McKinney-Vento Program

"What homeless children need most of all is a home. While they are experiencing homelessness, however, children desperately need to remain in school. School is one of the few stable, secure places in the lives of homeless children and youth - a place where they can acquire the skills needed to help them escape poverty."

- National Coalition for the Homeless

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Program holds learning for all students as its highest priority through removing barriers to learning for homeless children and youth. Strong district and community collaborations and partnerships are key elements of the program.

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program's major responsibility is to implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Youth experiencing homelessness and unaccompanied youth must have access to public school educational programs and services that allow them to meet the same challenging state academic standards to which all students are held.

The District has resources to help families and students who find themselves in a situation where they may be homeless. Call our McKinney-Vento Office at (920) 448-7326 for resource and referral information.

---

Program Requirements

• Identify and immediately enroll any homeless child or youth (preschool to grade 12), even without academic or medical records.

• Homeless students who move have the right to remain in their schools of origin (i.e., the school the student attended when permanently housed or in which the student was last enrolled, which includes preschools) if that is in the student’s best interest.

• Inform parents/guardians of the educational rights of their children.

• Provide transportation, at the request of the parent, to the school of origin for the duration of homelessness. If a youth becomes stably housed during the school year, transportation supports can continue until the end of the academic school year.

• Homeless students must have access to all programs and services for which they are eligible, including special education services, preschool, school nutrition programs, language assistance for English learners, career and technical education, gifted and talented programs, magnet schools, charter schools, summer learning, online learning.

• Unaccompanied youths must be accorded specific protections, including immediate enrollment in school without proof of guardianship.

• Parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youths have the right to dispute an eligibility, school selection, or enrollment decision.

• Ensure homeless students are not segregated or stigmatized. 

---

Definition Of Homeless Children And Youth

The term 'homeless children and youth' means school-aged individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence due to economic hardship. It includes children and youth who:

• Are temporarily sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

• Are living in motels, hotels, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.

• Are living in emergency and transitional shelters.

• Are abandoned in hospitals.

• Have a nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

• Are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.

• Are runaway children or children who are abandoned.

• Migratory children.

---

Through the McKinney-Vento Program, students may be eligible to receive...

• Transportation services so children can remain in their home school.
• School supplies and waived fees for other class related activities.
• Free breakfast and lunch program.
• Special education services if appropriate.
• Tutoring programs if needed.
• Gifted and Talented Programs if appropriate.
• Summer school programs if needed.
• Pre-school programs if appropriate.
• After-school programs if available.
• Referrals to other community resources as needed.

---

Purpose of the Program

The program promotes academic success by removing barrier for students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night time residence.

Who is Eligible

Children and Youth, due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason, living in:

• Emergency or transitional shelters
• Motels, hotels, campgrounds, abandoned in hospitals
• A car, park, public place, bus station, abandoned buildings, or any other unsheltered situation
• A relative or friend’s home
• Runaway, unaccompanied or abandoned youth
• Migratory children

Every student experiencing homelessness has the right to...

• Be immediately enrolled in school, and fully participate, without birth documents or records from the previous school.
• Remain in the school the child has been attending (origin) and attend daily, despite frequent moves. Transportation to the school of origin is provided during the duration of homelessness or until the end of the year if stably housed.
• Full and equal access to educational, engagement and related opportunities.
• Obtain basic need items, free meals, waiver of school fees and school supplies necessary to learn and be successful in school.

If you feel your rights have been violated you can contact the McKinney Vento Liaison to discuss your concerns and begin the Dispute Process if necessary.

If you are experiencing homelessness...

• Update your child’s school social worker or the school registrar with any new changes in address.
• Inform your child’s school social worker if you would like your child to remain in their home school while you get your family stabilized.
• Keep a copy of your child’s birth certificate, school records, and health and immunization records Let someone know if you need assistance obtaining these documents.

Contact GBAPS McKinney-Vento Homeless Program Liaison with any questions!