Advocacy Results
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As is often the case, the implementation of new laws at the local level and enforcement by the state can be inadequate without a strong, active constituency. As a result, advocates for homeless children, with MAC in a lead role together with Massacahusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, created a new coalition – the Massachusetts Advocates for the Education of Homeless Children and Youths (MAECHY). In addition, through MAC’s successful advocacy, the Legislature created a special steering committee within the Department of Education, composed of the various state agencies serving homeless youth, advocacy organizations, local school district representatives and youth, which would advise the department and oversee the implementation of the law. Through the successful advocacy to date by MAC and other advocates who serve on the steering committee, DOE has issued “advisories” providing guidance to local school districts on their obligations under the law on the following topics: definitions, enrollment of homeless students and school records, school selection and transportation requirements for homeless students, homeless students access to child nutrition programs, Title I and homeless students, serving homeless pre-school students, dispute resolution process (e.g., around which school district pays for transportation), school district notification of enrollment decision, and the appeal of school district notification of enrollment decision.
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