You asked for information on the law as it relates to homeless preschoolers in Connecticut. You also wanted information on a program in Massachusetts that offers comprehensive services to homeless preschoolers. Your question on homeless children and programs offering comprehensive services to homeless preschoolers will be addressed in a separate report.

MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 USC 11431 et seq. ), initially passed by Congress in 1987, set out a number of requirements for states and school districts receiving funds to ensure the education of homeless children. (For a detailed description of the Act’s provisions, see OLR Report 2002-R-0561). Although the Act did not specifically apply to homeless preschoolers, in 1992, the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a policy brief encouraging Head Start programs to eliminate barriers to enrolling homeless families along the same lines as the Act. A copy of the policy brief is available at www. nlchp. org/FA_Education.

With its 1994 reauthorization, the McKinney-Vento Act specifically included preschool programs within its definition of free, appropriate public education (42 U. S. C. §11431(1)). Under the Act as reuathorized, states must provide homeless preschoolers with access to programs on the same basis as other students and must describe procedures to ensure access in their state plans (42 U. S. C. §11432(g)(1)(F)(i)). School district liaisons must ensure that families and children experiencing homelessness can enroll in Head Start and Even Start programs and preschool programs administered by the school district.

States must use McKinney-Vento grants in part to provide activities and services for preschoolers in homeless situations, so they can enroll in, attend, and succeed in preschool programs (42 U. S. C. §11432(d)(2)). State coordinators must coordinate with agencies that serve preschoolers, including child development and preschool personnel, to improve the provision of comprehensive services to children (42 U. S. C. §§11432(f)(4), (f)(5)(A)). Local education agencies (LEAs) can use their McKinney-Vento subgrants to provide early childhood education programs for children in homeless situations, if such programs are not otherwise provided through federal, state, or local funding (42 U. S. C. §11433(d)(6)).

According to the Connecticut State Department of Education (SDE), only 15 LEAs currently receive McKinney-Vento subgrants. Of these 15, only one district’s primary grant objective is to provide a preschool program for homeless children. LEARN administers a preschool program at the Thames River Homeless Shelter in Norwich. The goals and objectives of the other 14 LEAs are primarily focused on improving and providing supplementary services to compulsory school age students. For 2003-04, 215 homeless preschoolers in Connecticut were served by McKinney-Vento subgrants. The SDE does not track the total number of homeless preschool aged students in Connecticut or the total number of homeless children receiving preschool services in Connecticut.

MASSACHUSETTS PROGRAM

Horizons for Homeless Children was founded in 1988 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to providing a range of services to homeless children in Massachusetts. Under the auspices of their Community Children’s Centers, the organization has provided comprehensive, full-time early care and education for homeless children and support services to their families since 1994. The Centers serve children ages two months to six years.   There are three qualified early childhood teachers in each classroom, as well as volunteers and specialists.   Transportation is offered between the shelters and Community Children's Centers.   Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided. The curriculum is tailored specifically towards the needs of homeless children. Family Advocates provide ongoing case management, support groups, parent programs, workshops and individual counseling. GED, tutoring services and on-site job training are offered. Family Advocates also sponsor a wide range of parenting education and support groups such as the Nurturing Program, Budgeting, Housing Search, Legal Issues and Parenting groups.   Parents are required to be actively engaged in school, job training programs, or full or part-time employment for a minimum of 20 hours per week while enrolled in the Community Children's Center. Today, the Centers serve almost 130 children. Since 1994, more than 700 children have been served by the Community Children's Centers.

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