Article #7 in a Series >>>>> Departments and Offices of the Minneapolis Public Schools >>>>> Homeless and Foster Care Student Services

As I complete the advanced final draft of my new book, Understanding the Minneapolis Public Schools:  Current Condition, Future Prospect, I am conducting a final review for updating mission statements and staff composition.  I have in the last days and weeks listed and made comments on many offices and departments, with an emphasis on staff members and effectiveness.  In the current series of articles I will be emphasizing departmental function and mission statements, but I will give staff listing updates as I deem useful to my readers and will give staff composition in cases for which I have not previously done so.

 

Here I give information for the MPS Homeless and Foster Care Student Services, drawn from the pertinent portal on the MPS website.

 

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MPS Homeless and Foster Care Student Services

 

Students staying in shelters, hotels, or other temporary situations and students in foster care, have certain rights and legal protections to ensure access to public education.

Minneapolis Public Schools is guided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). These federal laws provide students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care with certain rights so they have access to opportunities that will help them meet the same high academic standards expected of all students in our district.

 How is homelessness defined?

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homelessness as children and youth "who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence."

 

How can MPS help my child in school?

Students who experience homelessness have certain rights provided by the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

How can I access these rights and services?

The main contact for homeless and foster care students and their families in Minneapolis Public Schools is the School Social Worker.

How do I access shelter?

Hennepin County and community providers can help people experiencing homelessness.

How can I help?

There are many ways to get involved.

Homeless and Foster Care Student Services   During the 2016-17 school year: 5,834 identified children and youth experienced homelessness in Minneapolis (includes preschool children and students from other districts) 3,586 were enrolled in MPS schools 8.2% of MPS enrolled students experienced homelessness during the year 27% were birth to five-years-old   Homeless and Foster Care Services Staff   Brenda Breyer, Building Bridges Coordinator Hannah Couming Nemetz, Foster Care Liaison Margo Hurle, Shelter Office Coordinator Tina O’Shaughnesss, Data Tech Ryan Strack, District Liaison for Homeless and                              Highly Mobile Students   Funded Programs Staff   Jennie Zumbrusch, Director of Research and                                           and Accountability Diane Leaskas, Office Specialist, Sr. Sophie Pilhofer, Evaluation Specialist, Sr. Ann Mavis, Evaluation Specialist, Sr.