What is the Title I, Part C – Highly Mobile Students Program?
Title I, Part C is an educational program that supports migratory agriculture and fishing workers and their families to minimize the potential impact of family mobility on school success.
The Maine Department of Education contracts with the non-profit organization, Mano en Mano, to conduct all outreach and enrollment activities and supplementary educational and support services for the Maine Title I, Part C program. At Mano en Mano, the local Title I, Part C Regional Coordinators enroll all highly mobile children and youth, conduct all needs assessments, and create a service plan for each student. The staff from Mano en Mano, under DOE supervision, are authorized to request and obtain any educational information and/or data not limited to transcripts, assessment scores, and health-related requests such as immunizations, vision, and dental information.
For more information, please review this document explaining Mano en Mano's role and FERPA rights and access.
Refer a Family / Get Started
What do I do if I know a family who may qualify?
Refer them to us! Complete a referral form for them or have the family complete the Title I, Part C Eligibility Screener.
Referral Form Resources & Forms Services
Who can qualify?
Each highly mobile student must have a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) signed by the Maine Department of Education to receive services. In order to receive a COE, the local Title I, Part C Regional Coordinator meets with the family to determine eligibility. Eligibility factors include, but are not limited to:
- Highly Mobile: The child, parent/guardian or their spouse moved across school district lines within the past 3 years
- Agricultural or Aquaculture Worker: The child, parent/guardian or their spouse worked in the temporary or seasonal agriculture and aquaculture industries.
- Eligible for Free Public Education in Maine: The child is younger than 20 at the start of the school year.
Free Meal Benefits
Homeless, Foster and Highly Mobile students are categorically eligible for free meal benefits. Please review the SY 2023 Eligibility Determination for Free and Reduced-Price Meals Quick Reference Guide for more information.
Title I, Part C – Highly Mobile Students, McKinney Vento and ESOL Programs Collaboration
ESOL Programs staff, McKinney Vento liaisons, and Title I, Part C – Highly Mobile Students Program staff frequently collaborate to support students that qualify for their programs. Oftentimes, Multilingual Learners, highly mobile children, and Students Experiencing Homelessness qualify for one, two, or all three of these programs. Therefore, in order to best identify and serve all children who may qualify for these services, the Maine Department of Education recommends these screener forms to be included as part of enrollment packets for every student, every year:
- Title I, Part C Eligibility Screener
- Maine's Multilingual Learner Identification Policy and Language Use Survey
- Sample McKinney Vento Screener Form
Highly Mobile Students Laws
Federal Migrant Education Legislation. From the federal Office of Migrant Education, this site provides useful information and definitions relevant to the eligibility and implementation of Title I, Part C.
Resources
The Maine Title I, Part C – Highly Mobile Students Program works with several other state agencies and organizations that may be helpful to highly mobile agriculture and aquaculture families:
- Mano en Mano/Hand in Hand. Based in Milbridge, this organization works with farm workers and immigrants to settle and thrive in Maine, and ensures access to essential services and education.
- Maine Department of Labor (DOL). The Maine DOL works with employers and employees to promote economic well-being, workplace safety and strong businesses in the State of Maine. In addition, the DOL offers information and resources specifically for highly mobile agriculture and aquaculture workers and their employers.
- Maine Mobile Health Program. Maine Mobile Health Program works to improve the health status of highly mobile agriculture and aquaculture workers and their families by connecting them with healthcare and services throughout the state.
Contact
Sol Rheem
Highly Mobile Students Consultant
Phone: 207-530-1807
Email: Sol.Rheem@maine.gov
Supports the following areas:
- Title I, Part C: Highly Mobile Students Program.
- Questions about services for children and families who engage in agricultural or aquaculture work in the State of Maine.