McKinney Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that works to ensure educational stability for homeless youth. The Act allows students experiencing homelessness to enroll in school without delay and to be connected with appropriate services.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” Examples of children who fall under this definition include:

• Children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing;
• Children living in “motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations”
• Children living in “emergency or transitional shelters”
• Children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc.)
• Children living in “cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations…”

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that children experiencing homelessness have the following rights:

• Choice of School: Children eligible for McKinney-Vento services may attend their school of origin (school last attended or school attended when child lost permanent housing) or attend the school that serves their temporary living situation.
• Immediate enrollment: Even if medical or other records, birth certificates, or transcripts cannot be produced at time of enrollment.
• Transportation to and from school
• Priority consideration for enrollment in preschool programs
• Free school lunch & school fee waivers
• Academic tutoring services
• School supplies

If you think your child(ren) might qualify for McKinney-Vento services, please contact your school’s social worker.

Every Local Education Agency (LEA) is required by law to designate a liaison for children and youth experiencing homelessness. The liaison serves as the primary contact between families experiencing homelessness, school staff, and other service providers. The liaisons ensure that homeless children and youth are enrolled in school and have access to resources, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act. Please contact the Homeless Liaison for more information on McKinney-Vento services in D303.

Karen Pratt - Director of Student Services: Elementary
McKinney Vento Liaison
karen.pratt@d303.org
331-228-5044

Atlee Smith - Family & Community Liaison
McKinney Vento Liaison
atlee.smith@d303.org
331-228-2879