McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that works to ensure educational stability for youth in unstable living circumstances. The act allows students experiencing homelessness to enroll in school without delay and to be connected with appropriate services.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” Examples of this includes:
- Children sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- Children living in “motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations”
- Children living in “emergency or transitional shelters”
- Children whose primary nighttime residence that is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation
- Children living in “cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus/train stations…”
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures children experiencing homelessness the following:
- School of Choice: Children eligible under McKinney Vento 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.
- Immediate enrollment: Even if medical or other records, birth certificates, or transcripts cannot be produced a the time of enrollment.
- Transportation to and from school
- Priority consideration for preschool program enrollment
- No cost school lunch and school fee waivers
- Support for other barriers to educational access
District 101 McKinney Vento Liaisons
Every Local Education Agency (LEA) is required by law to designate a liaison for children and you experiencing housing instability. The role of the liaison is to ensure school enrollment and access to resources in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act.
McKinney-Vento Liaisons in Batavia Public School District 101 include:
Natalie Assell – Director of Student Services
Amy Nelson – Community Outreach Specialist