McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The federal law includes the Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program that entitles students who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence to a free, appropriate education and requires schools to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance and success in school. The MCSS is committed to assisting any student facing such challenges to receive the necessary resources and services to ensure full participation and academic success.

The McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless

Examples of living situations that may qualify:

 

• With a friend, relative or other person/family due to loss of housing
• In a motel or hotel due to loss of housing or fleeing domestic violence
• In an emergency shelter, transitional housing or domestic violence shelter
• In a car, park or public place; abandoned building or bus station
• Living temporarily in substandard housing
• In a campground or an inadequate trailer home
• Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter; youth living on their own or in the care of someone other than a custodial parent

Eligible students have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education
• Receive transportation to/from the school of origin, if requested
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required  for enrollment
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school of attendance when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference. *If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision. (Please refer to the MCSS LEA McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution pdf linked below)

Services include, but are not limited to:

 

• Assistance with school enrollment
• Transportation to/from school
• Free breakfast and lunch
• Backpack and school supplies
• Clothing and personal hygiene items
• Academic support, tutoring and counseling
• Assistance with school fees
• Assistance with college enrollment & FAFSA
• Referral to community programs and services
• Support to fill out assistance applications

To obtain more information about available services and how to access services, please contact MCSS Homeless Liaison, Linda Arredondo at (256) 932-2575