Homeless Support Program
Contents of this page:
- Bellingham Schools Policies and Procedures
- Common Signs of Homelessness
- Bellingham Schools Homeless Support
- For Families
- For Staff
- State & National Homeless Organizations
- Title I and Homelessness
- McKinney-Vento Act
Bellingham Schools Homeless Policies and Procedures
This information in PDF format suitable for posting.
Lack of Continuity in Education
- Attendance at many different schools
- Lack of records needed for enrollment
- Gaps in skill development
Poor Health/Nutrition
- Lack of immunizations and/or immunization records
- Unmet medical and dental needs
- Chronic hunger (may hoard food)
- Fatigue (may fall asleep in class)
Transportation and Attendance Problems
- Erratic attendance or tardiness
- Inability to contact parents
- Numerous absences
- Avoidance of class field trips
Poor Hygiene
- Wearing the same clothes for several days
- Lack of shower facility or washers to stay clean
Not Ready for Class
- Lack of basic school supplies
- Concern for the safety of belongings
- Incomplete or missing homework
Social and Behavioral Cues
- Change in behavior
- “Old” beyond years
- Protective of parents
- Poor/short attention span
- Poor self-esteem
- Difficulty or avoidance of making friends
- Difficulty trusting people
- Need for immediate gratification
Reactions/Statements by Parent, Guardian, or Child
- Anger or embarrassment when asked about current address
- Mention of staying with grandparents, other relatives, friends, or in a motel
- Comments such as:
- “I don’t remember the name of my previous school.”
- “We’ve been moving around a lot.”
- “Our address is new; I can’t remember it” (may hide lack of a permanent address).
- “We’re going through a bad time right now"
Note: These are general guidelines. There is significant variability among the school-age homeless population. Warning signs adapted from flyers developed by the Illinois and Pennsylvania Departments of Education.
Bellingham Schools Homeless Support
Designated Homeless Liaison for the Bellingham School District:
Kenn Robinson
Director of Student Services
1306 Dupont Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-676-2787
Homeless Support Coordinators for the Bellingham School District:
Patricia Hoff
Readiness To Learn
1306 Dupont Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-676-6524Roxana Parise
Readiness To Learn
1306 Dupont Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
360-676-6523For Families
- Information for Parents (PDF)
- Information for School-Aged Youth (PDF)
- Tips for Parents (PDF)
These documents are available online within the district network:
- Families in transition intake form
- Tips for Administrators
- Tips for Counselors
- Tips for Teachers
- Tips for the School Nurse
- Tips for Secretaries and Registrars
State & National Homeless Organizations
- Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction Homeless Education Information
- National Coalition for the Homeless
www.nationalhomeless.org - National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
www.nlchp.org - National Center for Homeless Education at Serve
www.serve.org/nche/nche_web/ed_rights.php
Children and youth living in a homeless situations (as defined by the McKinney Vento Act) benefit from Title 1 services and programs. However, additional Title 1 funds may be used to address specific academic needs of students who are homeless or highly mobile. For additional information, contact the Federal Programs office or a Homeless Support Coordinator
The 2001 reauthorization of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act ensures the educational rights of homeless children and youth, which enables them to enroll in school, attend regularly and succeed in educational opportunities.
The McKinney-Vento Act defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The term includes:
- Children and youth who are:
- sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason (sometimes referred to as doubled-up);
- living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
- living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- abandoned in hospitals; or
- awaiting foster care placemen
- Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
- Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.
Children who are experiencing homelessness have the right to:
- Go to school, no matter where the student lives or how long they have lived there.
- Continue in the school they last attended before becoming homeless or the school they last attended, if that is your choice and is feasible.
- Receive transportation to the school they last attended before the family became homeless or the school they last attended, if the parent/guardian requests such transportation.
- Attend a school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless.
- Enroll in school without giving a permanent address.
- Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.
- Enroll and attend classes in the school of choice even while the school and the parent/guardian seek to resolve any dispute over enrollment of student.
- Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.
- Receive transportation to school and to school programs.
For complete legislation, regulations, and guidance:
