The Right To Shelter In Massachusetts
Laurie Pardee, MSN, RN Nurse/Health Leader Homeless Liaison Northborough-Southborough Public Schools
Presentation Overview • Homeless issues • McKinney –Vento Legislation • School nursing challenges, interventions, roles of the school nurse • Families In Transition
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Who is Homeless? Any person who “lacks a fixed, regular and adequate night time residency” including those: § Doubling-up temporarily with another family, relatives or friends due to economic hardships § Living in a temporary foster care placement § Living out of a car § Living in an emergency or transitional shelter § Camping - without a permanent home
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Homeless Statistics ■
Difficult to quantify, especially with the number of families who double up.
2011 data from MA DESE ü 44,000 public school students are experiencing homelessness ■
1889 of these families are in motels www.mahomeless.org/advocacy/basic-facts ■
During the 2013-2014 school year, 101 children in Northborough-Southborough were identified as homeless, 97 living in a motel
Causes of Homelessness § Economic or social stressors; poverty § Unexpected crisis § High cost of housing § Low paying jobs or unemployment § Substance abuse, addiction § Physical or mental illness § Domestic abuse/violence § Incarceration/release § Changes/cuts in public assistance
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McKinney-Vento Legislation § 1987 Federal Law § Equal opportunity for homeless children to obtain a consistent, quality education and needed services § Reauthorized 2002 No Child Left Behind § Designed to reduce gaps in education § Every district must appoint a Homeless Liaison
Rights under McKinney-Vento § Enrollment in school without delay, without proof of residency, and without educational, medical or other records § Attend school where residing OR school of origin, with transportation to school of origin § Automatic free school breakfast/lunch (where available) § Participation in programs that are offered to all other children
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School Nurse Role § Understand McKinney-Vento legislation § Get to know your district Homeless Liaison § Help identify students and families needs § Facilitate speedy entry into school § Provide referrals and resources for needed services
How School Nurses Can Help Homeless Students and Families § Assist with access to health insurance and primary care and dental providers § Help ensure that daily nutritional needs are met (F&R enrollment) § Facilitate immunization compliance § Provide contacts for clothing, hygiene products, school supplies and medical supplies § Help parents maintain a health record file
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How School Nurses Can Help Homeless Students and Families § Address health related/attendance issues § Advocate for MV rights and support educational success § Treat students and families with extra respect and sensitivity § Focus on student and family strengths § Help kids stay in school, be healthy and learn
FIT (Families in Transition) Church Police FSP YMCA Chamber of Commerce Legislators School Administrators FFIT
Board of Health Food Pantry Recreation Department DCF DCHD RCAP SMOC CBHI
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Services for Homeless Youth in NORTHBORO/SOUTHBORO, MA Schools FIT(Families in Transition) provide
§ Hygiene products § Meals § Educational supplies § Transportation to medical appointments § “Holiday Parties, and other outings § “Clothing
Hope is Humanity’s Fuel Charlie Applestein, m.s.w o
If we can instill hope there is a possibility of happiness and success.
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Remember twenty years from now children won’t remember what you said, but they will recall how you made them feel.
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References § National Center for Homeless Education http://centerserve.org/nche § National Alliance to End Homelessness www.endhomelessness.org § National Coalition for the Homeless http://nationalhomeless.org/ § US Interagency Council on Homelessness www.usich.gov § National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth www.naehcy.org/ § National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty www.nlchp.org
Contact Information Laurie Pardee,MSN, RN Nurse/Health Leader Northborough/Southborough Schools 508-485-3176 x113
[email protected]
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Thank You for Caring
You make a powerful difference in the lives of students each day
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