Homeless Liaison

MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT

 

WHY ARE SCHOOL DISTRICTS OBLIGATED TO SERVICE HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH?

 

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary federal legislation addressing the eduction of children and youth experiencing homelessness in the U.S. public schools. It was reauthorized as Title X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act in January 2002. Under the McKinney-Vento Act all Local Eduaction Agencies (LEA) must provide specific services to homeless youth. The full text of the law can be found at http://www.center.serve.org/nche/legis/mv/php. In addition, a comprehensive series of issue briefs on various topics in the law can be found at http://www.serve.org/nche/briefs.php.

 

DETERMINING ELIGIBILTY FOR SERVICES

 

Definition of Homeless:

 

According to the federal law, McKinney-Vento Act, children and youth are consdiered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, adequate night-time residence:

 

• Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to the 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 accomodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are awaiting foster care placement.

• Children and youth 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.

• Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings, and

• Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described above.

 

CHILDREN AND YOUTH RIGHTS AND SERVICES

 

Every child as a right to a free and appropriate public education and required to attend school regularly. Children and youth who fit the federal defintion of homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act have the right to:

 

• Immediate school enrollment and attendance, even without birth records, school records, immunizations, and/or health physicals.

• Remain at their school of origin or enroll in their neighborhood school for the duration of the academic school year.

• Transportation to and from school, if feasible.

• Receive free breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year.

• Help for prompt assistance with dispute resolutions about school placement and participation in special education, bilingual education, gifted and remedial programs.

 

WHO CAN HELP A HOMELESS STUDENT UPON IDENTIFICATION?

 

• There are many resources right at the school, including the School Social Worker.

• The School Social Worker at NPS is also the Homeless Liaison who is there to offer support services for students, families and the school.

 

WHAT OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

 

• Free school supplies and backpacks

• Emergency clothing

• Academic services and resources

• Transportation assistance

• Referrals to community resources such as (medical and mental health, food, housing, clothing, etc.)

• Referrals to Early Childhood childcare resources

 

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HOMELESS LIAISON?

 

Local school districts are responsible for designating a staff person as the Homeless Liaison. The role of the Homeless Liaison is to ensure that homeless children and youth are provided the following support services.

 

• Identified by school personnel and have full equal opportunity to succeed in school.

• Receive educational services for which they are eligible including preschool programs, and referrals to medical, dental and mental health services.

• Mediate dispute resolutions regarding school placement and school transportation services.

• Provide assistance in obtaining immunizations, immunization records and other enrollment documents.

• Assist unaccompanied homeless youth regarding their rights and address barriers impacting school enrollment and placement.

• Address and identify needs of homeless youth and ensuring compliance with McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.

 

Homeless Student Enrollment Procedures