TEA Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program Updates

Texas Education Agency

March 2021

Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program

kids running up steps, with blue frame

Our thoughts are with you given all the challenges we have faced this past month due to the unprecedented winter storm.

Over the next few months, we will learn more about the lingering effects of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the severe winter storms on our LEAs throughout the state. Thank you for your dedication to our students and families experiencing homelessness during these challenging times.

We hope the following TEHCY program updates, resources, and trainings will be helpful to provide the much-needed support and services to our students and families over the next few months.

FAQ Resource

Resource Highlight

TEA has released a FAQ entitled 2021 Severe Winter Weather: Guidance for Students Experiencing Homelessness.  This FAQ and other severe winter weather resources can be found on the TEA Weather and Disaster webpage.  

 

 

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 Upcoming TEHCY Training Events

 

2021 TEHCY Program Summit

Save the Date! We are excited to announce the 2021 Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, August 3rd, and Thursday, August 5th, 2021.  The summit will once again take place virtually and in collaboration with TEA's event partner, Texas Network of Youth Services (TNOYS). We look forward to building on the success of last year's event to make the 2021 TEHCY Program Summit even more engaging and informative.

Led by the summit theme, The Road to Impact, education professionals will explore how they can support students experiencing homelessness. The event will encourage attendees to draw on their perspectives and expertise as they build skills, forge partnerships, and learn strategies to make a difference in the lives of students experiencing homelessness.

Interested in presenting at this year’s summit? The call for proposals is now open! The summit is a great opportunity to share your expertise with a wide audience, and we encourage districts and open-enrollment charter schools to present.

We will release more details and open registration soon! Find out more and learn about last year’s summit here.

 

TEHCY Program Spring Training Schedule

Learn more about McKinney-Vento program requirements, best practices, and strategies to support students experiencing homelessness. The TEHCY Support Center will provide several statewide trainings during the months of March, April, and May. Each training will be provided three times via Zoom. Register for the date that works best for you!

Supporting Seniors and Unaccompanied Youth Experiencing Homelessness with Post-Secondary Planning and Access

Students experiencing homelessness often feel overwhelmed and unaware of resources and supports available to support their post-secondary goals. Attendees will learn about strategies, tools, and resources available to help high school seniors and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness navigate the financial aid process. 

Date: Thursday, March 25th

Time:  10:30 am – 12:00 pm CST

Registration Link:  https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_TF6uscJdSuOwiVYV3CnC1w

Date:  Wednesday, March 31st

Time:  1:30 pm – 3:00 pm CST

Registration Link:  https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xpvAn-IiRt67KEUPAgBxlw

Date:  Wednesday, May 5th

Time:  10:30 am – 12:00 pm CST

Registration Link:  https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9bVLK6w_QJy1-Vmy7PQkyg

Nuts and Bolts of McKinney-Vento School of Origin and Transportation Services

McKinney-Vento School of Origin transportation is a unique right and protection for students experiencing homelessness. Attendees will learn about LEA responsibilities for ensuring school of origin transportation and strategies to implement and support School of Origin transportation services.

Date: Thursday, April 1st

Time:  10:30 am – 12:00 pm CST

Registration Link:  https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gMSsY6NqQmKkkqBWMB5I8w

Date: Tuesday, April 6th

Time:  1:30 pm – 3:00 pm CST

Registration Link:  https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NLR9aWj6RVKudDqXFKtj7w

Date:  Thursday, May 6th 

Time:  10:30 am – 12:00 pm CST

Registration Link: https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Eg-AZ_ZOQ325pRV6Wf3ZQg

McKinney-Vento 301 | Building Community Connections

This training will provide strategies and best practices to develop and maintain McKinney-Vento program community partnerships to support students experiencing homelessness.

Date:  Tuesday, April 13th

Time:  1:30 pm – 3:00 pm CST

Registration Link:  https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S5Vs7HW6RCeN69G0L06vzw

 Date:  Tuesday, April 20th 

Time:  1:30 pm – 3:00 pm CST

Registration Link: https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_v1Cm29LMSw2HfFzL9ySwBQ

 Date:  Wednesday, May 12th  

Time:  10:30 am – 12:00 pm CST

Registration Link: https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NTKG26LGS1KODq8A0O-jCg

McKinney-Vento 401 | McKinney-Vento Program Best Practices

This training will provide five best practices to support McKinney-Vento Program implementation. Attendees will learn strategies to assist in the development and evaluation of McKinney-Vento professional development, student coding, program data, identification, and intake process.

Date: Thursday, April 15th

Time:  10:30 am – 12:00 pm CST

Registration Link: https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RA8mc6uMRnyK5-3lHROLZQ

Date: Thursday, April 22nd

Time:  10:30 am – 12:00 pm CST

Registration Link: https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SpBfBbsfRyWKylce-9WqcA

Date: Tuesday, May 11th

Time:  1:30 pm – 3:00 pm CST

Registration Link: https://esc13.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m1sBuFtRSbivGZgqKTJkFQ

If you have any questions about these trainings, contact the TEHCY Support Center at: tehcy@esc13.net or call our TEHCY Support Center at 1-800-446-3142.

 

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LEA Spotlight

Liz Madrigales, McKinney-Vento Liaison, Medina Valley ISD

Over the past school year Mrs. Madrigales has been very busy. She recently updated the district McKinney-Vento Program  website (which includes numerous resources). She also authors a monthly McKinney-Vento Smores Newsletter. To ensure families have access to the newsletter, she makes them available through the district “Remind System” (sent directly to families via text to those who have signed up to receive text messages). The newsletter is posted and archived on the McKinney-Vento Program website, so families can review previous editions. Finally, the newsletter is available via social media platforms. 

Mrs. Madrigales also makes hygiene and PPE kits available to students as needed.  The winter kit also includes items to protect against the cold. Finally, she is working with the district to develop a list of high school seniors who will need graduation assistance with a cap and gown.  

 

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