The American Bar Association Commission on Homelessness and Poverty is
pleased to announce the release of two new manuals related to runaway
and homeless children and youth.

 

Runaway and Homeless Youth and the Law: Model State Statutes is a unique
publication that provides guidance for policymakers, advocates,
attorneys and service providers on how state laws can assist homeless
and runaway youth. The laws were developed by experts in the field with
input provided during two national conferences. The comprehensive
resource provides not only model statutes, but background information
and research to provide context for each issue. Additionally, the
authors have provided commentary to assist in the implementation of the
law. Runaway and Homeless Youth and the Law: Model State Statutes is a
necessity for any person or agency interested in improving state laws so
that these vulnerable youth can find safety, services and stability.

 

The book addresses the following legal issues faced by runaway and
homeless youth and their service providers:

- Education

- Status Offenses

- Family Law Issues

- Health (access to health care)

- LGBTQ youth

- Immigration

- Access to custodial systems

- Discharge from custodial systems

- Housing

- Identification (birth certificates, SS cards)

- Public Benefits

- Access to legal services

- Employment

- Legal issues for runaway and homeless youth service providers

 

Educating Children Without Housing: A Primer on Legal Requirements and
Implementation Strategies for Educators, Advocates and Policymakers, 3rd
Edition, provides innovative strategies for educators and school
administrators, state coordinators and policymakers, and advocates and
attorneys to play a role in ensuring the education rights of children
and youth experiencing homelessness. The revised edition includes new
sections on creating access to early childhood education opportunities,
the Head Start Act, IDEA, the Fostering Connections to Success and
Increasing Adoptions Act, financial aid and college access and support
programs. This third edition contains strategies designed to assist
communities to exceed compliance

and move toward greater commitment -- to embody not only the letter but
also the spirit of the law -- including a new section on collaborating
with community agencies. The book also includes a directory of
resources for educators, advocates, and policymakers.

 

Drafted by Barbara Duffield and Patricia Julianelle of the National
Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, and
Laurene Heybach of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, the book is
the most comprehensive resource on the education of homeless children
and youth available. Several State Departments of Education have praised
the book for its brief, yet comprehensive, easy-to-understand format,
commenting on its similarity to a "how-to handbook." Many states have
purchased the publication in bulk and distributed them to liaisons, as
well as to each school district and school administrator.

 

Both publications are available for $14.95 each through the ABA Web
Store at http://www.abanet.org/abastore/index.cfm or by calling the ABA
Service Center at 1-800-285-2221. Discounts for bulk orders are
available (e.g., purchase 5-49 books and save 10%; 50-99 and save 20%;
100-399 and save 30%; 400+ save 40%).

 

The links below will take you to the ABA site which has additional information.

http://www.abanet.org/abastore/index.cfm?section=Main&fm=Product.AddToCart&pid=4180014

http://www.abanet.org/abastore/index.cfm?section=main&fm=Product.AddToCart&pid=4180015

 

 

 

 

For more info, contact:

Amy E. Horton-Newell

Director, Commission on Homelessness & Poverty

American Bar Association

740 15th Street, NW

Washington, DC 20005

 

T: 202.662.1693

F: 202.638.3844

hortona@staff.abanet.org <mailto:hortona@staff.abanet.org>

www.abanet.org <http://www.abanet.org>