McKinney - Vento
Project HEARTBEAT
Homeless Education & Awareness Raising Through Barrier Elimination And Training
About Us
Project HEARTBEAT works to ensure all children and youth who are experiencing homelessness can enroll in, attend, and succeed in school by eliminating barriers to school enrollment and attendance. We seek to increase and improve the emotional well-being and academic achievement of students experiencing homelessness. Project HEARTBEAT works with children and unaccompanied youth who are experiencing homelessness to meet their basic needs, and to ensure their rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act are met by providing programs and opportunities that might not otherwise be available for these students. We work to enhance student learning by impacting the quality of education. This is accomplished by offering enhanced opportunities including participation in the BISD Mentor Program and resources available in the community.
About McKinney-Vento
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Act (Section 725) specifies and protects the rights of children and youth in homeless situations. The education provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act, which are now incorporated within No Child Left Behind, ensure educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Additionally, the law applies to homeless unaccompanied youth who also receive special attention within the Act.
The Act’s Key Provisions
Immediate Enrollment – The right to be enrolled immediately in school, without proof of residency, immunization and/or academic records, birth certificates, and other documents usually required for enrollment, regardless of district policy.
Transportation – Students experiencing homelessness are entitled to transportation to and from their school of origin, if it is in the student’s best interest, and requested by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth.
Services – Students experiencing homelessness are entitled to the same programs and services that are available to other children in the school district. These might include gifted and talented education, special education, vocational education, English Language Learner services, and tutoring. Students are automatically eligible for Title I services, and the school district must set aside funds as necessary to provide services.
Dispute Resolution – If problems arise between the school (or school district) and parents, the parents shall be referred to the school’s McKinney-Vento liaison. During the dispute process, the student will remain enrolled and attending school and receive McKinney-Vento services.
Identifiers/Effects of Student Homelessness
Transient/Unstable Lifestyle May Result In:
Frustration
Depression
Difficulty with transitions
Aggressive behavior
Increased clinging behavior
Anxiety
Restlessness
Short attention span
School behavior problems
Regressive behavior/inattentiveness
Persistent tiredness/sleep disorders
Erratic attendance or tardiness
Inability to contact parents
Numerous absences
Changing schools many times during the school year
Living In Crowded Conditions May Result In:
Lack of privacy
Inability to get enough sleep
Inability to do homework in a quiet area
Anxiety about loss of possessions
Loss of books and other supplies
Concern for safety
Frequently Changing Schools May Result In:
Gaps in skill development
An unwillingness to risk bonding with classmates and teachers
Withdrawal
Lack of continuity
Inadequate Personal Hygiene May Be the Result of:
Lack of access to showers
Lack of laundry products and facilities
Lack of hygiene supplies
Lack of Personal Hygiene, and Clean or Suitable Clothing May Result In:
Children not attending school because their clothes are dirty, old, or otherwise different from clothes worn by other students
Children being bullied
Poor physical and/or mental health
Falling behind in class due to excessive absences
Information for Parents of School-Aged Youth Transcript
If your family lives in any of the following situations:
A homeless shelter
Doubled-up with other people
Car, park, empty building, bus or train station
Motel or campground
Your eligible children have the right to:
Receive a free, appropriate public education
Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school of origin if that is your preference
Receive transportation to and from the school of origin if requested
Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs
If you believe your children may be eligible, contact Belton ISD's McKinney Vento Liaison, Christina Wilson at 254-215-2150 to find out what services and supports may be available. There also may be supports available for your preschool-age children.
If the school district believes that the school you selected is not in the best interest of your children, the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth Support Center Website
1-800-446-3142
InformaciĂłn para Padres de JĂłvenes en Edad Escolar TranscripciĂłn
Si su famlia vive in cualquiera de las siguientes condiciĂłnes:
En un albergue
Compartiendo la vivienda con otras personas debido a una dificultad econĂłmica
En un automĂłvil, edificio abandonado, autobĂşs, o estaciĂłn de trenes
Motel o terreno para campamento
Sus hijos elegibles tienen derecho a:
Recibir una educaciĂłn pĂşblica gratuita y apropriada
Inscribirse en la escuela inmediatamente incluso si no tienen los documentos normalmente necesarios para la inscripciĂłn
Inscribirse a la escuela y atender clases mientras la escuela obtiene los documentos necesarios
Inscribirse en la escuela local o continuar asistiendo a la escuela de origen (la escuela a la cual asistiĂł el estudiante cuando tenĂa una residencia permamente, o la Ăşltima escuela en la cual estaba inscrito), si esto es su preferencia
Recibir transporte desde y hacia la escuela de origen si se solicita
Recibir servicios educacionales comparables a los que estan provistos para otros estudiantes, segĂşn las necesidad de sus hijos
Si cree que sus hijos podrĂan ser elegibles, comunĂquense con el coordinador de BISD Noemi Berumen 254-2096 para enterarse de cuales servicios y apoyos pueden estar disponjibles. TambiĂ©n pueden existir apoyos para sus hijos de edad prescolar.
Si el distrito escolar cree que la escuele que usted eligió no está en el mejor interés de sus hijos, el distrito debe proporcionarle con una explicación por scrito de su decisión e informarle de su derecho de apelar la decisión.
Educacion de Texas para niños sin hogar y Centro de Apoyo Juvenil
1-800-446-3142
Information for School-Aged Youth Transcript
If you live in any of the following situations:
A homeless shelter
Doubled-up with other people
Car, park, empty building, bus or train station
Motel or campground
You have the right to:
Receive a free, appropriate public education
Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school of origin if that is your preference
Receive transportation to and from the school of origin if requested
Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your needs
If you believe you may be eligible, contact BISD's liaison, Christina Wilson at 254-215-2095Â to find out what services and supports may be available.Â
If the school district believes that the school you selected is not in your best interest, the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth Support Center Website
1-800-446-3142
InformaciĂłn para JĂłvenes en Edad Escolar TranscripciĂłn
Si vives in cualquiera de las siguientes condiciĂłnes:
En un albergue
Compartiendo la vivienda con otras personas debido a una dificultad econĂłmica
En un automĂłvil, edificio abandonado, autobĂşs, o estaciĂłn de trenes
Motel o terreno para campamento
Estudiantes elegibles tienen derecho a:
Recibir una educaciĂłn pĂşblica gratuita y apropriada
Inscribirse en la escuela inmediatamente incluso si no tienes los documentos normalmente necesarios para la inscripciĂłn
Inscribirse a la escuela y atender clases mientras la escuela obtiene los documentos necesarios
Inscribirse en la escuela local o continuar asistiendo a la escuela de origen (la escuela a la cual asistiĂł el estudiante cuando tenĂa una residencia permamente, o la Ăşltima escuela en la cual estaba inscrito), si esto es la preferencia del estudiante
Recibir transporte desde y hacia la escuela de origen si se solicita
Recibir servicios educacionales comparables a los que estan provistos para otros estudiantes, segĂşn las necesidad del estudiante
Si cree que puedes ser elegibles, comunĂcate con el coordinador de BISD Noemi Berumen 254-215-2096 para enterarte de cuales servicios y apoyos pueden estar disponjibles.
Si el distrito escolar cree que la escuele que elegiste no está en tu mejor interés, el distrito debe proporcionarle con una explicación por scrito de su decisión e informarle de tu derecho de apelar la decisión.
Educacion de Texas para niños sin hogar y Centro de Apoyo JuvenilÂ
1-800-446-3142
Student Rights and Services
Rights
Immediate enrollment
Removal of barriers to school enrollment
School of Origin
Transportation to and from School of Origin
Immediate eligibility for free child nutrition
Services
School supplies
Graduation cap and gown assistance
Prom and formal wear assistance
Referrals to community agencies for housing, counseling, food, and/or clothing assistance
Emergency food
Resources
Contact Us
Christina Wilson
McKinney-Vento Liaison
254-215-2095
christina.wilson@bisd.net
Noemi Berumen
Foster Care & McKinney-Vento Liaison
254-215-2096
noemi.berumen@bisd.net
Belton ISD Project HEARTBEAT
400 N Wall St , Belton, TX 76513
Amberly Walker
Education Specialist/Coordinator
254-297-1251
awalker@esc12.net
Desiree Viramontes, MEDL
McKinney-Vento State Coordinator
Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs
512-463-8774
Desiree.Viramontes@tea.texas.gov
Social Media
Help us spread awareness for homeless students & families! If you find a BISD Rock make a post in the BISD Rocks Facebook group!
How Can You Help
Many times our students and families need extra help. Sometimes they are running from a domestic situation and need shelter in a hotel while we connect them with community agencies who can assist. Some need gas money in order to transport their students to school while school of origin transportation is established. Your donation assists our students and families experiencing homeless.
Thank you for helping us ensure success in education for youth who are experiencing homelessness.
Donate Online HERE
By Mail or In Person:
Project HEARTBEAT
Belton ISD
400 N Wall, Street
Belton, TX 76513
United Way Donation
Write "Project HEARTBEAT, BISD" in as recipient of your donation