The McKinney-Vento Act, part of the No Child Left Behind
Act of 2001, guarantees homeless children and youth an education
equal to what they would receive if not homeless.
Who is Homeless?
According to the McKinney-Vento Act, homeless children and youth
include individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate
nighttime residence. This includes the following situations:
Sharing the housing of others (known as doubling-up) due to loss
of housing or economic hardship
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds
Living in emergency or transitional shelters
Abandoned in hospitals
Living in a nighttime residence that is a public or private
place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping
accommodation
Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing,
bus or train stations, or similar settings
The McKinney-Vento Act also recognizes unaccompanied youth who
are homeless. According to the act, an unaccompanied youth is a
youth not in the physical custody of a parent or legal
guardian.
Which School Can a Homeless Child Attend?
There are two choices for a student in a homeless situation -
the school of origin and the school of residency. The school of
origin is the school the child attended when permanently housed or
the school in which the child was last enrolled. The school of
residency is the school serving the area where the child or youth
is currently physically dwelling. When determining the school of
best interest, a homeless child or youth should remain in the
school of origin (to the extent feasible) unless doing so is
contrary to the wishes of the parent or guardian or to the wishes
of the unaccompanied youth.
Enrollment
The McKinney-Vento Act requires the immediate enrollment of
homeless children and youth. These children must be allowed to
attend school even if they are unable to produce previous academic
records, immunization and medical records, proofs of residency,
birth certificates or other documentation that is usually
required.
Transportation
School districts must provide transportation for homeless
children and youth to the school of best interest. Districts must
also provide transportation during the resolution of any pending
disputes. While disputes over enrollment, school placement or
transportation arrangements are being resolved, students must be
transported to the school of choice of the parent or the
unaccompanied youth.
The Homeless Coordinator
A school district's homeless coordinator plays a vital role in
ensuring that children and youth experiencing homelessness enroll
and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act requires that every
school district appoint a homeless coordinator who serves as the
link between homeless families and school staff, district
personnel, shelter workers and social-service providers.
Calhoun R-VIII Homeless Liaison
Amber Russell
(660) 694-3422
arussell@calhoun.k12.mo.us
Calhoun R-VIII Foster Care Point of Contact
Amber Russell
(660) 694-3422
arussell@calhoun.k12.mo.us
More information may be obtained from the Missouri Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education website.
https://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/federal-programs/homeless-children-youth