Identification & Recruitment

Identification and recruitment (ID&R) of eligible migrant children is a cornerstone of the MEP, and its importance cannot be overemphasized. Identification is the process of determining the location and presence of migrant children. Recruitment means making contact with migrant families, explaining the MEP, securing the necessary information to make a determination that the child is eligible for the program, and recording the basis of the child’s eligibility on a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).

ID&R in Kansas is administered by local projects, most of which are affiliated with school districts. Theses projects are divided into three regions on the state level: the Eastern Kansas State ID&R Project in Greenbush, the Northwest Kansas State ID&R Project in Oakley, and the Southwest Kansas State ID&R Project in Sublette. Released 12/15/2008

The Kansas Identification and Recruitment (ID&R) plan has been in constant evolution since its inception. Due to changing federal non-regulatory guidance, shifting migrant populations, and ever-changing service needs, identification and recruitment plans must be flexible. Currently the majority of migrant recruiters in the State of Kansas are hired by local school districts or projects where migrant recruitment is only a part of their job. The primary focus of these recruiters is the mission of the district with a priority of meeting K-12 educational needs.

In the revised ID&R Plan, the recruiters described above will be referred to as Tier I recruiters. The state currently employs close to 70 Tier I recruiters. Their scope of service is limited to the school district or the project with little or no ability to recruit outside defined boundaries, school hours, or school calendar. However, the state has a need to recruit in areas outside current projects and to address the needs of migrant children who may not currently be enrolled in school districts or other educational settings.

Hence, the revised ID&R Plan will include Tier II recruiters that will be referred to as regional recruiters. The state will be divided into six regions covering western, central, and eastern parts of the state with dissecting lines separating the north and the south. This system will require nine regional recruiters that have a state-wide perspective with an emphasis on migrant children from birth to five years of age and those that are outside current K-12 educational settings in project areas. In non-project areas, regional recruiters will recruit migrant families with children birth through 22 years of age and/or out of school youth. Regional recruiters may also assist any district if necessary.

The revised ID&R plan requires having two hiring agencies, Southwest Plains Regional Service Center in Sublette serving southwest and northwest Kansas. Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at Greenbush will serve north central, south-central, northeast and southeast Kansas. Though the regional recruiters cover six regions, all regional recruiters will be employed by one of the 2 above listed agencies. It is essential that both of these agencies and all recruiters ensure collaboration, coordination, and a state wide perspective.

Not only will this revised ID&R plan be cost effective, but it will extend recruitment services throughout the summer months and will fill geographic gaps currently not being addressed. The intent is that a referral network will develop between Tier I (LEA) and Tier II (regional) recruiters. For example, Tier I recruiters might refer families with children below the age of five or with older children who are not currently enrolled in educational settings while Tier II regional recruiters could refer families with school age children to local or Tier I recruiters. This referral network will increase the likelihood of addressing family needs with support services outside the realm of the school district.
The revised ID&R plan will continue to advocate a state wide perspective in the supervision and staff development of Tier I and II ID&R personnel.

The plan will have a State ID&R Coordinator located at the Kansas State Department of Education. The State ID&R Coordinator will be responsible for the coordination of all recruitment efforts of the Tier I (LEA) and Tier II (regional) recruiters.

The responsibilities of this position will include:
• Directing the identification and recruitment efforts for the State of Kansas
• Review of time and effort logs of all recruiters
• Coordination of activities of Tier II recruiters
• Identification of training/mentor needs of individual recruiters
• Collaboration with the Staff Development Specialist
• Review of Qualifying Activities
• Evaluation of the quality of recruiter performance, and
• Evaluation of the effective use of staff development

The plan also includes an ID&R Staff Development Coordinator responsible solely for the staff development of the entire state.

The responsibilities of the ID&R Staff Development Coordinator position will include:
• Development and presentation of Fall and Spring ID&R meetings in each of the six regions.
• Providing staff development sessions at the Summer State Migrant Conference.
• Develop and provide training for all new recruiters and seasoned recruiters for the state.
• Implementing individual ID&R Staff Develop Plans (SDP) addressing the specific training needs of the recruiter.
• One day on site visitation with each recruiter to review the SDP and the progress toward meeting its objectives.
This delineation of responsibilities clearly separates the tasks of staff development and recruitment efforts.

This revised ID&R Plan will: a) blend local and state wide perspectives, b) provide year-round recruitment and c) provide ID&R coverage for the entire state with a focus on all aspects of the migrant population and the support services required by the unique demands of migrant lifestyle.

Local Projects

For contact information at local ID&R projects, click the name of a project on the map below for a list of projects in that region.

Resources for MEP Staff

Recruiters can access helpful information and download documents to help them in the ID&R process. Check out our online Resources for MEP Staff.