STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Every student experiencing homelessness or living in temporary housing situations as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act shall have access to the same free and appropriate educational opportunities as students who are not homeless or experiencing temporary housing situations. This commitment to the educational rights of homeless children, youth, and unaccompanied youth, is applied to all services, programs, and activities provided or made available in Rochelle Township High School #212
Contact Us:
The McKinney-Vento liaison for Rochelle Township High School is Colfay Pointer. As the McKinney-Vento Liaison, they are responsible for ensuring that our school is supporting the scholars and families protected by the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Act.
For more information and/or guidance, they can be reached at cpointer@rthsd212.org
Who is Homeless?
How does MCKINNEY-VENTO help these students?
Common Forms
The term “homeless children and youth” as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act;
Means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and includes—
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Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters or are abandoned in hospitals
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Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
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Children and youths who are living in a cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus/train stations, or similar settings,
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Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described above
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The term unaccompanied youth includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. [42 U.S.C. §-11434a(6)]
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act ensures the educational rights and protections of homeless children and youth so that they may enroll in school, attend regularly, and be successful. The legislation requires a local homeless education liaison in every school district to assist children and unaccompanied youth in their efforts to attend school. This act guarantees homeless children and youth the following:
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Immediate Enrollment: In school even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment. If during the registration process, a family experiences difficulty obtaining/providing educational or medical records, The district homeless liaison may assist.
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Choice of School: Changing schools frequently can negatively impact your student’s education, causing them to fall behind. Students that qualify for educational assistance through the McKinney-Vento Act can stay at the school they have been attending or transfer to the district in which they are temporarily staying. Once you and your family become permanently housed, your student may finish the school year at their current school or transfer to the new district. Your school’s liaison can assist you in whichever decision you make for your students.
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Transportation: Homeless children and youth have the right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin. If the ride to school is estimated to be more than one hour, the district or liaison can request a meeting with you to determine how this may affect your student’s education.
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Preschool: Children under the age of five (5) may qualify for educational services. Speak with your liaison for available early childhood programs in your area.
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Free Lunch and School Fees: Because of your unstable housing situation, your student is eligible to receive a free lunch each day and if the district provides a breakfast program, that will also be provided at no cost. In addition, your student should not be charged to attend school. This includes books, locks, gym uniforms, class fees, sports programs, and graduation fees.
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Removal of Barriers: Homeless children and youth have the right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational service and the right to an “equal playing field”. Segregation based on a student's status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
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District Review Process: After 18 months of enrollment, and annually thereafter, the District has the right to conduct a review to determine whether the hardship continues and whether a student continues to be eligible for homeless services under State and federal law, including enrollment in the District. The district liaison will be in contact with any families that will be included in this review process that will occur annually.
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Settling Disputes: With your McKinney-Vento eligibility, you must be provided with a written explanation of the district’s intent to dispute. Your school district must also provide you with a list of low-cost or free legal services to assist you during the dispute/appeal process. Once you have received notice that your district has filed for dispute, please contact your regional liaison. In the event of a dispute, your Regional Office of Education or Intermediate Service Center will appoint a mediator. The mediator will set a meeting time that is convenient for you and the school district in an attempt to resolve the dispute. If you do not agree with the decision of the mediator, you can appeal to the Illinois State Board of Education.
The Illinois State Board of Education has developed an enrollment sheet called the “Common Form” that is designed to aide school districts as they enroll homeless students. It captures information that may be beneficial in providing services to homeless students and that will need to be reported to the state on a quarterly basis.