darla bardine, executive director, national network for youth barbara duffield, director of policy...
TRANSCRIPT
Darla Bardine, Executive Director, National Network for YouthBarbara Duffield, Director of Policy and Programs, NAEHCY
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What’s Hot and What’s Not:A Federal Policy Update
Our Topics Today
The Federal BudgetGAO Report on Homeless EducationElementary and Secondary Education
Act reauthorization (including McKinney-Vento)
Universal preschool legislationHigher Education Act reauthorizationChild Care Development Block GrantRunaway and Homeless Youth ActHomeless Children and Youth Act 2
Federal Budget/FY2015 Appropriations
McKinney-Vento homeless education funded at $65 million in FY2014 (sequestration mostly restored)
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act funded at $115 million
Congress once again failed to complete action on FY2015 budget before end of fiscal year
Continuing resolution passed last week to fund government until December 11 (after the election) 3
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014
New Title I and Homelessness
Funds available under sections 1124, 1124A, 1125 and 1125A of the ESEA may be used to provide homeless children and youths with services not ordinarily provided to other students under those sections, including supporting the liaison designated pursuant to section 722(g)( l )(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and providing transportation pursuant to section 722(g)( 1 )(J)(iii) of such Act.
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Federal Guidance Issued July 2014
Title I Part A, including funds reserved under section 1113(a)(3), may: Be used in full to support the position of the
liaisonBe used to provide transportation to the
school of origin LEAs must continue to provide comparable services; using Title I for the liaison and school of origin transportation do not satisfy the comparable services requirement
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Government Accountability Office
Report on Homeless Education
Published August 2014. Examined:
(1) how districts identify and serve homeless students and challenges they face (2) how USDE (ED) and states collaborate with other service providers to address student needs and any barriers (3) the extent to which USDE (ED) monitors program compliance
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GAO Report: Barriers and Challenges
Under-identification of homeless children Limited staff and resources to provide
servicesCost of transportationStudent stigma associated with homelessnessResponding to students made homeless by
natural disasters Different definitions of homelessness pose
barriers to interagency collaboration 7
GAO Report :Federal Findings and
Recommendation
ED has no plan to ensure adequate oversight of all states
Lacks assurance that states are complying with program requirements
Other priorities and a lack of staff capacity as reasons for decrease in oversight
Recommendation: develop a plan to ensure adequate oversight of the EHCY program
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McKinney-Vento, Title I, and Elementary and Secondary
Education Act Reauthorization
Congress has been working on this legislation since 2007, but partisan differences and other Congressional priorities have prevented it from moving forward
Major action in 2007, 2011, and 2013…Nothing at all in 20142015? Depends on the priorities of the new
Congress
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Major Issues in ESEA Reauthorization
McKinney-Vento Personnel: State Coordinators and Local Liaisons
School Stability Provisions (“Feasibility”)EnrollmentTransportationDisputesCredits/Academic SupportExtra-curricular activitiesUnaccompanied YouthPreschool ChildrenFunding LevelTitle I, Part A SetasidesChildren and Youth in Foster Care
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Strong Start for America’s Children Act:
S. 1697 and H.R. 3462 New federal-state partnership to increase access to high
quality prekindergarten programs for low and moderate income children
A phased-in federal-state match with formula grants to states based on the state population of low-income 4-year-olds
Eligible states must offer state-funded preK, have early learning standards, and be able to link preK data to K-12 data
McKinney-Vento-esque requirements for local applications: outreach, identify, enroll, stabilize, transport homeless children
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Higher Education Act Reauthorization
S. 1754, the Higher Education Access and Success Act for Homeless and Foster Youth
Most of this legislation included in Senate Committee Proposal passed on June 25, 2015 Clarifies that unaccompanied homeless youth under
age 24 are considered independent students; Expands the entities authorized to make
determinations of unaccompanied homeless youth Requires financial aid administrators to make
determinations of unaccompanied homeless youth status for youth who cannot get determinations from other authorities
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HEA Bill for Homeless/Foster, 2 Eliminates the requirement for unaccompanied
homeless youths’ status to be re-determined every year.
Students will continue to be independent unless the student’s circumstances have changed, or the financial aid administrator has conflicting information; and
Requires the Student Loan Ombudsman to receive, review and expeditiously resolve complaints regarding the independent student status of homeless and foster youth
Provides homeless and foster youth in-state tuition to reduce barriers to college attendance due to lack of financial support 13
HEA Bill for Homeless/Foster, 3Designates a single point of contact to assist homeless
and foster youth to access and complete higher education;
Requires IHEs to: Post public notice about financial and other assistance
available to homeless and foster youth; Develop a plan to assist homeless and foster youth to
access housing resources during and between academic terms; and
Include in applications questions about homeless or foster status, that youth can answer voluntarily to receive assistance accessing financial aid and other resources. 14
The Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act, S. 1086
Bipartisan, bi-cameral agreement Passed the House on September 16 Held hostage in Senate last week Movement in Lame Duck session possible
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The Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act, S. 1086 Require States to:Establish a grace period for homeless children while
families comply with immunization and other health and safety requirements
Use funds for: Procedures to permit enrollment of children
experiencing homelessness while required documentation is obtained;
Training and technical assistance on identifying and serving homeless children and their families;
Specific outreach to homeless families 16
The Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act, S. 1086 Require States to:Coordinate services with early childhood programs
serving children experiencing homelessnessEstablish a sliding fee scale that is not a barrier to
families receiving federal childcare assistance. The legislation also requires that families who initially qualify for childcare receive childcare services for at least a year, regardless of changes in income or work, training, or education status.
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The Runaway and Homeless Youth and
Trafficking Prevention Act, S. 2646
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act provides:Street Outreach: relationship building, prevention,
counseling, referrals for housing and services.Basic Center: 21 day youth-appropriate emergency
shelter for homeless minors with intensive family reunification when appropriate
Transitional Living: longer-term housing with youth-appropriate services for homeless 16-21 year olds with a focus on health, education and employment
National Hotline: 1-800-RUNAWAYNational Training & Technical Assistance Center
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The Runaway and Homeless Youth and
Trafficking Prevention Act, S. 2646
Makes updates to Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs:Includes new provisions to combat trafficking and
discriminationIncreases the length of stays in Basic Centers from 21 to 30
days.Requires RHYA grantees to assist youth with completing the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)Passed out of Senate Judiciary Committee on Sept. 18Action Step:Contact Your Senators: ask them to join S. 2646 as a
cosponsor 19
The Homeless Children and Youth Act:
Why We Need ItHUD’s definition of homelessness excludes families
and youth staying temporarily with others because they have no place else to go, or in motels (if the family uses their own income); as a result, they can’t get HUD homeless services
HUD forces communities to prioritize programs for chronically homeless adults at the expense of families and youth
HUD’s count of homelessness doesn’t include most homeless families and youth
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The Homeless Children and Youth Act:
H.R. 5186 and S. 2653
What it does: Eliminates complex requirements for motel and doubled-up families and youth to be eligible for HUD homeless assistance; streamlines referrals; improves collaborationHow it does it: Amends HUD’s definition of homelessness to include children and youth verified as homeless by school liaisons, RHYA programs, Head Start, Health Care for the Homeless programs, etc.
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The Homeless Children and Youth Act:
H.R. 5186 and S. 2653
What it does: Allows communities to meet the needs that they identify – including families and youthHow it does it: Prohibits HUD from prioritizing one group over another when awarding grants if it doesn’t meet a community’s needs assessment. Currently, HUD forces prioritization of chronically homeless, even if that is not the community’s greatest need.
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The Homeless Children and Youth Act:
H.R. 5186 and S. 2653
What it does: Shows a truer, more comprehensive view of homelessness to Congress and the publicHow it does it: Requiring data from all federal homeless programs to be part of HUD’s Report to Congress; and requiring HUD data and funding patterns to be made public on HUD’s website
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The Homeless Children and Youth Act:
H.R. 5186 and S. 2653
ACTION NEEDED:1. Urge your US Representative and US Senators to
become co-sponsors of HCYA: http://www.helphomelesskidsnow.org
2. Add state and local organizations to the HCYA endorsers list: www.naehcy.org
3. Spread the word
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Why Get Involved in Policy Advocacy?
Good policies are informed policiesNo one else knows what you know - no one else
is likely to take up these issuesChildren and youth experiencing homelessness
are invisible to the public and to policymakersAs a constituent, you have the most power to
effect change
Advocacy v. Lobbying
Lobbying: activities that ask legislators to take a specific position on a specific piece of legislation, or urge others to do the same (IRS definition for non-profits)
Advocacy: any activity that a person or organization undertakes to influence policy - includes educating, providing information, arguing a cause
What if I Can’t Lobby?
Check to be sure that you cant; be mindful of the narrow, specific definition of lobbying
Find others to “make the pitch” for you, but stay engaged in general advocacy activities
Act as a private individual - you don’t lose your rights as a citizen just because you work for government
Where Do I Begin?
It’s all about relationships! Know who represents your community or
communities and school district: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov
Make it part of your work plan to develop an ongoing relationship with at minimum of one or two Congressional offices
Methods: Meetings, Letters, Calls
Face-to-Face meetings are ideal for beginning a relationship
Variety of possible locations: office, program siteLegislators don’t do details, but if they commit to
an issue, it is GOLDStaff are critical; they have tremendous influence.
Good relations with staff are essential.
Meetings: When?
Now! Before a crisis, bill, or vote; background education is essential for relationship-building
At the beginning of a new Congressional season - new staff, new priorities
As specific legislation develops, it is important weigh in to help shape it
After a bill is introduced, we need co-sponsorsThink of the meeting as a conversation, not a
presentation: watch for body language cues, pick up on their interests, encourage questions, ask questions
Meetings, Continued
Don’t be intimidated - you are the expert! They work for you.
If you don’t know an answer, tell them you’ll get back to them; don’t be thrown by jargon
Present broad statements, supported by specifics (“accomplishments and challenges”)
Research the Member’s priorities - frame the issue accordingly
Provide statistics, real stories that illustrate the need for policy change
Arrange visits with youth and families if possible
Meeting: Wrapping UpProvide only a few concise written materials (bullets and
white space!)Conclude with your “ask:” prioritize your requests and state
the specific commitments you are seeking (it doesn’t have to be a bill number; i.e. “We’d like to ask for your support of adequate funding for homeless education; changing HUD’s definition of homelessness;…)
Refer them to NAEHCY for policy specifics (“Have your people in Washington contact my people in Washington.”)
Follow up with a thank you letter that summarizes the meeting and the commitment you are seeking
Offer yourself as a resource to themKeep in touch - find ways to maintain the relationship
separate from the “ask” (i.e. newsletter, news stories, invitations, accomplishments)
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It’s “Who You Know:” Getting Connected
Other people can help pave the way to a relationship: State legislators Mayors City Council Members Community partners and civic groups Business leaders Spouses
Ask for their help with getting a meeting, urging the member to take a specific position, or making the issue a priority
LettersLetters are an important advocacy method as
legislation develops, or to gain co-sponsors once a bill is introduced
Always personalize and localize letters, make them unique
Fax is better than snail mailEmails are least effective; but if you send one, be
sure to add your mailing addressBe specific, and request the favor of a responseNumbers matter! Circulate widely and “gently”
remind others to follow throughGet letters from diverse community groups
(businesses, others beyond the “usual” suspects)
Phone Calls
Before key votes or decisions, phone calls can make a difference
State that you are a constituentState specific request: “Vote yes on the Murray
amendment to increase homeless education funding!”
Urge others to make calls
Don’t Forget to Say “Thank You”
If a member takes an action to support the issue - whether a vote, a letter, or a bill sponsorship - dont forget to say thank you
Let them know the specific benefits of their actions Give awards and recognition where appropriate
There’s Strength in NumbersAsk other groups to take up the issue - get it on their
agenda: Local and state homeless coalitions Children’s advocacy groups Education advocacy groups PTA Junior League Faith-based groups Businesses
Gather email addresses of friends, colleagues to distribute materials
Shine a Spotlight: Media Attention
Local press articles get legislators attentionInvite reporters to visit program (check with press
offices, releases, etc.)Forward good articles to your legislatorsInvite legislators to participate in press eventsWrite op-eds that praise or ask for leadershipWrite letters to the editor - look for “pegs”
