📋
Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Score: +7 (8/0/1)
Orange County Grand Jury • 2022-2023

The Abc’s of Educating Children Experiencing Homelessness in Orange County County of Orange Grand Jury 2022-2023 The

Published: May 19, 2023 88 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings and Recommendations 16 findings

F1
Many children experiencing homelessness are not identified as such, and therefore do not receive the support and benefits authorized by the McKinney-Vento Act.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
All Orange County school districts should develop a “Back to School” plan which includes mandatory McKinney-Vento Act training for all district and school administrators, teachers, office staff, and counselors by December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter. (F1, F2, F3)
R2
Participation in Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) McKinney-Vento Act training programs for all Local Education Agencies (LEA) McKinney-Vento Liaisons should be mandated by October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter. (F1, F3, F5, F6)
F2
The lack of mandatory McKinney-Vento Act training of school site office staff, counselors, and teachers contributes to a failure to identify children experiencing homelessness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
All Orange County school districts should develop a “Back to School” plan which includes mandatory McKinney-Vento Act training for all district and school administrators, teachers, office staff, and counselors by December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter. (F1, F2, F3)
F3
There is disparity in the application of McKinney-Vento regulations across Orange County public school districts which results in unequal access to educational benefits for children experiencing homelessness.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
All Orange County school districts should develop a “Back to School” plan which includes mandatory McKinney-Vento Act training for all district and school administrators, teachers, office staff, and counselors by December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter. (F1, F2, F3)
R2
Participation in Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) McKinney-Vento Act training programs for all Local Education Agencies (LEA) McKinney-Vento Liaisons should be mandated by October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter. (F1, F3, F5, F6)
F4
The majority of McKinney-Vento Liaisons are in full-time positions, but because their work includes multiple non-McKinney-Vento responsibilities, most do not have sufficient time to do the work required by the McKinney-Vento Act.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Given that most LEA McKinney-Vento Liaisons are responsible for a number of other duties, and do not have sufficient time to do their McKinney-Vento required work, school districts should identify ways to increase support and/or staff to address the numerous tasks of the Liaisons by October 1, 2023. (F4)
F5
Many McKinney-Vento Liaisons lack needed experience due to a high turnover rate in those positions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Participation in Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) McKinney-Vento Act training programs for all Local Education Agencies (LEA) McKinney-Vento Liaisons should be mandated by October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter. (F1, F3, F5, F6)
F6
McKinney-Vento Act training is not mandatory for the majority of McKinney-Vento Liaisons.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Participation in Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) McKinney-Vento Act training programs for all Local Education Agencies (LEA) McKinney-Vento Liaisons should be mandated by October 1, 2023, and annually thereafter. (F1, F3, F5, F6)
F7
Students experiencing homelessness who are enrolled in an elementary district often do not continue to receive McKinney-Vento benefits when they move to a high school district because the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) prevents the sharing of this information between districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By January 1, 2024, for children experiencing homelessness to receive uninterrupted McKinney-Vento benefits, Orange County school districts should add a section to their mandatory enrollment school form enabling parents/guardians to give permission for their school to share information regarding their child’s McKinney-Vento status with other districts that their child may be attending. (F7)
F8
McKinney-Vento funds depend on school districts submitting grant proposals, but not all districts have employees trained in writing grant applications, resulting in missed funding opportunities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By October 1, 2023, each Orange County school district should develop and maintain a centralized list of district employees with grant application writing capability so that they are prepared to apply for available grants to assist in educating children experiencing homelessness. (F8, F9, F10)
F9
School districts that do not apply for grants which fund programs benefitting children experiencing homelessness miss potential revenue opportunities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By October 1, 2023, each Orange County school district should develop and maintain a centralized list of district employees with grant application writing capability so that they are prepared to apply for available grants to assist in educating children experiencing homelessness. (F8, F9, F10)
F10
McKinney-Vento is an unfunded federally mandated program; however, school districts which qualify and apply for Title I, Part A funds may obtain revenues that can be used for children experiencing homelessness. These funds are insufficient to meet the needs of the school districts supporting children experiencing homelessness.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
By October 1, 2023, each Orange County school district should develop and maintain a centralized list of district employees with grant application writing capability so that they are prepared to apply for available grants to assist in educating children experiencing homelessness. (F8, F9, F10)
R11
By July 1, 2024, the County Board of Supervisors should identify and pursue sustainable financial funding to support all Orange County school districts, with enrolled children experiencing homelessness, in their effort to successfully meet the unfunded Federal mandate to equitably educate these children. (F10)
F11
A lack of reliable transportation for children experiencing homelessness often results in chronic tardiness and absenteeism.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
By May 1, 2024, each Orange County school district administration should develop, and present to the District Board of Education, a plan to lower the Absenteeism Rates of homeless students. (F11, F12)
F12
Chronic Absenteeism Rates of Homeless Students are disproportionately high in comparison with the Chronic Absenteeism Rates of All Students and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
By May 1, 2024, each Orange County school district administration should develop, and present to the District Board of Education, a plan to lower the Absenteeism Rates of homeless students. (F11, F12)
F13
Children experiencing homelessness in Orange County perform at a lower level on standardized tests and have a lower graduation rate than All Students and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
By May 1, 2024, each Orange County school district administration should develop, and present to the District Board of Education, a plan to improve the performance of homeless students in English Language Arts and Math. (F13, F14)
F14
The percent of Homeless Students graduating who failed to meet state standards on English Language Arts and Math tests. is significantly higher than it is for All Students and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
By May 1, 2024, each Orange County school district administration should develop, and present to the District Board of Education, a plan to improve the performance of homeless students in English Language Arts and Math. (F13, F14)
F15
There is a tendency by school districts to operate in isolation, which prevents productive collaboration on addressing the issue of children experiencing homelessness and the challenges of their education.
No recommendations for this finding
F16
A significant lack of affordable permanent housing contributes to many families being caught in the cycle of homelessness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
To address one of the primary barriers to the education of minors experiencing homelessness, the County of Orange should develop a plan to increase the number of family shelters, permanent supportive housing, and low-cost/long term housing for families by January 1, 2024. (F16)

Additional Recommendations 3

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

Commendations 2

Agency Responses 29

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.