2.4 Lead Agency Outreach to Families Experiencing Homelessness, Families with Limited English Proficiency, and Persons with Disabilities

The Lead Agency must conduct outreach and provide services to families with limited English proficiency, families experiencing homelessness, and persons with disabilities. 2.4.1 Families with limited English proficiency and persons with disabilities: outreach and services a. Check the strategies the Lead Agency or partners utilize to conduct outreach and provide services to eligible families with limited English proficiency. Check all that apply. i. [x] Application in languages other than English (application and related documents, brochures, provider notices). ii. [x] Informational materials in languages other than English. iii. [x] Website in languages other than English. iv. [ ] Lead Agency accepts applications at local community-based locations. v. [x] Bilingual caseworkers or translators available. vi. [x] Bilingual outreach workers. vii. [x] Partnerships with community-based organizations. viii. [x] Collaboration with Head Start, Early Head Start, or Migrant and Seasonal Head Start. ix. [ ] Home visiting programs. x. [x] Other. Describe: With the support of the PDG B-5 Grant, Maryland was able to partner with WIDA Early Years to implement an evidence-based program focused specifically on the language development of young multilingual children and support for their families in early care and education (ECE) settings. The WIDA early years project has ended, however the training modules remain accessible for providers. As a result of SB 369 Prekindergarten Mailing Project, MSDE creates and publishes Pre-K flyers in English and Spanish. The flyers are developed for each county and list all available publicly-funded prekindergarten programs in each jurisdiction. The flyers are then distributed by the local departments of social services and departments of health to eligible families visiting those agencies. b. Check the strategies the Lead Agency or partners utilize to conduct outreach and provide services to eligible families with a person(s) with a disability. Check all that apply. i. [ ] Applications and public informational materials available in braille and other communication formats for access by individuals with disabilities. ii. [x] Websites that are accessible (e.g., Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act). iii. [ ] Caseworkers with specialized training/experience in working with individuals with disabilities. iv. [x] Ensuring accessibility of environments and activities for all children. v. [x] Partnerships with State and local programs and associations focused on disability- related topics and issues. vi. [x] Partnerships with parent associations, support groups, and parent-to-parent support groups, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers. vii. [x] Partnerships with State and local IDEA Part B, Section 619 and Part C providers and agencies. viii. [x] Availability and/or access to specialized services (e.g., mental health, behavioral specialists, therapists) to address the needs of all children. ix. [x] Other. Describe: : In partnership with MSDE’s Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services (DEI/SES), we promote and support inclusive settings through program and professional development for preschool special education programs using the National Pyramid Model all paired with ongoing reflective coaching provided by trained coaches. MSDE’s partnership with the Maryland Head Start Association ensures that Head Start and Early Head Start families are provided information and resources on early intervention services, inclusive programs, and at-home support. This partnership also focuses on providing professional development for educators and other program staff. MSDE provides several initiatives designed to support family and child well-being and school readiness. Patty Center ￿ Family Support Services, Judith P. Hoyer Early Learning Hubs, and MSDE Home Visiting programs all are designed to support families and children birth ￿ five. Families are provided with information and support regarding child development and special education services. 2.4.2 Families experiencing homelessness: Outreach and technical assistance efforts a. Check, where applicable, the procedures used to conduct outreach for children experiencing homelessness and their families. i. [ ] Lead Agency accepts applications at local community-based locations. ii. [x] Partnerships with community-based organizations. iii. [x] Partnering with homeless service providers, McKinney-Vento liaisons, and others who work with families experiencing homelessness to provide referrals to child care. iv. [x] Other. Describe: In collaboration with community-based organizations and McKinney-Vento liaisons, MSDE ensures that families experiencing homelessness, are provided information on programs and supports designed to assist their family. Child care regulations allow for the Temporary Admission to Care, which state an operator may temporarily admit or retain a child in care if the child is homeless. b. The Lead Agency must provide training and technical assistance (TA) to providers and appropriate Lead Agency (or designated entity) staff on identifying and serving children and families experiencing homelessness. i. Describe the Lead Agency’s training and TA efforts for providers in identifying and serving children and their families experiencing homelessness. MSDE provides guidance to Lead Agencies and providers as to how to support children and families experiencing homelessness. For example, guidance was provided to inform the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that families experiencing homelessness do not need to provide proof of income for Pre-K enrollment. Pre-K programs must enroll all four-year-old applicants who are experiencing homelessness (COMAR §13A.06.02.03.A). Three-year-old children experiencing homelessness also are automatically eligible for Pre-K (COMAR §13A.06.02.03.C(1)). This categorical eligibility means that families experiencing homelessness do not have to provide evidence of income for Pre-K enrollment. A completed eligibility questionnaire, a note from the McKinney-Vento liaison or designated Pupil Personnel Worker (PPW), or any other record that the family has been determined to be experiencing homelessness replaces proof of income. Notarized letters from the family cannot be required, as such a requirement would create a barrier to the child’s enrollment in Pre-K. Providing training and resources to the Lead Agency's Quality Assurance staff to educate, support, and provide technical assistance to the Child Care Community regarding the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program, including serving children and families experiencing homelessness. Securing a Homelessness Liaison within the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program. This individual's primary role is to be the direct resource for parents and providers who need support while experiencing homelessness, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act. The Homelessness Liaison also educates parents and providers on the priority application process that occurs once the applicant identifies their housing situation as unstable or that they are experiencing homelessness. Offering Open Office Hours via a Zoom call once a month to allow parents and providers to meet with the Lead Agency's staff with questions regarding the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program, including serving children and families experiencing homelessness. Attending conferences each year, such as the Maryland State Child Care Association (MSCCA) Annual Conference, where the target audience is the provider community. The Lead Agency uses conference opportunities to speak with providers throughout the State of Maryland to help on the Child Care Scholarship (CCS) Program, including serving children and families experiencing homelessness. ii. Describe the Lead Agency’s training and TA efforts for Lead Agency (or designated entity) staff in identifying and serving children and their families experiencing homelessness. Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) guides lead agencies on how to support children and families experiencing homelessness. For example, guidance was provided to inform LEAs that families experiencing homelessness do not need to provide proof of income for Pre-K enrollment. Pre-K programs must enroll all four-year-old applicants experiencing homelessness (COMAR §13A.06.02.03.A). Three-year-old children experiencing homelessness also are automatically eligible for Pre-K (COMAR §13A.06.02.03.C(1)). MSDE provides several forms of training and technical assistance to LEAs, both in person and virtual. Some training provided includes Collecting, Reporting, and Using Data; determining Eligibility and Navigating Best Interests Determination; identifying and Supporting Unaccompanied Youth; promoting Racial Equity in McKinney- Vento Services; supporting Immigrant Students Experiencing Homelessness; etc. A McKinney-Vento Outreach Toolkit is being developed, consisting of videos, PSAs, brochures, fliers, and a social media campaign. In addition, MSDE is developing online courses for various LEA and program staff, which will be released on a rolling basis starting by May 2024. Our Child Care Scholarship (CCS) application captures the Mckiney Veto definition of homelessness. Staff authorizing CCS benefits are provided with technical assistance on how to process the application documenting homelessness when submitting their application. Families experiencing homelessness are given 90 days to align with all eligibility requirements. Staff are also trained to provide technical support to shelters and other organizations that support families experiencing homelessness. MSDE approved trainers must include how their training content will support children and families experiencing homelessness when submitting new training proposals. In collaboration with the Maryland Head Start Association and other community- based organizations, the MSDE McKinney-Vento liaison provided seminars to program staff on identifying and serving children and their families experiencing homelessness.