Orange County Grand Jury
• 2022-2023
• Agency Response
Anaheim Union High School District's Response to the 2022-23 Orange County Grand Jury*
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 16 findings
F1
Many children experiencing Disagree. The AUHSD cannot verify that "many" homelessness are not identified as such, Respondent children in Orange County and therefore do not receive the support experiencing homelessness are not disagrees and benefits authorized by the McKinney- wholly or identified as such and therefore do not receive McKinney-Vento services. Vento Act. partially with the finding (see AUHSD has done a thorough job of right for identifying our McKinney-Vento explanation) population. The dwelling type questions are embedded in the online UNLIMITED YOU 🦙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES enrollment process, registrars receive yearly training. This alerts our support staff, social workers, counselors, and community engagement specialists. McKinney-Vento posters are posted in all school front offices.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
develop a "Back to School" plan which n has been Vento training, ongoing consultation with the MV Liaison, and ongoing implemented includes mandatory McKinney-Vento Act training for all district and school support for individual students. administrators, teachers, office staff, and counselors by December 31, 2023, and annually thereafter. Recommendatio The AUHSD McKinney-Vento
F2
The lack of mandatory McKinney-Vento Disagree. The AUHSD provides yearly training for Act training of school site office staff, Respondent staff, registrars, family and community counselors, and teachers contributes to a disagrees and engagement specialists, social failure to identify children experiencing wholly or workers, and other staff receive yearly homelessness. partially with the training and toolkits. This helps our finding (see staff understand the rights of right for homeless youth, the services explanation) available, and protocols on how to address the needs based on barriers to housing and basic needs.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Participation in Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) Liaison participates and in n has been collaboration with the district's McKinney-Vento Act training programs for implemented Education Division Team leaders all Local Education Agencies (LEA) McKinney-Vento Liaisons should be develops professional development for the district's staff and the mandated by October 1, 2023, and community. annually thereafter. Recommendatio The district has in place social
F3
There is disparity in the application of Disagree. The AUHSD provides yearly training for McKinney-Vento regulations across Respondent staff, registrars, family and community Orange County public school districts disagrees and engagement specialists, social which results in unequal access to wholly or workers, and other staff receive yearly educational benefits for children partially with the training and toolkits. This helps our experiencing homelessness. finding (see staff understand the rights of right for homeless youth, the services available, and protocols on how to explanation) address the needs based on barriers to housing and basic needs. We provide a tiered approach to services. Students may only need support with enrollment, school supplies, or basic needs. Families in need of housing assistance are referred to the three- way partnership we have in place with the Anaheim City and the Illumination Foundation. Families are provided with emergency shelter, transitional housing, or services that move them into permanent housing.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Given that most LEA McKinney-Vento workers, counselors, family and Liaisons are responsible for a number of n has been community engagement specialties other duties, and do not have sufficient implemented at all schools who support students time to do their McKinney-Vento required and families. This includes district work, school districts should identify ways to increase support and/or staff to address mid-level managers the support the current McKinney-Vento Liaison. the numerous tasks of the Liaisons by October 1, 2023. Recommendatio AUHSD's enrollment process
F4
The majority of McKinney-Vento Liaisons Disagree. The AUHSD employs social workers, are in full-time positions, but because Respondent family and community specialists, and their work includes multiple non- disagrees other staff who support each site with McKinney-Vento responsibilities, most do wholly or the needs of the students. The not have sufficient time to do the work partially with the McKinney-Vento Liaison is focused on required by the McKinney-Vento Act. finding (see program implementation of a system UNLIMITED YOU 🦙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES right for of identification, tiered services, explanation) community partnerships, and professional development, and support with enrollment and dispute resolution process when needed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
By January 1, 2024, for children includes questions about dwelling or experiencing homelessness to receive n has been housing status. uninterrupted McKinney-Vento benefits, implemented 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. District staff are proactive in Recommendatio
F5
Disagree. The The current AUHSD Liaison has been Many McKinney-Vento Liaisons lack needed experience due to a high turnover Respondent in the position for 12 years. Through rate in those positions. disagrees her effort our district has developed a wholly or comprehensive system of support that partially with the includes tailored professional finding (see development. The McKinney-Vento right for Liaison attends quarter meetings at OCDE where policy, services, and explanation) supports is provided. The McKinney- Vento Liaisons also utilizes the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE).
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
By October 1, 2023, each Orange County school district should develop and n has been researching and applying for available grants. maintain a centralized list of district implemented employees with grant application writing capability so that they are prepared to apply for available grants to assist in educating children experiencing homelessness. UNLIMITED YOU 🦙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
F6
Agree. The A joint task force should be formed by McKinney-Vento Act training is not Respondent the OCDE composed of a district-level mandatory for the majority of McKinney- Vento Liaisons. agrees with the administrator from each Orange finding County school district and leadership from non-profit organizations who serve homeless families, to address absenteeism, low test scores, and low graduation rates of children experiencing homelessness. OCDE will lead a Steering Committee (referred to in R6 as "joint task force") through the Homeless Outreach Promoting Educational Success (HOPES) Collaborative Network Meetings
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
as "joint task force") through the Homeless Outreach Promoting Educational Success (HOPES) Collaborative Network Meetings.
F7
Students experiencing homelessness Disagree. The Because AUHSD is a 7th - 12 grade district, our McKinney-Vento Liaison who are enrolled in an elementary district Respondent and staff work closely with feeder often do not continue to receive disagrees McKinney-Vento benefits when they wholly or school districts to track the transition partially with the of our McKinney Vento students as move to a high school district because the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy finding (see they enroll into 7th grade. The Act (FERPA) prevents the sharing of this right for dwelling type questions are embedded into the enrollment information between districts. explanation) process and registrars are trained yearly and are able to identify students accordingly. OCDE will lead a Steering Committee (referred to in UNLIMITED YOU 🖙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Disagree. The AUHSD has a liaison that has McKinney-Vento funds depend on school Respondent successfully written grant proposals districts submitting grant proposals, but not all districts have employees trained in disagrees which were all awarded. Moving writing grant applications, resulting in wholly or forward, it will be imperative that new missed funding opportunities. partially with the liaisons are trained to write the EHCY finding (see grant. right for explanation) Support for school district liaisons should be available because districts do not typically hire grant writers nor do they provide training for existing staff.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
By May 1, 2024, each Orange County Recommendatio During the 22/23 academic school n has been year, AUHSD implemented an school district administration should Attendance Task Force that made develop, and present to the District Board implemented recommendations for each site to of Education, a plan to lower the Absenteeism Rates of homeless students. address chronic absenteeism for all students, including youth experiencing homelessness. UNLIMITED YOU 🦙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
F9
Agree. The School districts that do not apply for All school districts should apply for grants which fund programs benefiting Respondent these grants. However, support with children experiencing homelessness miss agrees with the grant writing and training are finding important for the school district. potential revenue opportunities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
By May 1, 2024, each Orange County Recommendatio For the 2023-2024 school year, the school district administration should n has been core subjects support structure has develop, and present to the District Board implemented evolved to include a direct connection to the LCAP of Education, a plan to improve the recommendations for Plurilingual performance of homeless students in Scholars, Scholars with Disabilities, English Language Arts and Math. and Foster Youth/McKinney-Vento students, providing support for instructors to make connections to how instructional routines can specifically support students from the aforementioned subgroups. Additionally, starting in the 2022-23 school year, AUHSD entered into a three-year grant with the Orange County Department of Education and a research group, Inflexion, to support student identity in STEM. Teachers and curriculum specialist engaged in professional development workshops centered on how to create student-centered classrooms, supporting Plurilingual Scholars, Scholars with Disabilities, and Foster Youth/McKinney-Vento students, and how to help students engage in the standards for mathematical practices via the data cycle. Recommendatio This data is included in the SARC The Orange County Superintendent of
F10
Agree. The McKinney-Vento is an unfunded federally AUHSD uses a percentage of Title 1, mandated program; however, school Respondent Part A funds for the McKinney Vento agrees with the program. School districts need districts which qualify and apply for Title I, Part A funds may obtain revenues that finding additional and dedicated funds to can be used for children experiencing support and to meet the needs of homelessness. These funds are McKenny-Vento students. A group insufficient to meet the needs of the that consistently struggles are unaccompanied minors, funding to school districts supporting children support their unique needs, for experiencing homelessness. example, is lacking.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
report for each school. The reports Schools should provide information from n has been are published yearly, submitted to the School Accountability Report (SARC) implemented OCDE, and available for public view to the Board of Supervisors identifying the on each school's website. number and describing the performance of children experiencing homelessness in Orange County public schools. This data should include the aggregate of students in each district who are experiencing homelessness, their chronic absenteeism rates, and the high school graduation rate, and the percent who meet or exceed state standards in English and Math, starting October 31, 2023, and yearly thereafter. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you. UNLIMITED YOU 🖙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES Sincerely, Dr. Adela Cruz, LCSW Director, School Mental Health & Wellness McKinney-Vento (Homelessness) / Foster Youth Programs [email protected] Office: 714-999-773
F11
Disagree. The AUHSD uses several transportation A lack of reliable transportation for Respondent children experiencing homelessness often services for students. What is needed results in chronic tardiness and disagrees is additional funding to support the wholly or high needs of youth. Districts provide absenteeism. transportation support for both foster partially with the youth and McKinney-Vento youth. finding (see right for explanation) AUHSD is building alternative
No recommendations for this finding
F12
Chronic Absenteeism Rates of Homeless Agree. The Students are disproportionately high in Respondent education programs, such as online comparison with the Chronic agrees with the schools, independent study programs paired with support services, such as Absenteeism Rates of All Students and finding transportation services. Students are Socio-Disadvantaged Students. UNLIMITED YOU 🦙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES able to attend their school of origin, school of residence, or an alternative education site. The district provides mental health services when needed, basic needs and school items when needed. During the 22/23 academic school year, AUHSD implemented an Attendance Task Force that made
No recommendations for this finding
F13
Disagree. The Children experiencing homelessness in This statement is very broad and does Orange County perform at a lower level Respondent not apply to all students. on standardized tests and have a lower disagrees graduation rate than All Students and wholly or Socioeconomically Disadvantaged partially with the Students. finding (see right for explanation)
No recommendations for this finding
F14
The percent of Homeless Students Disagree. The This statement is very broad and does Respondent graduating who failed to meet state not apply to all students. standards on English Language Arts and disagrees Math tests is significantly higher than it is wholly or for All Students and Socioeconomically partially with the Disadvantaged Students. finding (see right for explanation)
No recommendations for this finding
F15
Disagree. The There is a tendency by school districts to AUHSD has both formal and informal operate in isolation, which prevents Respondent agreements with multiple agencies in productive collaboration on addressing disagrees the area of housing, basic needs, the issue of children experiencing wholly or food, et. AUHSD has a formal homelessness and the challenges of their partially with the agreement with Anaheim City who finding (see education. supports our Homeless Assistance right for Program with Illumination Foundation. explanation)
No recommendations for this finding
F16
A significant lack of affordable permanent Agree. The housing contributes to many families Respondent agrees with the being caught in the cycle of homelessness. finding Please see below for the responses to each required Recommendation as requested in the Orange County Grand Jury report and attached cover letter dated May 19, 2023. UNLIMITED YOU 🦙 501 NORTH CRESCENT WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92801 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES Implementation R #
No recommendations for this finding
* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.