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Homeless Education Program

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT:

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is authorized under Title VII-B Of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) (McKinney-Vento Act). The McKinney-Vento Act was originally authorized in 1987 and most recently reauthorized in December 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).1 The McKinney-Vento Act is designed to address the challenges that homeless children and youths have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, education agencies must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including public preschool education, as other children and youths. Homeless children and youths must have access to the educational and related services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held. In addition, homeless students may not be separated from the mainstream school environment. Local Educational Agencies are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as barriers to the identification, enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths.

The law indicates that the LEA liaison shall ensure that all homeless children, youth and families are identified through coordinated activities with other entities.

DEFINITION OF HOMELESS (MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT SEC. 725 (2); 42 U.S.C.

11435 (2)): CHILDREN WHO LACK A FIXED, REGULAR, AND ADEQUATE NIGHT TIME RESIDENCE:

“Doubled up” – Sharing the housing of others due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.

Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations.

Living in emergency or transitional shelters.

Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live.

Migratory children living in the above circumstances.

Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar settings.

Unaccompanied Youth – Children or youth who meets the definition of homeless and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Residency and Educational Rights:

Students who are in temporary, inadequate, and homeless living situation have the following rights:

Immediate enrollment in the school they last attended or the school in whose attendance area they are currently staying even if they do not have all of the documents normally required at the time of enrollment;

Access to free meals and textbooks, Title I and other educational programs and other comparable services including transportation;

Attendance in the same classes and activities that students in other living situations also participate in without fear of being separated or treated differently due to their housing situations.

When a student is identified as being McKinney-Vento eligible, staff will:

Assist with enrollment, monitor school attendance and arrange transportation (PreK-8 students).

Provide school supplies and other school-related materials as needed.

Advocate for and support students and families through school and home visits.

Set clear expectations for student behavior, attendance, and academic performance.

Assist students/families access to community services.

Assist students/families with access to tutoring, special education, and English language learner resources.

Assist students so they can participate in sports, field trips, and school activities regardless of their ability to pay or to provide their own transportation.

For additional information, contact Mr. Jerry Burns @ 570-253-5900.