Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program - McKinney-Vento

Welcome to the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program, also known as Title IX, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (as amended in 2015).  The purpose of this program is to ensure that every child and youth experiencing homelessness has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to their peers living in stable housing.

Educating children and youth in Montana who are experiencing homelessness presents many unique challenges due to the nature of our state. Most of our school districts are small and rural, with dedicated staff members filling multiple roles.  Our communities have few resources or services designed to meet the needs of these families and youth, such as emergency shelters, transitional housing, or soup kitchens. Despite these challenges, our educators and communities work tirelessly to meet the needs of Montana's most vulnerable children.

Data on the number of homeless students identified by Montana school districts is available through the Montana longitudinal student data warehouse (GEMS).  This information is updated at the end of each school year.  For current information contact the individual district homeless liaisons.

Resources

Federal Laws
State Laws
Federal Guidance
State Guidance

Neglected, Delinquent or At-Risk Youth

Purposes of Title I, Part D

  1. Improve educational services for children and youth in local and State institutions for neglected or delinquent children and youth so that they have the opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic content and State student achievement standards that all children in the State are expected to meet;
  2. Provide these children with services to enable them to transition successfully from institutionalization to further schooling or employment; and
  3. Prevent at-risk youth from dropping out of school as well as to provide dropouts and children and youth returning from correctional facilities or institutions for neglected or delinquent children and youth, with a support system to ensure their continued education.
Subpart 1

The Subpart 1 program provides funding to state agencies to improve educational services for students up to age 21 who are incarcerated in adult or juvenile facilities. The OPI provides funding to the Montana Department of Corrections (DOC) for programs located in the Montana State Prison, Montana Women's Prison, and Pine Hills Correctional Facility. Funding for this program is determined by a federal formula based on the number of eligible students residing at the facility during the October count period. Subgrant funds are awarded to the DOC, which determines the amounts allotted to each of the three programs.

Title I-D Subpart 1 Monitoring Tool

Subpart 2

The Subpart 2 program provides funding to local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve educational services for students up to age 18 who are living in residential facilities for children in the foster care system or the juvenile justice system, are returning from placement in state or local correctional facilities, or who meet other federal guidelines for being “at risk” of not successfully completing their education. Funding for this program is determined by a federal formula based on the number of eligible students residing at facilities licensed by the Montana Department of Health and Human Services during the October count period. The OPI then determines which districts are eligible based on the October student count and disburses funds through a subgrant process.

Title I-D Subpart 2 Monitoring Tool

Spring COP

Great Falls, MT

April 27, 28, 29

Please reach out to Marisa at Marisa.Britton-Bostwick@mt.gov for more information or if you are interested in attending.

The purpose of the High-Tiered Community of Practice is work together toward positive outcomes to support and foster successful reintegration of those in our care. "Our kids are your kids."

The Goals of the High-Tiered Community of Practice are to develop transition protocols for students, network on best practices, and provide professional development for educating students that are neglected and/or delinquent.

Spring COP

Great Falls, MT

April 27, 28, 29

Please reach out to Marisa at Marisa.Britton-Bostwick@mt.gov for more information or if you are interested in attending.

OPI Staff Are Here to Help

Justine Guthrie, State Homeless Education Coordinator, 406-444-2036

Marisa Britton-Bostwick Title I Part D Specialist, 406-444-0794

Title I, Part A—Foster Care

Welcome to the Title I, Part A Foster Care Program, established on December 10, 2016, under the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA). The purpose of this program is to ensure that children and youth in foster care have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education provided to their peers living with biological parents or legal guardians.

Educating Montana’s children in foster care is a collaborative effort among the Office of Public Instruction (OPI), the Child and Family Services Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Youth Services Division of the Montana Department of Corrections, Tribal Social Services, and local school districts. Working together, these agencies, group homes, and Montana families provide children in foster care with the support they need to succeed in school and in their communities.

OPI Staff Are Here to Help

Marisa Britton-Bostwick, Foster Care Point of Contact, 406-444-0794>