiencing Homelessness: Overcoming Challenges to Providing Transportation to the School of Origin This monograph reviews the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as related to the provision of transportation to the school of origin, and provides recommendations for implementing the transportation mandate. Recommendations are based on interviews with local homeless education liaisons and pupil transportation directors from eight school districts across the country. Sample district policies and documents are included. Download the monograph with appendices. (1.85MB) Download the monograph without appendices. (116K) Transportation monograph Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit The Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit is a comprehensive resource that will assist both new and veteran local liaisons in carrying out their responsibilities. The Toolkit, updated in 2007, contains over 250 pages of the most useful and current information on supporting the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Cd-rom orders are limited to 1; however, the files contained on the cd-rom may be copied and distributed freely. Select the file name below to download: Complete toolkit (5.68MB) Chapters 1-7 (1.74MB) Appendix A The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (582K) Appendix B Related Legislation (964K) Appendix C Awareness Materials (1.89MB) Appendix D Enrollment Tools (383K) Appendix E Assessment and Data Collection Tools (725K) Appendix F Sample LEA Homeless Education Policy (367K) Appendix G School-Level Point of Contact Form (268K) Appendix H Collaboration Resources (354K) Appendix I Transportation Resources (336K) Appendix J Homeless Education Issue Briefs (565K) Appendix K Frequently Asked Questions (447K) Appendix L Tip Sheets (718K) Appendix M Homeless Education Webpage Development (304K) Appendix N Training Resources (580K) Appendix O Research and Information on Homeless Education (549K) Appendix P National Partners in Homeless Education (282K) Appendix Q Resources and Services Available Through NCHE (431K) Order this product on cd-rom. (free product limit: 1 per agency per school year) Local Liaison Toolkit McKinney-Vento Data Standards and Indicators Guidebook This NCHE guidebook will assist McKinney-Vento programs with the collection and reporting of outcome data. It will help program staff become familiar with the current set of McKinney-Vento standards and indicators, understand the purposes of these standards and indicators, assess the strengths and challenges associated with the collection of data on each of the standards, and develop strategies for implementing the standards and indicators at the program level. Download the guidebook. (1.09MB) Standards and Indicators Guidebook McKinney-Vento Data Standards and Indicators - 2006 Revisions This NCHE resource provides an updated version of the original five Standards and Indicators for Quality McKinney-Vento Programs developed in 2000. Reflecting provisions in the reauthorized McKinney-Vento Act and five years of effective practice, the revision includes 10 standards and proposed indicators that are comprehensive and quantifiable. Also included is a guide for developing program benchmarks. Download the 2006 revisions. (728K) Standards and Indicators - 2006 Revisions Reading on the Go! Reading on the Go! is a two-volume project that explores reading instruction for students experiencing high mobility as a result of high poverty. Reading on the Go! (Vol 1): Students Who Are Highly Mobile and Reading Instruction, reviews the characteristics of highly mobile students and provides a literature review of reading instruction, with a focus on the research on reading and high poverty in an effort to help practitioners better understand the needs of highly mobile students and inform their selection and structure of programs by making research-based decisions. Reading on the Go! (Vol 2) A Handbook of Resources discusses the implementation of reading programs. Volume 2 is based on the literature reviewed in Volume 1 but was also shaped by the voice of practitioners captured through focus groups and site visits. Volume 2 focuses on supplemental instruction and children experiencing homelessness in preschool and elementary grades. Volume 1 Complete manuscript (Vol 1) (331K) Title and table of contents (85K) Executive summary (26K) Chapter 1 - Reading and Highly Mobile Students (106K) Chapter 2 - General Educational Support Systems for Highly Mobile Students (52K) Chapter 3 - Theory and Research in Reading Instruction (100K) Chapter 4 - Characteristics of Effective Schools and Classrooms in the Teaching of Reading (64K) Chapter 5 - The Components of Language and Reading Instruction (135K) Chapter 6 - Concluding Thoughts (21K) References (46K) Volume 2 Complete manuscript (Vol 2) (1.46MB) Chapters (1.72MB) Appendices (288K) References and Resources (58K) Reading on the Go! State Coordinator's Handbook for LEA Monitoring This document is designed to assist State Coordinators for Homeless Education in the development and implementation of an effective monitoring process that includes all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), those with and without McKinney-Vento subgrants. Based on the experiences of veteran State Coordinators and others with information to share about the monitoring process, this handbook discusses challenges and strategies related to monitoring LEAs for compliance with the legislative requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. State Coordinators will also find sample tools for use in developing, adapting, and customizing their own monitoring process. Download the handbook. (345K) State Coordinator's Handbook for LEA Monitoring State Coordinator's Handbook for Supporting Local Homeless Education Liaisons The State Coordinator's Handbook for Supporting Local Homeless Education Liaisons is a useful tool to assist State Coordinators for Homeless Education in implementing the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act in their state. The Handbook provides information and strategies compiled from State Coordinators across the country for identifying local liaisons (as required by federal law), training liaisons in their role, and maintaining ongoing communication with liaisons. The handbook, developed by NCHE in collaboration with the College of William and Mary, is intended to be a companion document to the Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit. It also provides sample forms and a PowerPoint presentation introducing the Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit. Select the file name below to download: Table of Contents (39K) Complete handbook (chapters and appendices) (6.07MB) Chapters 1-4 (436K) Appendix A Sample Letter Requesting that a Local Homeless Education Liaison Be Identified (51K) Appendix B Sample Liaison Welcome Letter (43K) Appendix C Sample Update Postcard and E-mail (42K) Appendix D Sample Welcome Letter for a Replacement Local Homeless Education Liaison (53K) Appendix E State Forms: (54K) State Information Form Sample Technical Assistance/Barrier Tracking Form Appendix F Presentation: Introduction to the Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit Packet (1.82MB) Appendix F Presentation - PowerPoint format (290K) Appendix F Presentation - HTML format (3K) Appendix G Workshop: Exploring the Local Homeless Education Liaison Toolkit Packet (4.13MB) Appendix G Presentation - PowerPoint format (6.94MB) Appendix G Presentation - HTML format (3K) About SERVE (48K) State Coordinator's Handbook Students on the Move: Reaching and Teaching Highly Mobile Children and Youth This handbook, a joint publication of the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) and the ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, synthesizes research on the education of various subpopulations of students who tend to be highly mobile and explores commonalities and differences among these groups. Subpopulations explored include migratory children and youth, children and youth experiencing homelessness, children of military families, and students experiencing mobility on a global scale. Download Students on the Move. (3.88MB) Students on the Move The Legal Glossary: A Crosswalk of Federal Laws and Programs Affecting Children, Youth, and Families Experiencing Homelessness This glossary is a basic guide to the principal federal laws and programs that affect children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. It is designed to provide local homeless education liaisons and state coordinators for homeless education with a straightforward overview of federal programs for homeless children and youth. Although it provides only basic information on each law and program, it can assist local liaisons and state coordinators in their efforts to collaborate with other agencies and provide comprehensive services to homeless children and youth. Download The Legal Glossary. (670K) The Legal Glossary The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement (NAEHCY publication: distributed in hard copy by NCHE) This 2008 report from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY), made possible with support from Casey Family Programs, describes how eight jurisdictions are defining awaiting foster care placement and how they are implementing the McKinney-Vento Act for youth in out-of-home care. It offers concrete strategies for building and maintaining effective collaborations between child welfare and education agencies and supporting the educational success of youth in care. Download The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement. Order this product in hard copy. (free product limit: 10 per agency per school year) The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement Unaccompanied and Homeless Youth Review of Literature (1995-2005) This review is based on literature published between 1995 and 2005 on issues concerning unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness. It provides an overview of the challenges these young people face and includes research about why they leave their homes, how they live after leaving, and what interventions are being used to assist them. Download the review. (122K) Unaccompanied and Homeless Youth Review of Literature (1995-2005)
NCHE Home | About NCHE | What's New? | NCHE Products and Resources | Legislation Information by Topic | Online Forum | State/Local Resources | Best Practices | Disaster Planning Site Map | Search The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) is associated with The SERVE Center at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. This website was produced with funding from the U.S. Department of Education, on contract no. ED-01-CO-0092/0001.