Youth engagement is a strategy to value and include the insights of youth in service planning and delivery. Often youth and their families know best what they need and how to make services work for them. This toolkit, developed by the Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS) addresses the following topics: What is Youth Engagement?… Read more »
Foster Care Liaison
UNDERSTANDING YOUTH RIGHTS: Helping Providers Navigate the Laws and Policies Affecting Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
The laws about runaway, homeless, or unaccompanied youth can seem to be confusing and vague. While physically apart from their parent or guardian, homeless youth lack certain rights that can lead to confusion about legal issues of consent, eligibility for emancipation, parents’ rights, accessing shelter, public education, health care, and public benefits. Recognizing these challenges,… Read more »
Youth Homelessness in Texas: A report to fulfill the requirements of House Bill 679
The 84th Texas Legislative Session’s House Bill 679 (Appendix A) required the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), in conjunction with other members of the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless (TICH), to conduct a study of homeless youth and submit a report to the Texas Legislature no later than December 1, 2016…. Read more »
The Services To At Risk Youth “STAR” Program
This document describes the State of Texas STAR Program. STAR originated in 1983 when the Texas Legislature approved a demonstration project for serving runaway and truant youth called the Services to Truants and Runaways project. By 1984 the first 15 programs were funded under grants from the Texas Department of Human Resources’ Protective Services Branch…. Read more »
TITLE I, PART A FOSTER CARE SAMPLE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS
This document suggests a sample process to resolve disputes related to school selection (best interest) or enrollment for a child in foster care.1 It was developed in consultation with state and local McKinney-Vento experts from around the country. It includes important elements for timely and fair dispute resolution and adheres to the legal requirements of… Read more »
Considerations for Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in Developing Transportation Procedures for Students in Foster Care Under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015
ESSA amended Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to require that LEAs receiving Title IA funds collaborate with state or local child welfare agencies on local procedures for transportation for students in foster care. ESSA also amended the McKinney-Vento Act to remove the phrase “awaiting foster care placement” from the… Read more »
San Diego County Office of Education Partial Credits Resource Table
This document shows the credit conversion table used in San Diego County schools.
Partial Credit Model Policy and Practice Recommendations
The Partial Credit Workgroup convened on May 6 and July 10, 2013 with membership from the California Department of Education, California Department of Social Services, California School Board Association, legislative aides, advocacy and philanthropy communities, former foster youth, and government and agency providers who serve foster youth and highly mobile students in the educational realm…. Read more »
Privacy and Homelessness: FERPA 2016
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. 20 USC §1232g; 34 CFR Part 99. Specifically, it prohibits a school from disclosing personally identifiable information from students’ education records without the consent of a parent or eligible student, unless an exception to FERPA’s… Read more »
Homeless & Low-Income Student Resource Guide
Figuring out how to pay for college is a challenge for any student, but for those coming from homeless or low-income situations, this may seem like a barrier that’s nearly impossible to overcome. This guide includes resources to cover extra expenses of school such as housing, text books, medical care and more. Click here to… Read more »