Through findings in our interviews and surveys, we suggest the following recommendations:
Designated at least one person at each school who is in charge of helping students who are experiencing homelessness both academically and socially
While McKinney Vento liaisons are available at the district level, that person is often overworked and has a large caseload from students all across their district. We recommend that in every school, there should be one or multiple people who are accessible and known to all students and are designated as an in house homeless student liaison. Since this will most likely be an additional obligation for an existing staff or faculty member instead of an entirely new position, these duties should be spread out amongst multiple people. These duties may include;
- Providing resources to youth experiencing homelessness (see our Roadmap & Resources page)
- Reaching out the McKinney Vento liaison if faculty and staff identify a homeless student
- Work closely with the McKinney Vento liaison at the district level (Leslie Carillo in Hartford Public School) to make sure homeless students in schools are being accounted for and represented
- Staying in contact with families of homeless students, the student themself, and the teachers of the homeless student
provide Added support for the McKinney Vento Liaison at the district level
Most McKinney-Vento Liaisons in Connecticut are not only this position, but also have other roles at the district or school level. Because of this, we recommend that the McKinney Vento Liaison receive additional support from other personnel whose main job is to support and ensure that the position is being done to the best of their ability. This could entail increasing efficiency in the bureaucratic process by aiding with paperwork, and provide additional aid to the students and families who come to the McKinney Vento liaison. When there is one person fulfilling more than one position it can be difficult to complete both jobs to the best of their ability. If there is more support for the McKinney-Vento, then the liaison may have more time to create connections with students and schools and spread awareness and education to school personnel on the homelessness crisis and what they can do to aid their students.
provide Additional training on Homeless Youth and the McKinney Vento Act for all school personnel
Throughout our interviews and the colloquial interactions with students and other school faculty and staff, most of them did not know what the McKinney Vento Act was and who it protects. The guidance counselors that we spoke with clearly stated that they would like similar training to that of social workers which include professional development on the needs and rights of homeless youth. This is an important training need for guidance counselors who interact with proportionally more students than social workers, as McKinney Vento liaisons are only aware of the students that are brought to their attention. It is up to faculty and staff to look out for their students.