Charter Schools, Alternative
Programs, Supplemental
Educational Services, and McKinney-Vento Homeless
Current McKinney-Vento Programs
The McKinney-Vento Act helps support school corporation programs
that facilitate the attendance and success in school of homeless
preschoolers, children and youth. To receive a grant from this
program, school corporations and their community partners must
complete a competitive application process. Most of the programs
receive one year grants; however, this year three year grants were
offered for the first time to the top five applicants. Brief descriptions
of the programs are provided below:
Three Year Recipients:
Anderson Community School Corporation
Contact: JoDean Washington, Anderson Community School Corporation, 1229 Lincoln Street, Anderson, IN 46016; Phone: (765) 641-2076
The Anderson Community School Corporation and Alternatives Incorporated (a not-for-profit shelter and support agency for homeless families) coordinate their efforts to eliminate barriers to the enrollment and success of homeless children in school. A child advocate collaborates with the Madison County Step Ahead Council, Target Stores, Anderson Public Library, Community Hospital of Anderson and St. John's Health System to provide several services to the families. Vision and hearing exams with treatment as needed are provided in addition to immunization checks. Kid’s Place, an on-site preschool, and Kid Connection, an after school and summer program, along with area Head Start programs all help to improve student learning by providing special focus on reading and self-esteem building. Children with special learning and emotional needs are provided with individualized services.
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
Contact: Larry Perkinson, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, 2650 Home Avenue, Columbus, IN 47201; Phone: (812) 376-4449
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation collaborates with Turning Point Domestic Violence Shelter to provide services for children experiencing homelessness in 12 counties. Strong relationships with the other area shelters allow for more comprehensive identification of homeless children in need. Turning Point provides a school liaison who works closely with the corporation by advocating for the students, helping develop individual education plans, and maintaining a tutoring network. The tutoring network provides not only academic tutoring, but also enrichment experiences and appropriate social activities. Inservice training is provided on homeless issues and their impact on the educational process to all collaborating agency personnel. Transportation is arranged for students, enabling them to attend their schools of origin when possible. Parent assistance meetings are used to increase parent participation and improve school success for the children.
Marion Community School Corporation
Contact: Barbara Nehring, Family Service Society, 101 S. Washington Street, Suite 200, Marion, IN 46952; Phone: (765) 662-9971
The Marion Community School Corporation's McKinney-Vento program is implemented through a case coordinator in collaboration with a Homeless Task Group. As a result of the collaboration, the needs of homeless children and youth identified by the Family Service Society, Marion Housing Authority, Office of Family and Children, area churches, local law enforcement, Boys and Girls Club, Urban League, and others are met. The case coordinator communicates with the child's home school in addition to acting as a liaison in mobilizing community services for homeless children and their families. A tutoring program, coordinated by the YMCA and the Grant County Senior Center provides additional academic instruction for homeless children to promote greater school success. Acting as an advocate, the case coordinator provides inservices for both volunteers and school corporation employees. Also, a portion of the McKinney-Vento grant is used for school pictures, school supplies, graduation caps and gowns, and other extra curricular needs.
Vigo County School Corporation
Contact: Valarie Bailey, Vigo County School Corporation, 686 Wabash Avenue, P.O. Box 3703, Terre Haute, IN 47807; Phone: (812) 462-4390
Grant funds awarded through the McKinney-Vento Act enable the Vigo County School Corporation, in cooperation with Catholic Charities of Terre Haute, to provide a Homeless Preschool Program, a Parent Resource Center, after-school tutoring, and a recreational program. In combination, these programs offer educational enrichment, remediation, and support to homeless children as well as their families. In the preschool program, grandparents, from the Foster Grandparent Program, AARP volunteers, college interns, and impact workers help to provide breakfast, lunch, tutoring, and social developmental activities. With assistance from Hamilton Center, Charter Hospital, Union Hospital, Covered Bridge, and St. Ann's Free Clinic, the children's speech, hearing, emotional, and special needs are assessed and treated. The children and their parents participate in crafts, cooking projects, computer instruction, listen to guest speakers, and participate in both educational and recreational activities. The tutoring program uses games, social clubs, and current instructional methods to assist students with skill, content, and self-concept development. To encourage good citizenship, a "bonus point" program with award trips to King's Island or bicycles can be earned. The Parent Resource Center offers support to homeless parents through financial counseling, cooking classes, weekly support groups, and family resiliency classes.
Metropolitan School District of Washington Township
Contact: Crystal Haslett, MSD Washington Township Schools, 8550 Woodfield Crossing Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46240; Phone: (317) 205-3332x283
A Program Liaison for the Washington Township school district works with both parents and children to ensure that homeless families are able to succeed. By providing tutoring opportunities, transportation for extra-curricular activities, Head Start referrals for preschoolers, job training for parents, links to summer recreational and cultural activities, and basic needs, the district expects that students who are experiencing homelessness will benefit from greater emotional, economic, and educational stability. Professional development will also help teachers and staff gain a better understanding of families in transition. St. Vincent Hospital, Crooked Creek Community Center, North Central Church of Christ, the Community at Nora, and the J. Everett Light Career Center are all partners in this program.
One Year Recipients:
Crawfordsville Community School Corporation
Contact: Carol Carrington, Even Start Director, 1601 East College Street, Crawfordsville, IN 47933; Phone: (765) 362-2690
McKinney-Vento funds allow the Crawfordsville Community School Corporation (CCSC) to continue their collaboration with the Montgomery County Family Crisis Shelter and the Montgomery County Housing Authority to provide programs for homeless preschool, elementary, and secondary children. For example, ASSIST 2 is an after-school tutoring program designed to improve children's emotional, social, and academic achievement. The program is conducted twice a week for children in Grades 1-5 at a convenient Crawfordsville school. The tutoring service includes homework assistance, social activities, enrichment experiences, and field trips. A caring environment is consistently maintained, which results in better student attendance, subject grade improvement, and a more positive educational experience for homeless children. Children from six weeks to six years of age attend an Even Start program. This program emphasizes language, literacy, motor skill, cognitive, and emotional development of children in addition to giving parents an opportunity to attend job training and education classes for self-improvement. New services specifically designed to meet the needs of homeless adolescents are also a newer piece of the program. To relieve some of the financial and emotional stress experienced by homeless children, McKinney-Vento funds are used to defray school expenses related to obtaining copies of birth certificates and school records, special uniforms, and school supplies.
Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation
Contact: Barbara Bennett, Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, 1 S.E. Ninth Street, Evansville, IN 47708; Phone: (812) 435-8439
The Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation to provides a continuing education program for homeless students that consists of five components: (1) parenting education for pregnant and parenting teens; (2) tutoring and remediation opportunities; (3) support services; (4) before- and after-school programs; and (5) professional development experiences for educators and service providers to facilitate the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children. The parenting workshop segment, directed by a Family Resources Coordinator, covers a range of topics including: tutoring, individual/family guidance, needs assessments, support services, emergency assistance, and the delivery of family/school/community resources. These parenting workshops are available to pregnant and parenting teenagers who lack a fixed nighttime residence and are at-risk of dropping out of school. The participation of homeless children in regular school programs is further supported by the provision of academic tutoring, basic skills remediation, ISTEP+ remediation, homework assistance, transportation, school supplies and materials. Extra-curricular activities are offered in collaboration with the Vanderburgh County Step Ahead Council and the Evansville Coalition for the Homeless to students in grades K-12. Before- and after-school childcare programs are made available to children in Grades K-6. Professional development experiences for school personnel have included awareness building, legal requirements, and presentations by local social service agencies.
Fort Wayne Community School Corporation
Contact: Jerry White, Fort Wayne Community School Corporation, Student Services, 1200 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802; Phone: (260) 425-7278
The Homeless Assistance Program (H.A.P.) is a Fort Wayne Community Schools initiative that collaborates with ten area homeless shelters to provide clothes, transportation to school for children and their parents, enrollment, and school supplies. It strives to eliminate barriers to enrollment and attendance in addition to promoting academic success for homeless children and youth. The project provides student placement in school within 24 hours, tutorial assistance with homework, special educational services, enrichment activities, and transportation to the school of origin to ensure that disruption in a child's educational program does not occur. By collaborating with local shelters, Title I, area churches, YWCA, Chairis House, Vincent House, and other social service agencies, H.A.P. is able to assess the health and social issues of homeless children, youth, and their parents. H.A.P. heightens the awareness of specific problems relative to homelessness and schooling through a monthly newsletter and weekly staff meetings specifically designed to inform both the general public and educators about the needs, laws, and problems encountered by homeless students both in and out of school.
Greencastle Community School Corporation
Contact: Sharla Arnold, Tzouanakis Elementary, 500 Linwood Avenue, Greencastle, IN 46135; Phone: (765) 653-4700
AMAZE is a program developed by the Greencastle Community School Corporation to provide a unique summer experience for homeless and at-risk children from preschool through Grade 5. At the start of each summer session, “home visits” are done for each identified family. During this program, homeless children are involved in field trips, life experiences, and thematic, hands-on, integrated learning activities. Transportation is provided with breakfast and a snack served daily. Parents are encouraged to be tutors and/or visit the program. Older children who have completed the program can also return to act as peer leaders. During the school year, these children receive support through counseling, direct instruction, and remediation in academic content areas.
Indianapolis Public Schools
Contact: Portia Radford, Washington Irving Elementary School, 1250 East Market Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202; Phone: (317) 226-4213
The H-YAC team meets regularly to identify and address needs and barriers within the IPS community for homeless students. A McKinney-Vento Liaison works with parents and students to direct them to appropriate services and ensure that no bumps derail their academic progress. Outreach Incorporated also partners with the Indianapolis Public Schools to help reach homeless teens. A social worker meets each week with the students, helping them obtain basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter, in addition to helping them with life skills. Additional time is spent working with colleges, trade schools, and vocational training programs to help youth obtain training after high school. Mentoring and tutoring will further help the youth to stabilize and excel.
Logansport Community School Corporation
Contact: Christine Hess, Logansport Community School Corporation, 2829 George Street, Logansport, IN 46947; Phone (574) 722-2911
A brand new addition, the Logansport program has a special focus on the health of its students. The corporation works with local dentists to provide free checkups for the children and to arrange any extra dental procedures that the students need. The dentist, a nurse practitioner, and a doctor all come on site for the families. The Parent Project is an eight-week training program that is also offered to provide parent support groups and information on the prevention of and intervention for destructive adolescent behavior; it has a further goal of increasing parent involvement. By working with Head Start, Title I programs, and after school tutoring clubs, the school corporation also furthers the academic achievement of homeless students in the district.
Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township
Contact: Christine Dixon, Harrison Hill Elementary, 7510 East 53 rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46235; Phone: (317) 964-4300
Another brand new addition to the McKinney-Vento grant recipients, the MSD Lawrence Township Schools is using some of its funds to provide transportation for students to attend an expanded summer reading program through Compassion4 Kids and the Lawrence Public Library. Compassion4 Kids also provides food, clothing and shoes, and books to homeless students. Two other food and clothing pantries in the district also help meet those needs. The district ensures that students receive free eye exams and glasses. Lawrence Township Schools also have an onsite dental clinic that provides preventative dental care and cleanings. As a result of the high number of homeless families that experience domestic violence, the McKinney-Vento Liaison also works with Breaking Free and Legacy House to provide services tailored to the needs of the families. Outreach Incorporated has also worked with the district’s teenage homeless students. Within the first month of each school year the referral process for the program and related information on homelessness is presented as a part of the district’s professional development.
Metropolitan School District of Martinsville
Contact: Pat Barr, Smith Elementary, 1359 East Columbus Street, Martinsville, IN 46151; Phone: (765) 342-8488
The Martinsville program was established to provide holistic services to support the educational success of homeless children and youth. It is an outreach family-based intervention program that reinforces the valuable position parents assume in the education of their children. As advocates for homeless children, the family service coordinators provide parents with insights into special services offered by the school system, strategies to use in school conference situations, emotional support, and transportation to medical service providers to ensure that parents can function as team members in the educational success of their child. To achieve effective community linkages, a Homeless Task Force was organized to assemble a speaker's bureau, organize volunteers, and formulate advocates for action, define homeless issues and problems, and obtain services for homeless families. Some of the services provided to the homeless children include: transportation for families to agency appointments and school functions, school supplies, tutoring, school registration assistance, book giveaways, reading enrichment events, recreational and cultural summer programs, and emergency clothing. Professional development experiences for teachers and staff are provided as well.
Monroe County School Corporation
Contact: Amy Pickens, 315 North Drive, Bloomington, IN 47401; Phone: (812) 330-7700
The Monroe County School Corporation and Middle Way House, in collaboration with eleven community-based agencies, maintain a full-service homeless children and youth program. Services range from special education classes, tutoring, and case management to advocacy. All sheltered children receive an individual education plan to ensure continuous educational progress. Special emphasis is given to facilitating school enrollment, improving verbal communication skills, and providing academic remediation through a big-buddy system. With McKinney-Vento funds, a parenting program has been established to conduct weekly meetings at a domestic violence shelter. The goals of this program are to introduce parents to available community resources and to develop parenting skills in the areas of child discipline, nurturing behaviors, as well as physical and mental development. In addition to assisting mothers with their child's developmental needs, the program focuses on self-esteem building and communication skills to ensure that mothers will become more effective advocates for their children.
School City of Hammond
Contact: Jurutha Lay, School City of Hammond, 5727 Sohl Avenue, Room 328, Hammond, IN 46323; Phone: (219) 933-2419
The School City of Hammond has a goal of enrolling and meeting the basic needs of every homeless student within 24 hours of identification. The corporation’s Title I department takes leadership for ensuring the educational support of the students, while the McKinney-Vento Liaison works to support the students’ health and social networks. A long term plan of support is created for each family to continue this support for the duration of their homelessness. The corporation works with local agencies to provide rent and utility assistance, housing subsidies, emergency shelter, food, clothes, and more. The Education Talent Search of Purdue University-Hammond helps to create an awareness for the families of the importance of education, helps to set goals, and build confidence in the students. The School City of Hammond also has a Family Service Center where the students can receive counseling.
South Bend Community School Corporation
Contact: Rosalind Ellis, South Bend Community School Corporation, 635 South Main Street, South Bend, IN 46628; Phone: (219) 283-8064
The South Bend Community School Corporation in collaboration with the Center for the Homeless, Inc., Hope Rescue Mission, and the YWCA of St. Joseph County seeks to ensure equal access to educational programs and academic success for homeless school-age children and their families through a comprehensive case management system of services. McKinney-Vento grant funds are used to: sustain a twenty-four hour school enrollment policy; give individualized attention to special needs children; provide transportation to and from school for parents and their children; conduct programs with an emphasis on self-esteem and social development; administer in-service sessions for school personnel and community-based agencies to raise awareness of homeless issues; conduct tutoring sessions using volunteers from the University of Notre Dame, St. Mary's College, and Holy Cross College; and perform medical, dental, and other health care assessments and treatments as needed. Through local agency coordination and monitoring, homeless students' educational and physical needs are profiled and accommodated.
South Harrison Community School Corporation
Contact: Linda Ray, South Harrison Community School Corporation, 315 South Harrison Drive, Corydon, IN 47112; Phone: (812) 738-2158
The South Harrison Community School program, Care Coordination, in partnership with the Harrison County Step Ahead Council, the Special Education Cooperative, the Division of Family and Children, Department of Public Health, Blue River Services Inc., and Life Spring Mental Health, collaborate to provide intensive services for homeless children to enhance their learning opportunities. The program is based on a "positive school-family relationship concept" which facilitates the enrollment of homeless children in school, absorbs the extra cost of transportation to school, provides school supplies, and offers emergency services to stabilize the family. The primary goals of the program are to improve student attendance, to prevent students from dropping out of school, and to monitor students' academic and social progress. The homeless coordinator assists families experiencing homelessness, connects children to school and other needed community services, and attempts to maintain family stability. Levels of engagement are measured according to: tardiness, absenteeism, behavior referrals, detention, suspensions, course failures, and school performance.
Transportation Grants:
A total of eight transportation grants were also awarded for the first time this year to assist schools in transporting homeless students to school and school related activities. The corporations who received these grants are: Culver Community School Corporation, Evansville-Vanderburgh Community Schools, Fort Wayne Community School Corporation, Medora Community School Corporation, MSD Pike Township Schools, School City of Hammond, South Bend Community School Corporation, and Switzerland County School Corporation.
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