Ozone House Community Education Digest April 2016

Community Education Digest

April 2016

IN THIS ISSUE

The Education Project

Resources for Youth in our Community

Who's Who: Meet Dawn Espy

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Welcome to our Community Education Digest! It's been a while and we have been busy. As a refresher, the aim of Ozone House's Community Education Digest newsletter is to connect our community's resources and services with the youth and families who need them most. Each month, the Community Education Digest highlights an Ozone House program along with related resources in our community. These resources can also be found in the Ozone House Info Cards shown below.

This month we highlight our newest joint venture with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District, The Education Project.

The Education Project

A Program of Ozone House

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The Education Project, sometimes known as the Education Project for Homeless Youth, is designed to ensure that students experiencing homelessness or unstable living situations enroll, regularly attend, and succeed in school. Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students who are homeless must have equal access to free and appropriate public education.

The Education Project works closely with Liaisons in the school districts, Allies within each school, community partners, and families to identify and serve all youth affected by homelessness.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Education Project

Who is Homeless?

Homelessness does not always look like a family living in a car or on the street; it exists in many different versions. The primary criteria we consider are: Is their housing Fixed? Is it Regular? And is it Adequate?

Fixed: Is it permanent or not subject to change? For example, is the person staying somewhere that they do not have a right to live? Are they not on the lease? Could they be asked to leave?

Regular: Are they staying the same place every night? Do they have to switch locations frequently?

Adequate: Is the residence sufficient? Do youth staying in the home have a bed to sleep in? Are there health risks and unsanitary conditions in the home? Does it meet the physical and psychological needs of a child?

Although we all hope that homelessness is very temporary, it can be a perpetual experience for many families and unaccompanied youth. It is important to ask these questions and understand each family and youth's situation.

How can I access the Education Project?

The education project is housed in the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. The website is http://www.washtenawisd.org/services/k-12-student-services. Here you can find information about who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services, what services are offered and additional links and supports around youth homelessness and education.

How can I help?

The Education Project relies on a combination of grant support from the state and donations from members of the community. Many of the items provided to families, like toiletries and school supplies, are supplied through donations. This allows the Education Project the ability to fund other school related expenses like field trips, sports/activities, tutoring services and temporary transportation for students. Additionally, the program is always looking for volunteers to help pack up supplies for youth as well as deliver supports to schools within the districts. By having a team of volunteers ready to disperse supplies, EPHY will serve families more effectively. Contact us if you know someone who can help!

The Education Project office is staffed regularly Monday - Thursday from 9am - 3:30pm.

Any questions regarding a young person's McKinney-Vento status and the supports available can be direct to ephycontact@washtenawisd.org, or by phone at (734) 994-8100 x1518.

More Educational Resources for Youth in our Community

Student Advocacy Center

The Student Advocacy Center of Michigan works to assist our most vulnerable students stay in school, realize their rights to a quality public education and experience success.

SAC provides:

Education advocacy (school discipline, special education, school enrollment, McKinneyVento, civil rights, etc.)
Education support (technical assistance, outreach, case management, tutoring, credit recovery, homebound education, transportation)
Dropout prevention (Check and Connect model)
Family support and engagement
Policy advocacy

Student Advocacy Center

826Michigan

826michigan inspires school-aged students to write confidently and skillfully with the help of adult volunteers in their communities.

Among other programs, 826Michigan provides drop-in tutoring in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

826 Michigan

Meet Dawn Espy

Education Program Manager

Dawn has been with Ozone House for a little over 6 months but has recently stepped into a new and exciting role. She is the project manager of our new endeavor, The Education Project, and also taking the reins of our Community Education Program.

Prior to joining us, Dawn worked as a psychology researcher examining the lived experience of individuals with marginalized identities. After ten years of school and research, she decided to leave the academic world and work within the community.

Along with her work in our education programs, Dawn continues to participate regularly as a facilitator with PrideZone, Ozone House's weekly social and support group for LGBTQ youth. Dawn loves being able to serve youth in so many different facets through Ozone House.

When she is not at one of the Ozone House locations, you can find Dawn relaxing on her couch with her puppy Dill, or on the track, skating with her roller derby team. You can reach Dawn in the Education Project office or at despy@ozonehouse.org.