Riding the Waves Together
Riding the Waves Together
Riding the Waves Together: Navigating and Networking for Our Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness
Conference Presentations
Click on the Session Titles below to review the Session Descriptions and Speakers, and to download the presentations (if available).
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This interactive session will navigate through a high-level overview of the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness! Participants will receive a quick summary of each of the various provisions including identification, enrollment, liaison responsibilities, and collaboration. If you are new to homeless education, please steer yourself to this session.
Karmina Barrales, California Department of Education
Leanne Wheeler, California Department of Education
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This session, Building Equitable Support through a Tiered System, provides an overview of a multi-tiered system of support model for McKinney-Vento students. This will include a breakdown of the model, the services provided at each tier, the needed individuals and their roles, and the necessary supporting materials. Our team will share their experiences including how to measure progress with data. Attendees will walk away with a toolkit to support implementation and an understanding of key roles, the tiers of services, and how to prioritize students within the model.
Kayla Antes, National Center For Youth Law
Andrea Diaz, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Donnie Everett, Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Margaret Olmos, National Center For Youth Law
Dr. Donna Smith, Monterey County Office of Education
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Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County Youth Housing program centers and serves intersectional, marginalized, LGBTQIA+ , Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ages 12-24, and individuals within the Foster Care System and Juvenile Justice system. This presentation will provide education and resources on servicing and supporting LGBTQIA+ transitional age homeless youth. The presentation will educate on Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and how to service Intersectional identities.
Dana Johnson, Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa County
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We have all heard the saying “ it takes a village” to raise a child. Learn about how one district utilized a village approach to support families experiencing homelessness. Using a collaborative approach spanning several different district departments, capacity has been built within the system and allowed for creative problem-solving to address needs.
Mercedes Hubschmitt, Poway Unified School District
Laura Upson, Poway Unified School District
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Join the rural HETAC team for a facilitated discussion on the challenges, opportunities and strategies for serving homeless youth in rural areas. Share your experiences and learn from others who are working in California's rural schools. Grow your network of fellow rural educators and bring back successful strategies to your communities.
Meagan Meloy, Butte County Office of Education
Jessica Thomas, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
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NO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE
Karen Rice, SchoolHouse Connection
A Block: Day 1: 10:45 am - Noon
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Our session will include an overview into the new legislation guiding Community College Basic Needs programs and how American River College and Sacramento City College are implementing the programs required by the state. Hear about how high school students are matriculated into the system as well as the programs and services available to them once they are registered.
Valerie Adger, American River College
Sarah Pauter, John Burton Advocates for Youth
Jillian Sitjar, SchoolHouse Connection
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Collaborative Partnerships are essential in meeting the needs of unhoused youth. Join us to learn more about the importance of connecting entities that specialize in helping youth stay in school while helping them navigate through the challenges of homelessness.
Jeanne Awrey, Orange County Department of Education
Mickey DeLaCruz, Orange County Department of Education
Wendy Rogan, Orange County Department of Education
Elida Sanchez, Orange County Department of Education
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Learn how to maximize American Rescue Plan and LCAP funding to identify and re-engage McKinney-Vento, foster, and at promise students disconnected from education during the pandemic. Increase educational outcomes by utilizing peer to peer and school-based mentoring programs. San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) Children Deserve Success (CDS) established Peer Support Associates positions for youth who have experienced homelessness, and/or lived experience in foster care that work directly with educators, students, and community agencies.
Brenda Dowdy, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Daisy Esparza, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Shonie Perry, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
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As a CDE Homeless Innovative Programs Grantee, Alhambra Unified School District’s (AUSD) homeless education program (A Reason to HOPE) developed and refined new practices over the years to meet the changing needs of homeless families within the community. Families responded positively as they were linked to resources and agencies with expertise in providing both long and short term recovery pathways. Attendees will learn how AUSD assesses the needs of this population, the referral process for case management services and see previews of eight parent workshops, provided by community partnerships on topics designed to educate families as they navigate these challenges.
Tina Dunn, Catalyst San Gabriel Valley
Lee Hanacek, Alhambra Unified School District
Rosibel Pichardo, Catalyst San Gabriel Valley
Vanessa Sandoval, Alhambra Unified School District
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This panel will present youth insights and recommendations from Oakland High School’s 3-year Y-PLAN partnership with the OUSD McKinney-Vento Office. This partnership led to critical policy explorations with CDE into:
• Deepening Academic Rigor for College Readiness
• Connecting Housing Access to MK-V Education Policy
• Sustaining the Change from today’s system-building innovations
Attendees will walk away with a practical toolkit including tips and strategies for engaging youth in programming, using data to track SEH academic outcomes, increasing housing access networks, and more!
Mara Ingrid Ang, Center for Cities & Schools
Anthony Carrasco, Berkeley Law
Deborah McKoy, UC Berkeley Center for Cities + Schools
Debbie Shen, UC Berkeley
Jeremy Simon, UC Berkeley
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NO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE
Dr. Jennifer Kottke, Los Angeles County Office of Education - Homeless Education Program
Leanne Wheeler, California Department of Education
B Block: Day 1: 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
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So often foster and homeless students are only seen as victims, having problems, or needing therapy. We want to change this perception. Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Foster & Homeless Education Department, in collaboration with our Safe and Healthy Kids Department, has developed a Leadership Academy for students in foster care and those experiencing homelessness that focuses on utilizing students’ strengths to develop leadership skills and giving back to the community through volunteerism. Cohorts of students participate in team building, goal setting, self-reflection, and outdoor education activities as they learn to lead themselves and others and build resiliency and hope that they can overcome their circumstances. Learn about this program and experience the leadership strategies used. Walk away with ideas of how to develop a similar program in your community. This program can be used to support student social-emotional needs as well as build skills to improve academic performance and participation in school.
Joshua Blecha, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Amanda Meeker, Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Brent Smither, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
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In this session, participants will learn innovative ways to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness. Focal points will include the development of authentic, trust-based relationships, community partnerships, college/career readiness, professional development, social-emotional learning, and family partnerships.
Yasmin Dorado, Antelope Valley Union High School District
Angela Fields, Antelope Valley Union High School District
Dr. Robert Harris, Antelope Valley Union High School District
Kalani Logan, Antelope Valley Union High School District
Cynthia Mesler, Antelope Valley Union High School District
David Rivas, Antelope Valley Union High School District
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What is your McKinney-Vento identification Process? Learn how Hacienda La Puente Unified School District developed the H.E.A.R.T Program to increase identification, demonstrate increased educational outcomes, and expand collaboration with community agencies to leverage resources and support. Effective collaborations require intentional planning and outreach. We do our best work supporting students experiencing homelessness when we work collaboratively with students, districts, schools, parents, and community partners. Participants will walk away with a comprehensive toolkit of innovative ideas and strategies, templates, forms, and materials that can be easily replicated and effectively implemented in districts of all sizes.
Maritza Cabezas, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Equity and Access Family Engagement
Martha Calderon, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Equity and Access Family Engagement
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The Chino Community Alliance (CCA) will share their journey of working within the confines of collaborative partnerships to ultimately establishing "Systemic Alliances" which have redefined Chino Valley schools and community.
Liz Lara, Chino Valley Unified School District
Michelle Meza, Chino Valley Unified School District
Ana Lizzeth Ordonez, Chino Valley Unified School District
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Learn strategies used by COE liaisons in rural Nevada County to initiate and develop a community effort focused on the identification of children ages 0-5 experiencing housing transition. In a community with no Early Head Start/Head Start facility, they had to get creative to engage partners- many of whom were unfamiliar with the federal McKinney-Vento Act. Participants will be guided in developing their own outreach strategies and action plan for connecting to 0-5 service providers within their community. Additionally, they will receive access to materials used by the NCSOS team, developed in partnership with the California Department of Education. This session is of value for those who are looking to strengthen and understand early education in their county.
Karmina Barrales, California Department of Education
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NO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE
Sarah Pauter, John Burton Advocates for Youth
Jillian Sitjar, SchoolHouse Connection
C Block: Day 1: 3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
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This session will include a live demonstration of DataQuest, the California School Dashboard and an introduction to the new GIS map for students experiencing homelessness in California.
PRESENTATION NOT AVAILABLE
Sarajean Zocklein, California Department of Education
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This interactive session will address the federal and state requirements as they relate to sustaining your homeless education program using Title I, Part A reservation funds. It will provide participants with strategies to determine set-aside amounts, the allowable uses of these funds, and state reporting requirements. Show us the Title I monies!
Leanne Wheeler, California Department of Education
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Attendees will hear how SDCOE has implemented a countywide emergency hotel stay program for McKinney-Vento families using ARP HCY funding. We will outline how we utilized the funding under current guidelines, started a program without becoming a housing provider, how we contract, and provide additional services to families. Find out how blown away we have been by the response to this service and what our liaisons have to say.
Linda Lee Garibay, San Diego County Office of Education
Susie Terry, San Diego County Office of Education
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Learn how COEs and districts in the Bay Area have partnered with the Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC) to coordinate resources and build on community school practices to support McKinney Vento students. The community school model is an equity-driven initiative, based on building the relationship between school and community, offering a high range of community services at school, and highly focused on family engagement, all opportunities to better identify McKinney Vento students and remove barriers to accessing services. LEA Homeless Education Liaisons will learn more about ways to leverage resources, increase school-community collaboration, and improve access to a wide range of integrated student support at schools.
Martine Blake, West Contra Costa Unified School District
Alejandra Chamberlain, Contra Costa County Office of Education
Regina Helmer, Amador County Office of Education
Mark Yost, San Joaquin County Office of Education
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All children, adults and families in San Luis Obispo County have access to streamlined systems of care that are tailored to meet their unique needs and circumstances. Families will be empowered to make decisions that best meet their family’s needs and are supported in being self-sufficient and physically, mentally and emotionally safe and healthy. Families will be able to move seamlessly between system partners and have equal access to services and supports throughout the county.
John Acosta, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
Carrie Collins, The Link Family Resource Center
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NO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE
Sarah Pauter, John Burton Advocates for Youth
Jillian Sitjar, SchoolHouse Connection
D Block: Day 2: 10:15 am - 11:30 am
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This experiential learning session will put every participant 'in the shoes' of a young person engaging with systems, aiming to address the needs of children and young people. Many of these young people have experienced high levels of trauma, violence, instability, and loss. Using integrative teaching and simulations developed in collaboration with young people with lived experience, we will explore what it is like to be a young person moving through various services, including education, foster care, youth justice, homelessness, and more.
NO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE
Brian Blalock , Youth Law Center
Angela Vigil, Baker McKenzie
Simulation Session: 10:15 am - 12:30 pm
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Learn how to implement a school site liaison pilot project within an LEA, with the goal of increasing the level of support for youth experiencing homelessness. Session will include how to recruit staff and students, provide direct services to homeless youth, facilitate enrollment and case management to achieve academic success. The focus is on providing on-site support with the common goal of implementing educational outcomes, referring youth to appropriate educational and vocational programs, assessing the needs of McKinney-Vento students and making appropriate referrals and intervention recommendations. Discover the benefits of the project and the positive collaborative network between school sites, best practices and lessons learned.
Barbara Aguilar, Antioch Unified School District
Gina Bills, Contra Costa County Office of Education
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The participants in this session will build their capacity on who are SLIFE students, how are they identified, implemented teaching and learning environments, our roles from administrators and beyond, support systems for students and their families.
Dr. Connie Cervera, Oxnard Union High School District
Mayra Estrada, Oxnard Union High School District
Katalina Martinez, Oxnard Union High School District
Karen Rice, SchoolHouse Connection
Erendira Soria, Oxnard Union High School District
Carrie Wolfe, Oxnard Union High School District
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The presentation introduces the physiological impacts of trauma on the brain and possible emotional, behavioral, and academic impacts on students, with an emphasis on youth experiencing housing transitions. The presentation explores school-wide trauma informed care strategies to enhance safety, build connections, foster youth self-efficacy and promote hope. We will explore self-care strategies for the educator to encourage staff wellness and prevent burnout. Participants will take away an understanding of trauma and how it affects the brain and student-teacher relationship. Participants will be able to implement trauma informed strategies at school sites. Participants will gain an understanding of the importance of practicing self-care.
Dr. Michele Einspar, San Diego Unified School District
Amanda Urena, San Diego Unified School District
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Youth experiencing homelessness on their own are at much higher risk for dropping out of school and being victims of assault, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation. Have you wondered how students end up experiencing homelessness on their own and how you can help address their educational and other needs? Join us in this session for a refresher on unaccompanied youth basics, as well as a deeper dive into questions like: Who can sign school and other documents on behalf of an unaccompanied youth? When do I need to contact child welfare when working with a youth on their own? Can an unaccompanied youth consent to their own medical treatment? What rights do the youth's parents or guardians have? This session will explore these, and other questions related to unaccompanied youth and provide you with resources and tools as you navigate the unique circumstances many of these youth find themselves in.
Christina Dukes, Pearl Strategies
Susie Terry, San Diego County Office of Education
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Learn by doing with a team from Fusion Charter. Participants will observe videos of staff and students from Fusion Charter present live demonstrations of Fusion's Talking Circles for new families enrolling students in our trauma-responsive alternative school for Grades 7-12, which includes a higher than average percentage of students identified as homeless. Audience members will then be invited to experience a practice "welcoming circle" as participants with Fusion staff and students, to be followed up by a brief question and answer session.
David Ashby, Fusion Charter School
Mark Evanoff, Fusion Charter School
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NO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE
Karmina Barrales, California Department of Education
E Block: Day 2: 11:45 am - 1:00 pm