Holbrook Unified School District #3

McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless

The term “homeless children and youth” - means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence [42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)].

Legal definition of homeless:

· Fixed: Stationary, permanent, not subject to change.

· Regular: used on a predictable, routine, consistent basis.

· Adequate: Lawfully and reasonably sufficiently. Does it sufficiently meet the physical and psychological needs typically met in a home environment?

What student is considered eligible for McKinney Vento services?

A student may be considered eligible for services as a “Homeless Child or Youth” under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act if he or she is presently living in one of the following situations:

• sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason,

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

• living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals,

• 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,

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

• is a migratory child who qualifies as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described above.

Local Educational Agency Liaison Duties

Homeless children and youth

1. Are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies.

2. Are then enrolled in and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in schools of that LEA.

3. Homeless families and homeless children and youths have access to and receive educational services for which such families, children, and youths are eligible, including services through Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs) under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), early intervention services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), and other preschool programs administered by the local educational agency;

4. Homeless families and homeless children and youths receive referrals to health care services, dental services, and mental health and substance abuse services, housing services, and other appropriate services.

5. Parents and guardians of homeless children and youths are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.

6. Public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youths is disseminated in locations frequented by parents or guardians of such children and youths, and unaccompanied youths, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and soup kitchens, in a manner and form understandable to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths, and unaccompanied youths;

7. Mediate enrollment disputes according to federal guidance.

8. The parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth, and any unaccompanied youth, is fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin.

9. Provide professional development and support for all stakeholders who serve homeless students.

10. Assist unaccompanied youth with enrollment, academic access and success, and notification of “Independent” status and assistance for FAFSA.

McKinney Vento Posting: