Addressing Homelessness in Catoosa County: Initiatives and Services

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Catoosa County faces challenges in providing shelters, public transportation, and affordable housing for its homeless population. However, the community has come together to support McKinney Vento students with initiatives like tutoring programs and clothing assistance through Just Jeans. Homeless unaccompanied youth also receive necessary support to ensure their educational success.

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MCKINNEY-VENTO LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL MELISSA HOLCOMBE, DSW, LCSW SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER HOMELESS LIAISON/FOSTER CARE POC

CATOOSA COUNTY Semi-rural county bordering Tennessee and split by I-75 Student population- May 2018- 10,696 50% qualified for free/reduced meals Average McKinney Vento population- 350 (about 3% of the total student population)

WHAT WE DONT HAVE IN CATOOSA COUNTY No shelters of any kind- homeless, domestic violence, children s No public transportation Not enough affordable/accessible housing

WHAT CATOOSA DOES HAVE Strong faith-based community Civic Organizations Individuals who care about their community! People want to help. You just have to tell them how.

HOMELESS SERVICES All McKinney Vento students are eligible for free meals, transportation to the school of origin, participation in school-based extra-curricular activities, immediate enrollment, partial credit, and comparable services.

CATOOSA INITIATIVES Tutoring Program Just Jeans Senior Case Management

TUTORING PROGRAM Designed for K-8 students experiencing homelessness and failing in one or more core areas. Tutors are retired teachers One-to-one ratio 2x per week Funding sources: grant, donations, fund-raising

JUST JEANS Developed to address the high need for teen clothing. Jeans are universally accepted. Location for storage provided by local church Shelving donated and built by Georgia Extension Office Bins purchased with MV grant Maintained by social work interns and school clubs

HOMELESS UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH Defined as any youth that is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and also qualifies as homeless based on the McKinney Vento criteria. The law does not differentiate between students who have been kicked out of their home or who have left their home of their own volition.

CASE MANAGEMENT FOR HOMELESS, UNACCOMPANIED SENIORS Why? Homeless, unaccompanied youth experience many adult issues that they are unprepared to navigate. These students often do not have any adult to rely on. This population is often only visible to school personnel when they affect graduation rates. Their success means a stronger community.

CATOOSA COUNTY SENIOR CASE MANAGER Donna Graham- Retired middle school counselor. Funded through the McKinney Vento grant and fund- raising activities. Program implemented Fall 2016. Remember: Your program is only as good as the people you select to implement it!

SERVICES Individual FAFSA assistance Physical exam Vision testing and glasses, if needed Dental cleaning, x-rays, and follow-up dental care Certified copy of birth certificate Assistance in obtaining social security card and GA ID Individual post-high school college and career planning

THIS IS GREAT! WHERE DOES THE FUNDING COME FROM? Answer: EVERYWHERE! McKinney Vento sub-grant Partnerships (Example: Primary Health Care) Fund-raising initiatives (Ex. Catoosa Leadership) Private individual donations ($4,500 from 2 donors) Small group/organization donations (Ex. Senior holiday gift cards)

DONT FORGET THE NECESSITIES! Personal care items- needed on a regular basis Sunday school groups at several churches bring me feminine care products, deodorant, tooth paste and tooth brushes, body wash, shampoo and conditioner, and unscented laundry pods on a regular basis. I deliver them to the school nurses.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! Never say no to donations, but make suggestions based on your kids needs. Civic organizations and church Sunday school groups are great for this. Encourage them to think year-round, not just a beginning of school donation. Example: Ft. Oglethorpe First Baptist supplies my homeless Seniors with LL Bean backpacks.

HOW DO YOU DEVELOP YOUR NETWORK? Requires a time commitment, but is invaluable! Be willing to ask civic groups if you can come present to their group and show up! Ask your local newspaper to do an article about McKinney Vento and list some needs in the article. Be willing to go on your local television station. Present at your Family Collaborative. I will go anywhere, at any time, to talk about my homeless kids!

OTHER IDEAS Any donation to your school system is tax deductible. Ask your finance department to set up a separate account for MV non-federal funds. See if your Chamber of Commerce has a leadership academy and approach them about making homeless students the focus of their required project.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND Our homeless teens are just like any other teens, they want name brand stuff to feel like they fit in. To feel like they matter. They deserve to be treated like anyone would treat their own child. As the liaison, we must find a way to convey this to our donors without them feeling insulted. Confidentiality is essential, even when they turn 18. I just sent thank you notes to last year s donors to thank them for their assistance and to tell them how many kids we had that qualified as MV. Numbers get attention.

ALWAYS IMPROVING! IDEAS BASED ON POPULATION NEEDS Couples Mentoring Program: Our students are generally not exposed to healthy adult relationships Couples would be assigned a homeless, unaccompanied Senior to mentor. Commitment would be a weekly phone call, bi-weekly school visit, and one monthly off-campus visit.

WE CAN DREAM, CANT WE? Youth Hostel Specifically to address homeless, unaccompanied teenage boys from 17 to 20 years old enrolled in our schools. Based loosely on an established program-Family Promise Faith-based community support. Provides shelter and case management.