Homeless Assistance (McKinney-Vento)

Homeless Assistance (McKinney-Vento)

Children experiencing homelessness face great challenges. High mobility, precarious living conditions, and poverty combine to present significant educational, health and emotional difficulties. Homeless children are truly among our nation's neediest and most at risk. The Illinois State Board of Education considers the school enrollment, attendance and success of homeless children and youth throughout Illinois as a high priority. The Regional Office of Education administers a sub-grant in order to provide school districts within La Salle County with funds to meet the educational needs of homeless students.

McKinney-Vento Children

Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime abode are eligible for McKinney-Vento services. In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the street, cars, abandoned buildings, and other inadequate accommodations may be considered eligible for McKinney- Vento services.

This includes, but is not limited to, the following groups:

Doubled-up Children: Living with another family due to lack of a permanent residence

Children in shelters: Including transitional living programs

Children living in motels: Due to lack of alternative adequate living situation

Migratory children: If accommodations are not fit for habitation

Runaways*: Children who are left home and live in a shelter or inadequate accommodations, even if parents arewilling to provide a home

Lockouts*: Children whose parents or guardians will not permit them to live at home

*These two categories are unaccompanied homeless youth. These children are not in the physical custody of their parents or court-ordered guardians and lack a fixed, regular, and adequate abode.

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, which is part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ensures that eligible children have the following rights:

Choice of school: Children eligible for McKinney-Vento services may attend their school of origin (school last attended or school attended when child lost permanent housing) or attend the school that serves their temporary living situation (choice of caregiver)

Immediate enrollment: Even if medical or other records, birth certificates, or transcripts cannot be produced at time of enrollment.

Transportation: Transportation must be provided, if requested

Preschool: Priority consideration to preschool programs for eligible youngsters

Free lunch & fee waivers: Categorically eligible for free lunch

Supplemental tutoring: If needed 

In determining whether or not a child or youth is homeless, consider the relative permanence of the living arrangements. Determinations of homelessness should be made on a case-by-case basis. The dispute resolution process should be used by the district, parents, and students if and when disagreements arise in relation to a student’s homeless status. 

If you think you might qualify for McKinney-Vento services, please contact your school's McKinney-Vento liaison.

Rutland Grade School - (815) 433-2949

Julie Kirkpatrick, School Social Worker - jkirkpatrick@rutlandgs.org

You also can contact your regional McKinney-Vento liaison for more information.

Lead Regional Liaison & Transportation Coordinator:

Sandy Blanco

sblanco@roe35.org

ROE 35 Ombudsperson:

Ryan Myers

rmyers@roe35.org

(815) 434-0780