The National Migrant Education Hotline (800-234-8848) recently completed its third year of operation. During this period, more than 25,000 calls were registered nationally.
More important than the number, is how well the calls were responded to by those migrant staff handling the calls. Developing resources to refer hotline callers to appropriate services has been, and will continue to be, a priority of the Hotline.
This issue highlights selected resources and services hotline responders have relied on to assist migrant families, and those who work with families. We hope that you avail yourself of these resources when needed, and contact us when you find services we can share with others.
The BOCES
Geneseo Migrant Center administers three scholarship funds for
students with a recent history of migrating in order to obtain
work in agriculture. Priority is given to those who have moved
across state boundaries within the last twelve months.
Small grants usually ranging from $100 to $250 are awarded to students who are enrolled or accepted in a post-secondary college, university, technical, or vocational school. Applications accepted throughout the year.
Frank Kazmierczak Memorial Migrant Scholarship
An annual award to a migrant student wishing to pursue a career in teaching. Deadline Feb. 01, 2000.
Migrant Farmworker Baccalaureate Scholarship
Designed to assist a migrant youth in obtaining a baccalaureate degree without being encumbered with substantial debt. The applicant must have completed at least one year of college. Deadline July 01, 1999.
Funding Your Education - a free information packet on student financial assistance from the U.S. government.
Write: Federal Student Aid Information, P.O. Box 84, Washington D.C. 20044-0084
http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/FYE
The Harvest of Hope Foundation
May have educational financial assistance available via a grant application. Write:
Harvest of Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 1171, Oneonta, New York 13820-5171
HEP
High School Equivalency Program - for migrant students or dropouts, looking to earn their high school equivalency diploma.
CAMP
College Assistance Migrant Program - for freshmen migrant college students needing help. For an updated list of HEP or CAMP programs, contact us at: 1-800-451-8058.
ESL
Help They Don't Speak English
A terrific resource book for teachers of non-English speakers.
http://www.oneonta.edu/~thomasrl/helpkit.html
National Center For Homeless Education at SERVE
The NCHE provides linkages to resources to help local communities across the nation to respond more effectively to the educational needs of homeless children and youth.
Call For Health
A hotline from the National Center For Farmworker Health, that can help you locate clinics and financial assistance for the medical needs of farmworkers and their families.
New Eyes For The Needy
Has a program that can help you get vouchers for free eyeglasses for the indigent.
Write: New Eyes for the Needy
CHIP - Children's Health Insurance Program
children of families whose incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid, but insufficient to afford private insurance.Interested individuals are encouraged to call 877-KIDS-Now (543-7669). Calls will be routed to a CHIP office in the state the call originates from.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/signup/phone.html
Migrant Health Services Directory
This directory has information about migrant clinics and health centers that offer services to migrant families in: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
For a copy, Write:
Migrant Health Promotion
502 West Elm Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162
Ph: 734-243-0711
LEGAL AID
Legal Services Corporation provides funds to selected legal agencies in each state for assistance to migrant farmworkers and their families. Contact us at 1-800-451-8058 for the name and telephone number of migrant legal resources in your state.
The Self Reliance Foundation (SFR) operates a Hispanic Community Resource Hotline which provides support to Hispanics who need referral information regarding local education, health, and human service providers. Their national database contains Hispanic-servicing, community based organizations, many of which offer bilingual services.
In addition to educational financial assistance, the Harvest of Hope Foundation accepts requests for emergency financial aid to migrant families. Help may be available for housing deposits, emergency car repairs, food, gasoline, clothing, medicine, and funeral expenses. For more information contact:
Philip Kellerman at: 888-922-4673.
ESCORT
SUNY Oneonta
Bugbee Hall, Room 304
Oneonta, New York 13820