McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act ensures the educational rights and protections of homeless children and youth so that they may enroll in school, attend regularly, and be successful. The legislation requires a local homeless education liaison in every school district to assist children and unaccompanied youth in their efforts to attend school.

This Act guarantees homeless children and youth the following:
• The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment, including medical forms
• The right to attend school in his/her school of origin or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing
• The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin
• The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services
• The right to an "equal playing field" and the removal of all barriers to receiving educational services
• The right to receive assistance from the district liaison with free meals, fee waivers, school supplies, school uniforms, community resources, and obtaining immunizations and medical records
• The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness. Segregation based on a student's status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
• The right to assistance with in-school or after-school programs.
• The posting of homeless students' rights in all schools and other places around the community.

Who qualifies for this help?
The law states any student that does not have a fixed, regular, and adequate place to sleep at night qualifies for educational assistance. This includes students and families that stay at a shelter, on the street, in public places, in a car, in bus or train stations, in an abandoned building or other substandard housing; or children displaced by a natural disaster (case-by-case basis). Families that have lost their housing and need to double up with friends or relatives because they cannot afford their own place also qualify. Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of McKinney Vento are living in circumstances as noted above.

School Choice
Students that qualify for educational assistance through the McKinney-Vento Act can stay at the school they have been attending or transfer to the district in which they are temporarily staying. The caregiver of the student will make the choice. This does not mean you can go to any school. It has to be one of the schools noted above. Once you and your family become permanently housed, your student may finish the school year at his/her current school or transfer to the new district. Your school's liaison can assist you in whichever decision you make for your student.

Immediate Enrollment
School districts are required to enroll McKinney-Vento eligible students without delay even if you do not have your student's school or medical records. If you need assistance getting educational or medical records, ask to speak with the district's liaison. They will assist you.

Transportation
If you, as the caregiver, choose for your student to remain at the home school, the school district will work with you on transportation options. If the ride to school is estimated to be more than one hour, the district or liaison can request a meeting with you to determine how this may affect your student's education.

Free Lunch & School Fees
Due to your unstable housing situation, your student is eligible to receive a free lunch each day. In addition, your student should not be charged to attend school. This includes books, locks, gym uniforms, class fees, sports programs, and graduation fees.

Early Childhood
Children under the age of five (5) may qualify for educational services. Speak with your liaison for available programs in your area.

Settling Disputes
With your McKinney-Vento eligibility, you must be provided with a written explanation of the district’s intent to dispute. Your school district must also provide you with a list of low-cost or free legal services to assist you during the dispute/appeal process. Once you have received notice that your district has filed for a dispute, please contact your regional liaison. In the event of a dispute, your Regional Office of Education or Intermediate Service Center will appoint a mediator. The mediator will set a meeting time that is convenient for you and the school district in an attempt to resolve the dispute. If you do not agree with the decision of the mediator, you can appeal to the Illinois State Board of Education.

Sunset Ridge District 29 McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison:
Dr. Edward Stange, Superintendent
847-881-9400
[email protected]

105 ILCS 45/Education for Homeless Children Act

McKinney-Vento One-Page Fact Sheet