McKinney-Vento Act
WHO DOES IT COVER?
The McKinney-Vento Act covers children and youth who do not have a fixed, adequate, and regular nighttime residence, such as those living:
in an emergency or transitional shelter; with friends or relatives due to loss of housing or economic hardship (also known as doubled-up);
in a motel, hotel, or campground;
in a car, bus or train station, or another public place;
in an abandoned building or some other inadequate accommodations; or
in temporary situations while awaiting foster care placement.
WHAT ARE YOUR STUDENT’S RIGHTS?
Students in temporary housing have the right to:
immediately enroll in school and attend classes;
get free transportation to the school of origin even if it is in another district;
get free transportation to the local school if transportation is provided to other students;
get special education services immediately if the student has a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP) even if the IEP itself is not available or if it is from another district;
participate in any school activity that is available to other students and get transportation to and from all before or after-school activities if it is provided to other students; and
get free school meals without filling out an application.
DID YOU KNOW…?
If you share housing with relatives, friends, or others because you lost your housing or have nowhere else to live, you may be covered under the McKinney-Vento Act. Students covered under the Act have the right to stay in the same school and get transportation to school, or immediately enroll in the local school. Speak to the liaison in your school district for more information.
Every school district must appoint a homeless education
liaison to help homeless children and youth.
Contact information:
Deborah Johnson
Coordinator of Pupil Personnel Services
585-599-4525 ext 1940
To learn more about the McKinney-Vento Act, please use the links below: