McKINNEY VENTO HOMELESS EDUCATION PROGRAM
The McKinney Vento Education Program provides after school and evening services for homeless children and youth residing in the grant region. Activities are designed to address basic cognitive skills, self-help skills, supportive therapy, visual perceptual skills and receptive and expressive development. Services are also furnished through the implementation of after-school programs Monday thru Friday between 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm for school age children residing in shelters throughout the grant region. The after school programs are housed at various locations. In addition, the program provides supplemental daytime instructional services three times weekly to homeless pre-school youth residing at an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence and their children. A five week summer program is also held for pre-school and school age children residing at the in the grant region and for students known to the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P).
Program Goals
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To provide educational programs and services that will enable homeless students to meet the same high quality content and performance standards that all children in New Jersey public schools are expected to meet.
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To identify and recruit homeless students by reducing or eliminating barriers that the homeless situation creates.
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To ensure that homeless students continue to attend school by reducing the stigma of homelessness to the student, facilitating parent education, training, and integrating homeless children with non-homeless students.
Key Elements of the Program
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Integration with non-homeless children
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Pre-school services
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After school & summer program
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Inter-agency collaborations
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Summer transportation
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Small program size
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Low student teacher ratio
*The program is sponsored under the auspices of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of the Improving America’s School Act of 1994 P.L. 103-382.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Academic Services
The Program provides tutoring, remedial & educational services & enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of state standards. Clear goals, specific objectives & individually paced programs are designed for each youth.
Referral Services
The Program provides referral services for homeless children & youth for medical, dental, psychological, nutritional & other health services.
Counseling Services & Referrals
Individual & group counseling is provided by furnishing non-threatening formal & informal situations to address such areas as problem solving, peer pressure, goal setting, self-confidence building, & stress management techniques.
Recreational Services
Pro-socialization factors are conducted addressing interpersonal skills while furnishing arts & crafts, leisure time & physical fitness activities. Socio educational field trips are also provided.
Daily Living Skills
The program provides consumer education & family living to prepare homeless youth to effectively cope with complex problems facing individuals & families today. Children will learn to become responsible & productive family members, workers & citizens.
Training
The program provides professional development for educators & other school personnel to develop awareness & heighten sensitivity to the needs & rights of homeless children; & also training to the parents of homeless children about the rights & resources available to such children & youth.
Speakers Forum
A series of in-service presentations consisting of positive role models from business, industry, and community social services are made available to address social, employment & academic concerns.
Service Learning
Students learn to develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service experiences that meet actual community needs.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS STAFF
973-405-6262
973-405-6668 (f)
Ms. Tyania Lewis
Special Programs Liaison
x236
T.Lewis@eresc.com
