Students in Transition Empowerment Program

Who is Eligible for STEP Services?

STEP serves students ages 3 – 20 in all schools throughout the school district. The STEP program works behind the scenes helping students to remain in their current school, maintaining school stability, as often as possible and when it is in the best interest of the child.

Any student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate overnight residence (at anytime during the school year) is eligible to receive STEP services. Students may be found living in the following situations:

• In a shelter, motel, vehicle, camper, or campground
• Temporarily sharing the housing of friends or family (“doubled-up”) due to economic hardship
• Unaccompanied youth living on their own, without a parent or guardian
• Inadequate accommodations (lack of electricity, heat, plumbing, or overcrowding)
• Abandoned buildings, or on the street
• Students who are couch surfing, staying with friends
• Displaced due to natural disaster or fire

School staff involved in identifying students in transition include the on site STEP specialist, bus drivers, food service staff, counselors, school social workers, teachers, secretaries, administrators, parents, students, or by word of mouth. Once identified, students can begin receiving the services they need in order to stay in school and obtain the education they need.

STEP Services Available

TCAPS Students in Transition Empowerment Program services include:

• Support with school choice option
• School supplies and/or backpacks
• School transportation via school bus, BATA or gas card
• School breakfast and lunch at no charge
• Before and after school program assistance
• Academic support and tutoring
• Assistance in obtaining school records, including birth certificates and immunization records
• College admissions support, registration, FAFSA, scholarships, etc.
• Clothing for school purposes
• Personal hygiene products
• Assistance with obtaining a driver’s license (Roadmap to Success Program)
• General funds for extracurricular activities or interests
• Referrals for housing, mental health, counseling, medical, transitional living, resources, job training, work programs, post-secondary education counseling, and training, etc.

Students Share What They Need

• “Thank you for all the help you have given me. My life is finally getting back on track slowly but surely. I will still probably need help with bathroom supplies.”

• “In my current situation, I need help with financial education, as well as help with college applications. Thank you for checking in with me.”

• “I need support. I need someone who won’t give up on me. I need extra help with classes and solid transportation to school.”

• “I just need to make money and get my stuff done. I want to say thank you for letting me know where I can go when I need assistance.”

• “What I need to be successful is what you do best—helping people out with personal situations.”

School Rights You May Not Know You Have

If you live in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter or on the street
• In a motel or campground
• In a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station
• Couch surfing/doubled up with other due to loss of housing, foreclosure, eviction or economic hardship
• Inadequate living accommodations (i.e. overcrowding, lack of plumbing, heating, or electricity)
• Youth living on their own, without parent or legal guardian

You may be eligible for services, including:

• Transportation to school
• School breakfast or lunch at no charge
• Free school supplies
• Academic support and tutoring
• Help getting school records, including birth certificates and immunization records
• Referrals for housing, health care and food
• Referrals for other services

You also have the right to:

• Enroll in and attend school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there
• Continue attending the same school after experiencing loss of housing, or transfer to a new school
• Receive transportation assistance, if possible
• Receive school meal programs
• Receive Title I services

School Rights Posters

• School Rights You May Not Know You Have
• Derechos en la escuela Que tal vez no saba usted que tiene

Contact Information

• Local Contact: 231.933.5901
• State Coordinator: 517.373.6066
• National Center for Homeless Education: 800.308.2145

National Statistics

Michigan Statistics

Michigan's Regional Numbers

There were 66,483 literally homeless persons in Michigan in 2016. Literally homeless is defined as an individual or family whose primary nighttime residence is a public or private place not meant for human habitation; or is living in a shelter; on the streets; or is exiting an institution where she/he has resided for less than 90 days.

2016: Key Facts about Homelessness in Michigan

Michigan homeless service agencies provided care to a total of 57, 028 people based on data from the Michigan Homeless Management Information System. The care included prevention services, sheltering and permanent housing placements.

• 22,211 people secured permanent housing after transitioning from living on the streets or in shelters.
• The majority of the homeless population had health insurance, with Medicaid being the primary source.
  - 85% of the total homeless population were covered by health insurance.
• Families with children made up nearly half of the homeless population.
  - 24,766 people (43%) were families that included at least one child.
• Homelessness disproportionately affected African Americans.
  - 53% of the homeless population were African American yet African Americans are only 14% of Michigan’s total population.
• 70% of the single homeless adults reported having a mental health condition.
• The number of homeless seniors (aged 55+) increased 9% from 7,207 in 2014 to 7,919 in 2016.
  - 73% had a long term disability.
  - 84% were between the ages of 55 to 64.
• Between 2014-2016 there was a 16% decrease in the number of homeless veterans
• According to the Michigan Department of Education, there was a 4% decrease in the number of homeless children/youth enrolled in public school between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 school years.

Our Five County Regional Statistics

As of March 2, 2018, the following regional data was reported for the 2017-2018 school year. (This is not a complete compilation of data at this time.)

Percentage of Homeless in the Region

Nighttime Residence

• 15 Domestic Violence Shelter
• 17 Hotel/Motel
• 26 Transitional Housing
• 28 Homeless Shelter
• 47 Unsheltered
• 681 Doubled up (living with family/friends)

Grade Level of Homeless Youth

Unaccompanied Youth

• Accompanied Students: 656 or 80.625% 
• Unaccompanied Students: 158 or 19.375%

TCAPS School District Statistics

As of March 7, 2018, the following data was reported for TCAPS 2017-2018 school year.  (This is not a complete compilation of data at this time.)

Students Surveyed on Reasons, Barriers and Living Situations

In February 2015, 108 students were surveyed from the TCAPS district to determine what ways the STEP program could better serve students. The following data was collected during this research study:

Top Five Reasons Students Say They Are In Transition

• Unemployment / Income Loss
• Lack of Affordable Housing
• Addiction/Family Member
• Mental Health/Family Member
• Abuse

Top Five Current Living Situations

• With Parents
• With Friend
• With Relative
• Host Home
• In a Shelter

Top Three Barriers to Graduating

• School Work
• Transportation
• Housing

What Students Say They Need Help With

• Job
• Obtaining a Driver's License
• School Work
• College Applications
• Buying a Vehicle
• Planning for Graduation
• Food
• Transportation
• Clothing
• Budgeting
• Housing
• Medical

Students' Goals After High School

• Go to College
• Work
• Marriage
• Unsure

Some possible signs that a student may be experiencing homelessness are:

• Irregular attendance and frequent tardiness
• History of attending many different schools
• Consistent lack of preparation for class
• Sleeping in class
• Hostility and anger or extremes in behavior
• (e.g., shyness, withdrawal, nervousness, depression)
• Needy behavior (seeking attention or withdrawn behavior)
• Poor health/nutrition
• Inadequate seasonal clothing
• Poor hygiene and grooming
• Resistance to parting with personal possessions
• (e.g., leaving a favorite toy/item unattended or putting a coat in a locker)
• Multiple families at the same address
• Difficulty in reaching a parent by phone

In Michigan, adults and children in families account for 52% of the total homeless population. This number may be under reported and not include families who are doubled up or living with friends and relatives due to economic hardship.

Homeless Children & Youth: Causes and Consequences

Through the Cracks

When I first talk about STEP and the mandates of the McKinney-Vento law, people sometimes respond, “You are talking about the kids who fall through the cracks.” I respond yes, that’s our job, to go into the cracks, find the kids, and bring them out.” Almost 10 years into this, this is what it sounds like inside the cracks.

“The park is a good place to sleep.” This is a voice of an 18 year old senior. He didn’t (although he had tried it) want to go to shelter because he didn’t like the noises-and didn’t’ necessarily feel safe there from past experiences. He says, “It is quiet in the park and no one bothers me.”

Between the cracks you hear things like the voice of a parent looking desperately for housing in the area. “I work two part jobs, but I don’t know how to get my kids to their school. We have to move again to my sister’s house.

Sometimes you see students who made it out of this place between the cracks, and then they fall back in. You can hear the student say,” I’ve moved schools so many times and I am not sure if I will be here for very long.”

Some students want to stay between the cracks because the world up above has become too frightening and cannot be trusted. “They are living with another family for now. It’s definitely better there for them than at home.”

This area between the cracks doesn’t work like the world above. Gravity doesn’t work, Things don’t trickle down here. I was taught if you work hard, you will get ahead, have a good job, a house, and good life. This belief also suggests that if you do not have a good home, family and job, then you must not have worked hard enough. These rules don’t work down here in the cracks. Sometimes the park is better than a shelter and a different home is better than their own.

Some things down here are the same as above. Life isn’t fair. There are floods, fires, hurricanes and illness and there is nothing fair about how they move and who they devour. That is all the more reason why kindness matters. It matters between the cracks where people have been abandoned and abused. Kindness still matters even if people are afraid to offer it or afraid to give it. Kindness always matter above and below.

If there is a ladder out of the cracks, it has to be education. We are standing right next to the ladder, holding it still and encouraging kids to climb, even if it feels really shaky. We are holding it still, for all we are worth, down here between the cracks.

Excerpts taken from “Through the Cracks” written by Beth McCullough

Students' Personal Stories

• “Every day I think about where I would be if I didn’t meet Andrea and STEP, and receive all the help that I did. I am incredibly thankful for everything she has done for me. The days and days she spent tutoring me and helping me with everything that I needed were not overlooked. One thing I will say is thank you so much, Andrea, for everything you have done for me. That doesn’t repay her for all of the help I received, but that’s the first thing she deserves; a huge thank you. Because of her and the STEP program, I learned many great lessons about hard work and perseverance, graduated on time and successfully began my first semester of college.” –Recent TCAPS graduate
   
• “I need help to figure out how to manage time between work, school work, and the things I love to do. In addition, I would appreciate help in finding ways to return to my previously fixed home and conflict resolution to heal the pain caused by the transition.” –Heather 18
   
• “Talk to me, give me time, help me learn, slowly. Don’t underestimate me, trust me, be there.” –Tess 16
   
• “It would really help to have a job so I could have money to better support myself and I could get a place to live.” –Haley 18
  ​ 
• “I am not sure you can help me. I am not sure I am worth helping. I am still trying to figure that out.” –No Name 17

Working together to reduce poverty and end homelessness through education.

We would like to pay special attention and give our heartfelt thanks to the following supporters of the STEP program and also to many other working partnerships that we have throughout the greater Grand Traverse Area:

Thank You to Our Community Collaborative Partner Agencies:

• Antrim County Collaborative, 231.258.3320
• Benzie County Human Services Collaborative, 231.882.2123
• Department of Health & Human Services
• Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan & Goodwill Inn
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
• Grand Traverse County Community Collaborative
• Greater Grand Traverse Area Continuum of Care
• Homeless Youth Initiative
• Kalkaska County Collaborative
• Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council
• Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
• Northwest MIWorks! Youth Program
• Northwestern Michigan College
• Pete’s Place
• Rotary Charities of Traverse City
• Third Level Crisis Center | Child & Family Services
• Traverse Bay Intermediate School District (TBAISD)
• Traverse Bay Poverty Reduction Initiative
• Women’s Resource Center
• Youth Health & Wellness Center & GT County Health Department

Thank You to Our 2018-2019 Donors:

Thank You to Our Funding Streams:

• Cherryland Electric Cooperative
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, 2% Grant
• Michigan Department of Education
• Rotary Charities of Traverse City
• U.S. Department of Education, McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program Grant

The Northwest Michigan Students in Transition Empowerment Program (NWM STEP), a consortium of 20 public school districts within the five-county Grand Traverse area, will address the complex needs of students who have been identified as “homeless.” District liaisons improve accountability of eligible students and provide specialized support and advocacy to ensure academic success and a successful transition to adulthood. Contact your local district liaison if you should lose your housing due to foreclosure, eviction, economic hardship, or similar reason or if you know someone who may need assistance. [STEP / McKinney-Vento District Liaisons Contact Information]

STEP Brochures

• STEP Brochure
• STEP Poster
• STEP Postcard

STEP Information & Presentations

• Determining McKinney-Vento Eligibility
• McKinney-Vento Liaison Training Presentation
• STEP Liaisons Contact Information
• Supporting the Education of Unaccompanied Homeless Students
• Transporting Children & Youth Experiencing Homelessness

STEP Forms

• School Selection Checklist
• STEP Referral Form
• Gas Card Mileage Calculation Procedure