The McKinney-Vento Education Program
Providing Services for Students in Transitional Living
Many families experience unemployment, job changes, or other circumstances that can cause the loss of a permanent home. The McKinney-Vento Education Program provides services for students in a transitional living situation.
What is the McKinney-Vento Act?
The McKinney-Vento Act provides protections to children "who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." Students eligible for protections under this act are:
Children sharing housing with others due to economic hardship, loss of housing, or similar reason
Children living in "motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations"
Children living in "cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations..."
Children living in "emergency or transitional shelters"
Children whose nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (i.e. park benches)
Runaways or youth rendered homeless by their parents
Students not in physical custody of a parent or legal guardian and whose living arrangements are any of the above are also included in the McKinney-Vento Act.
Student Rights
The Mc-Kinney Vento Act requires schools to enroll students experiencing homelessness immediately even if the documentation requested for enrollment is not immediately available. Eligible students have the right to a free and appropriate public education. Under federal law, McKinney-Vento provides eligible students rights including:
The right to enroll and attend classes even if you are missing documents usually required for enrollment including birth certificate, immunization records, academic records, and documentation of permanent address.
The right to go to school and receive the same services as are provided to other students.
Students have the right to remain in their school of origin when feasible and if it provides the best, adequate, and appropriate placement.
The right to transportation to school, according to current district transportation guidelines.
MESD hosts a "One-Stop Shop" for eligible students to receive everything needed to start the school year off right.
Services
The Moriarty-Edgewood School district provides the following services to eligible students through the McKinney-Vento Education Program:
School enrollment assistance and transition between schools
Support to receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the student needs
Tutoring assistance when available
Identify resources to meet homeless family needs
Provision of basic school supplies, hygiene items, and/or clothes when available
Immediate access to free lunch
Help to locate emergency assistance and referrals to community service agencies for food, shelter, clothing, health care, and basic needs
Help with transportation issues when possible
What is Title I?
Title I is a federally funded program designed to meet the needs of students primarily in the areas of language arts, math, science, and higher thinking skills. Homeless children are eligible for these services regardless where they attend school.