Homeless Information–McKinney Vento Act

Links:

ISBE McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children Information

MKV Non-Regulatory Guidance

NAEHCY Frequently Asked Questions

Regional Liaison: Savannah Holthaus sholthaus@roe3.org

Local Liaison: Traci Hillen thillen@calhoun40.net 618-576-2341 x202

The McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless
The term “homeless children and youths”–

(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1)); and

(B) includes–

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;* 

(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C)); 

(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and 

(iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

*Per Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act, “awaiting foster care placement” was removed from the definition of homeless on December 10, 2016; the only exception to his removal is that “covered states” have until December 10, 2017 to remove “awaiting foster care placement” from their definition of homeless.

Parents' rights and school responsibilities under McKinney-Vento:

  • Immediate enrollment: Children and youth have the right to immediate enrollment in school, even if they are missing required documents like proof of residency or immunization records.

  • School of origin: Schools must allow students to remain in their school of origin (the school they attended before becoming homeless) for the remainder of the school year to ensure academic stability,.

  • Transportation: Schools must provide transportation to the school of origin if a student requests it.

  • School liaison: Each local school district must designate a homeless liaison who is responsible for assisting families with enrollment, transportation, and other issues.

  • Comparable services: Students have the right to be providied with services comparable to those offered to other students.

  • Dispute resolution: If there is a disagreement about eligibility or school placement, the school district must provide the parent with a written explanation of its position and information on their right to appeal.

  • Referrals: The school liaison can refer families to other needed services, such as healthcare, housing assistance, and other support services.