The mission of the Department of Public Instruction for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is to ensure educational equity and success for students experiencing homelessness by providing support under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless children and youths as those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Examples within the law include children and youth in the following situations:
- Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason;
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- Abandoned in hospitals;
- Living in a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation;
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and/or
- Migratory children living in any of the circumstances described above.
- “Unaccompanied youth”, under the age of 18, living without a parent or guardian.
Children who qualify under the McKinney-Vento Act have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education
- Immediate enrollment and transportation to and from the school of origin
- Attend their school of origin or their school of residence
- Receive free breakfast and lunch programs
- Receive waived school fees
Parents or guardians of students qualifying for McKinney-Vento Services have the right to dispute decisions made by the district regarding eligibility, school selection, or enrollment. Dispute process forms can be found below.
For further information, to make referrals, or for additional questions regarding services for families experiencing homelessness, please contact Marci Thiry, Director of Special Services and Homeless Liaison or your child's School Social Worker.
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