McKinney-Vento Homeless Act

Identification Program“Families in Transition”

Gilbert Public Schools

Become familiar with important concepts of the McKinney-Vento Act.

Immediate Enrollment EligibilitySchool SelectionTransportationUnaccompanied Youth

Immediate enrollment of Homeless students, regardless of missing documentation.

Even without - Birth certificates - School records -Immunizations - Lack of continuity in Education

Children and youth have the right to enroll in school immediately, even if they do not have required documents, such as school records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documents.

The school’s primary responsibility and goal is to enroll and educate, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act

Policy and Procedures

Who Qualifies for Services? Determining Eligibility

Use fixed, regular, and adequate as your guiding principles: if the living arrangement does not meet all three criteria, it likely will be considered a homeless situation. Fixed – one that is stationary, permanent, and not subject

to change

Regular – one that is used on a predictable, routine, or consistent basis (e.g., nightly); consider the relative permanence

Adequate – one that is sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments.

Consider: Can the student go to the SAME PLACE (fixed) EVERYNIGHT (regular) to sleep in a SAFE AND SUFFICIENT SPACE (adequate)?

Primary Nighttime Residence Definitions:

Sheltered: Students living in temporary shelters, such as homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, or transitional housing programs, or temporary foster care placements.

Doubled Up: Students temporarily sharing the housing of other persons (friend or relatives) due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

Unsheltered: Student living in abandoned buildings, campgrounds, and vehicles, inadequate trailer parks, bus and train stations, substandard housing or abandoned in the hospital. (Including Migratory children)

Hotel/Motel: Students temporarily living in a hotel or motel due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.

Unaccompanied youth living in the above circumstances.(The McKinney-Vento Act defines unaccompanied youth as a youth “not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian”)

Students experiencing homelessness have the right to attend one of two schools:

Local Attendance Area School (School of Residence)Any public school that students living in the same attendance

area are eligible to attend

School of OriginThe school attended when permanently housed; orThe school in which the student was last enrolled

For school selection a “best interest” determination must occur; ideally, the parents/guardians and the Liaison.

Students can continue attending their school of origin the entire time they are homeless, and until the end of any school year in which they move into permanent housing.

Best Identification Strategies Enrollment Procedures

Questionnaire

Free/Reduce lunch application

Interviews / Intake

I/C is flagged (Homeless)

Building awareness with all staff Bus Drivers

Teachers

Nutrition Services Staff

Nurses

Social Worker/Counselors

Coordination with agencies Department of Child Safety

Police

Shelters

“Could someone help me with these? I’m late for math class.”

Homeless Student CharacteristicsLearn to identify the following tell-tale signs:

Parent/Guardian conversations

Parent who seems confused about last school child attended

Anger or embarrassment when asked current address

Motel address on enrollment form

Statements family when enrolling, such as:

“We’ve been having a hard time lately:”

“It’s a new address I can’t remember it.”

“We move a lot and are staying with friends until we find a place.”

Signs

Chronic hunger or tiredness

Erratic attendance at schools or attendance at multiple schools

Poor grooming or clothing that draws attention

Unmet medical or dental needs

School fees made in coins or avoidance of field trips

Shy, withdrawn and higher levels of anxiety

Transportation The child’s best interest is at the forefront.

There is no specific time or distance limit placed on transporting a homeless child to the school of origin; consider the unique situation of the student and how the transportation will affect the student’s education.

Districts must provide students in homeless situations with transportation services comparable to those provided to other students.

Districts can consider other safe transportation options beyond the school bus; activity bus, taxi, van, public transportation or reimburse parent mileage.

Please look for important posters at your school and in your community.

Be willing to be flexible with students and provide extra supports

SERVICES

http://www.azfoodbanks.org/

School Social WorkerGilbert Education Foundation

McKinney – Vento Support ServicesGPS Homeless Education Liaison

Helen Dippre480-276-2799

Helen.Dippre@gilbertschools.net

Frank MigaliState Coordinator for Homeless and

Refugee Education1535 W. Jefferson, Bin #14

Phoenix, AZ 85007(602) 542-4963

frank.migali@azed.govWeb Page:

http://www.ade.az.gov/schooleffectiveness/specialpops/homeless/