If you believe you may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act, contact:

Danielle Graham
dgraham@gesdk12.org
518-775-5791

STUDENTS IN TEMPORARY HOUSING

Students may be able to receive services under the McKinney-Vento Act. McKinney-Vento is the primary piece of federal legislation dealing with the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness in U.S. public schools. Students protected under the McKinney-Vento Act which may entitle them to immediate enrollment in school, transportation, and other services.

Family homelessness takes many forms. The term “homeless children and youth” includes scholars who:

  • Lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence;

  • Continually spend the night at a friend or family members home or live in hotels, motels, trailer parks or camping grounds;

  • Live in an emergency or transitional shelters, are abandoned in hospitals, awaiting foster care placement; or

  • Otherwise does not have a fixed, regular or adequate nighttime residence with proper sleeping accommodations.

Families of scholars who meet the eligibility requirements should contact Student Services to discuss your rights and protections under this federal program, which include:

  • The right to either remain in their school of origin or to attend a school where they are temporarily residing;

  • Assistance in obtaining records from previously attended schools;

  • Full participation in all school-sponsored events and programs; and

  • Immediate enrollment in the school’s free breakfast and lunch program.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is federal legislation that discusses the public education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Under McKinney-Vento and state law, scholars are considered homeless if they lack a nighttime residence that is fixed, regular, and adequate.

To help determine if a scholar is eligible, the school district asks two questions when a scholar enrolls:

1. Is your current address a temporary living arrangement?
2. Is this temporary living arrangement due to loss of housing or economic hardship?