Category: McKinney-Vento

Regional Conversations for McKinney-Vento Liaisons and Organizations

Join the Maine Department of Education for In Person Spring Regional Meetings:

  • Hear updates on federal, state, and local policies and resources for students and families who are homeless or have unstable housing
  • Learn how to increase your school and district’s capacity to support students
  • Hear strategies to improve student engagement and support from Jessa Wyman with New Beginnings
  • Brainstorm solution-oriented strategies affecting youth in your school and community
  • Network with colleagues from other schools and organizations in your region

Dates and Times for Schools and Organizations in Your Region!

York & Cumberland Counties
People’s Choice Bank
23 Industrial Park Road, Saco
Thursday, March 30
9:30 am -12:00 pm

Mid Coast, Kennebec & Somerset Counties
Burton M. Cross Office Building
111 Sewall Street, Augusta
Room 103 A&B
Wednesday, April 5
9:00-11:30 am

Androscoggin, Franklin, & Oxford Counties
Lewiston Central Office, Dingley Conference Room
36 Oak Street, Lewiston
Tuesday, April 11 9:00 – 11:30 am

Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties
Wings for Children and Families, 900 Hammond St, #915, Bangor
Thursday, April 27
8:15– 10:30 am

Washington & Hancock Counties
Department of Labor
53 Prescott Drive, Machias
Thursday, April 27
1:00- 3:20pm

Aroostook County
Department of Labor
66 Spruce Street
Presque Isle
Friday, April 28 9:00-11:30am

No cost to participants ~ Registration is required. REGISTER HERE.

For More Information Contact:

Amelia Lyons at amelia.lyons@maine.gov or Susan Lieberman at susan.lieberman88@gmail.com

November is National Runaway Prevention Month – Get Involved!

We hope you will join us this November to Shine a Light on youth experiencing homelessness. Use these resources to get involved.

Also, there are many events you can get involved with. Here are some highlights:

November 10: Wear Green Day

Serving Students Experiencing Housing Instability: Regional Conversations for McKinney-Vento Liaisons and Organizations

Join us for In-Person Fall Regional Meetings            

  • Hear updates on federal, state, and local policies and resources for students and families who are homeless or have unstable housing
  • Learn how to increase your school and district’s capacity to support students
  • Hear youth perspective and strategies to improve student engagement for students with housing instability from the New Beginnings Youth Action Board members
  • Brainstorm solution-oriented strategies affecting youth in your school and community
  • Network with colleagues from other schools and organizations in your region

Dates and Times for Schools and Organizations in Your Region!

Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties
Bangor High School, 885 Broadway
Thursday, October 13
8:15-10:30am

Washington & Hancock Counties
University of Maine at Machias
Thursday, October 13
1:00- 3:15pm

Aroostook County
University of Maine Presque Isle, MMG Center
Friday, October 14
9:00-11:15am

Androscoggin, Franklin, & Oxford Counties
Lewiston Central Office, Dingley Building Conference Room
Wednesday, November 16
8:30-10:45am

Mid Coast, Kennebec & Somerset Counties
University of Maine at Augusta, Randall Student Center, Fireside Lounge
Wednesday, December 7
9:00-11:15am

York & Cumberland Counties
DHHS Regional Office, 457 Alfred St, Biddeford
Thursday, December 8
9:00-11:15am

No cost to participants ~ Registration is required. REGISTER HERE. 

Download a printable Flyer

For More Information Contact:

McKinney-Vento Liaison Annual Training

You can receive your 22-23 McKinney-Vento certificate from the Maine Department of Education (DOE) by participating in a Zoom training session with Amelia Lyons amelia.lyons@maine.gov

Sessions are open to M-V Liaisons and any interested staff.  See below for schedule! Choose the session time that is convenient for you. These will be the same session repeated, with lots of time for dialogue, breakout rooms, and resource sharing:

Location Date Time
Zoom: Register here Wednesday, September 14 10am-12pm
Zoom: Register here Thursday, September 29 9am-11am
Zoom: Register here Tuesday, October 18 10am-12pm
Zoom: Register here Wednesday, October 26 12pm-2pm

 

Lewiston Uses ARP ESSER III Funds to Support Students Experiencing Housing Instability

Amelia Lyons, DOE McKinney-Vento State Coordinator, had the opportunity to visit Lewiston Public Schools with their district McKinney-Vento liaison, Dan Sansoucy to support in their programming for students experiencing housing instability.

McKinney-Vento is a federal program for all students in public schools in the country, Pre-K through graduation, who might not have a stable place to live, including families who are staying with others due to a loss of housing, staying in hotels, motels, campgrounds, shelters, cars, public spaces, or substandard housing. McKinney-Vento can provide support with transportation, meals, school supplies, referrals, and other support. If you think you know a family who may qualify, connect with your school and ask for the local liaison. If you would like to learn more, call Amelia Lyons at 207-557-1787 or amelia.lyons@maine.gov

The Lewiston School Department is dedicated to providing educational equity and excellence for all students experiencing homelessness. They have a partnership with the Store Next Door, which provides supplemental services to help eliminate barriers to education for youth and families experiencing high mobility and homelessness, living within Lewiston, by addressing students’ basic needs.  The Store Next Door Project provides tangible items such as new and gently used clean clothing and footwear, winter coats and boots, backpacks and school supplies, underwear and socks, toiletries and hygiene products, household goods and cleaning supplies, laundry facilities, showers, gas cards and bus/cab vouchers, food, Lewiston High School logo items and sports team gear.  Lewiston has used ARP ESSER III funds to refurbish space at the Longley building to offer student support services- currently the home base for the Store Next Door. This space will provide a much needed opportunity for students to access resources including academic support services, counseling, food services, clothing assistance, community resource information, and more.

The Lewiston School Department also hosted outreach events to connect with families during the summer months,  using ESSER funds. Canvas and event outreach has offered opportunities for school staff to check in on and stay connected with our identified homeless youth and their families as well as promote summer student support services and academic opportunities.