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. [ ] Application in languages other than English (application and related documents, brochures, provider notices). ii. [ ] Informational materials in languages other than English. iii. [ ] Website in languages other than English. iv. [ ] Lead Agency accepts applications at local community-based locations. v. [ ] Bilingual caseworkers or translators available. vi. [ ] Bilingual outreach workers. vii. [x] Partnerships with community-based organizations. viii. [ ] Collaboration with Head Start, Early Head Start, or Migrant and Seasonal Head Start. ix. [ ] Home visiting programs. x. [x] Other. Describe: The lead agency uses a Language Line to assist clients who speak other languages. 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. [ ] 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. [ ] 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: The Lead Agency partners with Birth to Three, Behavioral Health agencies, the West Virginia Department of Education, and Family Support Centers to assist families with disabilities in accessing 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. [x] 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. [ ] Other. Describe: 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. The Division of Early Care and Education has developed partnerships with Child Abuse Prevention programs, such as in-home family education, family resource centers and starting points to develop a system of support for child care providers. Providers have the opportunity to receive technical assistance and training through the collaboration with these programs. In addition, child care resource and referral agencies are charged with providing training and technical assistance to the provider community on identifying and serving homeless children and their families. Behavioral consultants provide information, training and technical support in supporting the social-emotional health of children 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. The Division of Early Care and Education has developed partnerships with Child Abuse Prevention programs, such as in-home family education, family support centers and starting points to develop a system of support for child care case managers. Case managers can receive technical assistance and training through the collaboration with these programs. The child care resource and referral (CCR&R) agencies have also implemented a variety of methods to be proactive to identify and serve homeless families including participating in community events. Additionally, connections have been established with local shelters, libraries, food/clothing pantry, schools, food banks, and housing authorities to assist families in securing needed resources.