Homeless Education
Homeless Education
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness have full and equal access to an appropriate public education and experience. A student is considered to be experiencing home
lessness if he or she lacks a fixed, regular and adequate night-time residence, and is:
- Sharing housing with relatives, friends, or strangers due to economic hardship or lack of housing;
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to economic hardship or lack of housing;
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, bus or train stations, or abandoned buildings;
- Migratory children or youth living in circumstances described above; and/or
- Unaccompanied youth, meaning youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, such as runaways and youth denied housing by their families
The McKinney-Vento Act ensures educational rights and protection for youth and children experiencing homelessness.
Parents/Guardians who think they may qualify for services under McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act should contact Charles City Public Schools Homeless Education Liaison and Foster Care Liaison, Stephanie Leek, at 804-301-1871 or sleek@ccps.net.
What are my rights?
o immediate school enrollment and full participation in all school activities, even when required records for enrollment are not available
o right to remain in the school of origin (Current/last school attended, or where they were attending at the time housing was lost)
o transportation to and from the school of origin
o rights and protections for unaccompanied youth (youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) who are experiencing homelessness, including allowing them to be immediately enrolled without proof of guardianship;
o right to dispute an enrollment decision and for a child or youth to be admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending the resolution of the dispute
What services are available?
o Transportation to school of origin to promote school stability
o Assistance with some school fees
o Resource room with household items, clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and food
o Case management for families and unaccompanied youth
o Connections to community resources
