Homeless Services – McKinney-Vento

 

Did you know?

  • If you are not living with a parent or guardian, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!
  • If you are a runaway, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!
  • If you are 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old, living on your own, and do not have a high school diploma, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!
  • If you are a teen parent and you are not living with your own parents, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!
  • If you are couch surfing, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!
  • If your parents kicked you out, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!
  • If you are living in any situation that is not fixed, regular or adequate, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!
  • If you have two or more families living together in an overcrowded situation, you may have rights under McKinney-Vento!

Identification

Who is protected under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act? 

Students whose overnight accommodations are not fixed, regular or adequate are protected by the McKinney-Vento Act. The following living situations may be considered homeless:

  • sharing housing with relatives or others due to a lack of housing
  • in a shelter or transitional living program
  • in a motel, hotel, park or campground due to lack of adequate housing
  • in a car or RV or in a public place (such as a bus station)
  • in sub-standard housing, such as an abandoned building
  • without a parent or guardian, or a teen (up to age 21) living independently
  • awaiting foster care placement
  • parents are migrant workers
  • in other situations that are not fixed, regular, or adequate for nighttime residence

Each school district’s homeless liaison is responsible for determining if a student qualifies as homeless.

 

Rights

What are the rights of students identified under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act? 

Students who are identified as homeless by the school district’s homeless liaison have the following rights from the point of identification.

  • Immediate school enrollment: Even without proof of residency, guardianship, immunizations, or school records.
  • School choice: Students may choose to stay at the school attended when permanently housed or to enroll in the school where currently living for the remainder of the academic year.
  • Free lunches: Homeless students are automatically eligible to receive free lunch for the duration of the school year.
  • School fee waivers: Students have the right to equal access to education.
  • School supplies: Students have the right to have barriers to education removed. Required school supplies should be provided.
  • Transportation: While students are actively homeless, transportation is provided for students residing outside of their school’s attendance area.

If you lost your housing and now live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, camp ground, or temporary trailer; on the street; doubled-up with family or friends; or in another type of temporary or inadequate housing, your child might be able to receive help through a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act.

 

 

Facts about the McKinney - Vento Homeless Education Act:

Part of the No Child Left Behind federal legislation, this law protects homeless students from discrimination and mandates equal access to educational programs and services. Students who are identified as homeless must have barriers to their education removed.

 

If you are asking “How do I apply?”

Call your school counselor,  who will help you complete the paperwork. 

Contact Information:

 

District Liaison 

Bonner Springs High School.......(913) 422-5121 Lisa Terrell  ext. 4010

 

School Contact Person:

Bonner Springs Elementary........(913) 441-1777   Mendy Brents ext.1303

Edwardsville Elementary............(913) 422-4036 Kristen Moulin  ext.1411

Delaware Ridge Elementary........(913) 441-2126 Jackie Bennett  ext.1514

Clark Middle School...................(913) 422-5115  Chellie Bonebrake  ext.3106

Headstart.................................(913) 441-2828 Jeri Cochran  ext. 1702

 

If you are asking “What if I move again?”

McKinney-Vento is a nation wide program.  All states and schools participate; just contact the school counselor at your new school.

If you or someone you know may qualify for protection under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, please contact your school counselor or call Lisa Terrell, Bonner Springs School District Homeless Liaison, at (913) 422-5121.

 

Homeless Status Is Kept Confidential

 

 

 This Homeless Resources Web Page was created by Trisa Hosford January 2011.