2020 Conference Schedule

Lead Presenter: Michael Santos, Bay Area Legal Aid

Co-Presenters: Kelly-Jo Shebeck, Julie Ratekin, and Jeffrey Ojeda

Description:

As the world rallies to respond to the current public health crisis, schools across the globe have closed their doors to stop the spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19. By mid-April, in the United States alone, at least 55.1 million K-12 students were sheltered at home, with the expectation that, for some open-ended period, they would receive virtual instruction.

Today’s extraordinary circumstances present new challenges for you and other educators striving to continue your core work — whether it be teaching, leading, or policymaking, and whether it be at the K-12 level, in higher education, or in early care and education programs.

This session will deliver resources and guidance, best practices and trends designed to help you continue to make a positive difference in the lives of children, youth, and adults during these difficult times. In addition, as this and similar disasters unfold, it is also imperative that we address self-care.

Lead Presenter: Lakinsha Swinton and Julie Ratekin

Description: During this session, we will work on how to prepare for disasters, how to determine eligibility during disaster situations, how partnerships and collaboration can help provide support to meet education and other needs, and how to remove barriers to services during and after disasters take place.

Lead Presenter: Jan Moore / NCHE

Description: Whether you are brand new to working with the McKinney-Vento Act or just need assurance that you have a good understanding, this session is for you. Staff from the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) will provide an overview of each major theme in the law, the best strategies for implementation, and ways to overcome common barriers to implementation. Participants also will process scenarios to ensure they can apply what they learn to their daily work with students and families.

Lead Presenter: Jolanda Burton / NAEHCY

Description: Unaccompanied homeless youth have unique needs and present challenging questions for schools and service providers. We will review the legal requirements for educating unaccompanied homeless youth, and for providing support services outside of school so that youth can succeed in school. Topics include identification, school enrollment, credit accrual and recovery, applying for federal financial aid, food stamps, TANF, SSI, and child support. The session will provide practical strategies to implement the unaccompanied homeless youth amendments to the McKinney-Vento Act made by the Every Student Succeeds Act, and to welcome, engage, and support unaccompanied homeless youth in school.

Track Focus: COVID-19 Resources, Disaster Preparedness and Response Best Practices, Early Learning

Track Focus: Higher Education, Social and Emotional (to include Racial Equity), and Access to Services

Track Focus: Child Welfare / Foster Youth, Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Track Focus: Academic Achievement, Effective Practices in Program Implementation

Track Focus: Academic Achievement, Effective Practices in Program Implementation