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Homeless Students and Unaccompanied Youth

Wanda Ross - McKinney Vento Coordinator

wanda.ross@midlandisd.net
432-240-1000

Unaccompanied Youth

  • These are youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. This would include youth living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, on the streets, or in other inadequate housing and children and youth denied housing by their families (sometimes referred to as "throwaway" children and youth), and school-age unwed mothers, living in homes for unwed mothers, who have no other housing available.

    In determining whether or not a child or youth is homeless, consider the relative permanence of the living arrangements. Determination of homelessness should be made on a case-by-case basis.

 

TIPS FOR EDUCATORS AND SCHOOL STAFF

McKinney Vento Act

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and education stability for homeless children and young people.  The term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.  Students who are homeless are not required to provide proof of residency before enrolling. 

Benefits for Students

  • Coordinate services between students, families and community agencies
  • Provide transportation for eligible students to school of origin
  • Provide free lunch
  • Provide school supplies
  • Provide tutorials for eligible secondary students
  • Provide credit recovery opportunities for eligible secondary students 

Homeless Liaison

Every school district must designate an appropriate staff person as a liaison for students in homeless situations.   Liaisons must ensure that:

  • Children and young people in homeless situations are identified by school personnel and through coordination activities with other entities and agencies.
  • Students enroll in, and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in  school.
  • Families, children, and young people receive educational services for which they are eligible, including Head Start, Even Start, and pre-school programs, and referrals to health, mental health, dental, and other appropriate services.
  • Parents or guardians are informed of educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.
  • Public notice of the educational rights of students in homeless situations is disseminated where children and youth receive services under the Act.
  • Enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the Enrollment Disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act.
  • Parents and guardians and unaccompanied youth are fully informed of all transportation services, including to the school of origin, and are assisted in accessing transportation services.
  • Liaisons must assist children and young people who do not have immunizations or immunization or medical records to obtain necessary immunizations or immunization or medical records.
  • Liaisons must help unaccompanied young people choose and enroll in a school, after considering the youths' wishes, and provide young people with notice of their right to appeal an enrollment decision that is not their choice.
  •  Liaisons must ensure that unaccompanied young people are immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of disputes that might arise over school enrollment or placement.