Point of Contact:

Renae Wright, District Social Worker
715-463-2320
renae.wright@gk12.net

McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act

• McKinney Vento is a federal law (a part of the No Child Left Behind legislation) that protects public school students identified as homeless from discrimination and seeks to eliminate barriers to a student’s education.

• It is estimated that students who change school districts are set back 4-6 months academically. This law seeks to provide a stable and consistent education for these students.

Eligibility

• Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

• Families sharing a home with other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

• Families living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations

• Families living in emergency or transitional shelters.

• Families living in a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for people.

• Families living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.

• Migratory children qualify as homeless because the children are living in the circumstances described above.

• A child living as an unaccompanied youth also qualifies for the same services and rights as those of homeless students.

Services Available Under McKinney-Vento

• Immediate School Enrollment: Students can be registered even without proof of residency, guardianship, immunizations, or school records. Students may enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school arranges for the transfer of records.

• School Stability: Students have the right to stay at their school of origin (where they attended when permanently housed) or to enroll in the school where they are currently living—whichever is in their best interest.

• School Fee Waivers: Students have the right to equal access to education and full participation.

• Free School Meals: Students experiencing homelessness are automatically eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch for the school year.

• Transportation: Students can receive transportation to and from their school of origin, as covered by district transportation policies.

• Educational Support: The district may also assist with acquiring school supplies.

• Opportunities to Participate: Students have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students, including supplemental educational services and extracurricular activities.