Calendar of Events
Presented below is an event calendar outlining the activities organized by the Alabama Rural Coalition for the Homeless and the Alabama Balance of State Continuum of Care. Should you wish to enroll in a particular training session, the registration links are conveniently provided within each event description. For specific training preferences, visit the Trainings and Technical Assistance Opportunities page for detailed guidance. Please note that the calendar is subject to adjustments based on community requirements, alterations in funder directives, and other pertinent considerations.
Alabama Balance of State Continuum of Care - AL507
Ensuring Educational Stability for Homeless Children and Youth
At the Alabama Balance of State Continuum of Care (AL BoS CoC), we are committed to promoting educational stability and access for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. We understand the importance of education in breaking the cycle of homelessness, and we have established comprehensive policies and procedures in compliance with Regulation VII (24 CFR § 578.23) to support homeless children and youth.
Our Policies and Procedures:
-
Consideration of Educational Needs: When placing families with children or unaccompanied youth in housing, we prioritize their educational needs. Our goal is to place families with children as close as possible to their school of origin to minimize disruptions in their education.
-
Information and Support: We ensure that families with children and unaccompanied youth are well-informed about their educational rights. This includes providing written materials, assistance with enrollment, and linking them to McKinney-Vento Liaisons who can provide further support.
-
Respect for School Placement Decisions: We respect the autonomy of parents and unaccompanied youth when it comes to school placement decisions. We do not require them to transfer to a new school as a condition of receiving assistance.
-
Protection of Regular School Activities: We have policies in place to ensure that children and unaccompanied youth are not compelled to attend programs or services that would interfere with their regular school activities.
-
Notices of Student Rights: Notices of students' rights are posted at each program site serving homeless children and families. These notices are available in appropriate languages to ensure accessibility.
-
Designation of Responsible Staff: We have designated staff members who are responsible for ensuring that homeless children and youth in our programs are enrolled in school and receive all the educational services they are entitled to. These staff members also collaborate with relevant entities, including the Department of Social Services, County Office of Education, McKinney-Vento Coordinator, McKinney-Vento Educational Liaisons, and mainstream providers as needed.
-
Annual Training and Compliance: To ensure compliance and support providers in meeting these requirements, the Alabama Balance of State CoC conducts annual training on these issues. We also incorporate these policies and procedures into the funding competition review and ranking process to maintain accountability and adherence to educational stability standards.
The Alabama Balance of State CoC is committed to ensuring that homeless children and youth have the support they need to succeed in their education and break the cycle of homelessness.
We believe that education is a powerful tool for empowerment and stability, and we are dedicated to making it accessible to all, regardless of housing circumstances.
Adopted: January 2017
Revised: July 27, 2023
Pending CoC Approval (Date forthcoming)
