Florence-Carlton School District 15-6

Posted by Alli Bristow on 11/6/2019

Who is considered homeless?

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, the term “homeless children and youths” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes children and youths: who are sharing the housing of others 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; 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; who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and who are migratory children who live in one of the above circumstances.ix

What protections does the McKinney-Vento Act require for homeless children and youths?

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) must review and revise policies and procedures to remove barriers to high-quality education for homeless children and youths. Every SEA must have an Office of the State Coordinator to oversee the implementation of the Act, and every LEA must designate a local liaison able to carry out their duties to ensure that homeless students are identified and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.

The McKinney-Vento Act also requires that:

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;  if it is in the student’s best interest to change schools, homeless students must be immediately enrolled in a new school, even if they do not have the records normally required for enrollment; transportation must be provided to or from a student’s school of origin, at the request of a parent, guardian, or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the local liaison;  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, and before and after-school care; unaccompanied youths must be accorded specific protections, including immediate enrollment in school without proof of guardianship; and parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youths have the right to dispute an eligibility, school selection, or enrollment decision. 

***taken with Permission from the publication Supporting the Success of Homeless Children and Youths A fact sheet & tips for teachers, principals, school leaders, counselors, and other school staff

 https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/essa/160315ehcyfactsheet072716.pdf

 Educational Rights as a Student Under McKinney-Vento

school choice (the last school attended or

neighborhood you are currently in)

immediate enrollment (even if you do not have

your documents or someone to sign for you)

free breakfast & lunch

free transportation (within 60 miles/60 minutes)

an advocate (who works for you)

fee waivers for the SAT/ACT

FAFSA application without parent/guardian information or signature

initial deposit for school or dorm

housing during school breaks

help with your basic needs: clothing, food, supplies for school

additional educational supports required to

succeed in classes

Apply for free legal aid through Montana Legal Services Association 406-549-1971 or montanalawhelp.org

and other benefits that may help you succeed

How can I access McKinney-Vento services?

 If you feel your child or family meets one or more of the qualifications to receive services provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and your child is currently or will be enrolled in Florence-Carlton School District, please contact:

Alli Bristow, Middle School Counselor at 406-273-0587 ex 3300 or bristowa@florence.k12.mt.us

Recent

By Month

Updated 2022

Federal Definition of Homelessness

Shelters/Transitional Housing

Motels/Hotels

Staying with other people due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason "doubled up" "couch- surfing"

Unsheltered- staying in cars, public spaces, substandard housing

https://schoolhouseconnection.org/mckinney-vento-act/