McKinney-Vento (Homeless Assistance)
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act authorizes the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program, which addresses the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. This Act was reauthorized in 2015 to insure the delivery of services to remove barriers to enrollment and assist with the retention of children and youth that are homeless in schools. All schools are required to implement and comply with the provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act.
Provisions of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act require that all schools provide students with immediate access to an education, even if school records, medical/immunization documents, birth certificates or proof of residency are not immediately available. Each school site has social workers available to support families that may have questions or need assistance to assist with children and youth impacted by homelessness so that they can overcome obstacles and barriers.
Homelessness is defined as anyone who is temporarily living in any of the follow situations due to economic hardship, eviction/loss of housing, and families do not have a regular night time residence of their own. Other situations include living in an emergency, transitional, or domestic violence shelter, living in a vehicle, public space, abandoned building or campground or staying in a motel/hotel. Living with a friend or relative may also be considered. Unaccompanied youth without parent/guardian support or do not have a home may also qualify for the program as well.
A student that meets the McKinney-Vento requirements for being homeless has the right to:
- Attend school without any documentation.
- Continue in their “school of origin” before they became homeless or school of residence.
- Enroll into school without meeting residency requirements
- Transportation if the student resided more than 2.5 miles away from school.
- Attend and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless.
Contact: Luan L. Sparks, McKinney-Vento Liaison, (316) 788-8450 or (316) 788-8499, lsparks@usd260.com