Definition of McKinney-Vento Act:

42 USC § 11431 – STATEMENT OF POLICY the following is the policy of the Congress

(1) Each State educational agency shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths.

(2) In any State that has a compulsory residency requirement as a component of the State’s compulsory school attendance laws or other laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths, the State will review and undertake steps to revise such laws, regulations, practices, or policies to ensure that homeless children and youths are afforded the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths.

(3) Homelessness alone is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment.

(4) Homeless children and youths should have access to the education and other services that such children and youths need to ensure that such children and youths have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State student academic achievement standards to which all students are held.

If your family is in a temporary or inadequate living situation due to a loss of housing, your child might be eligible for certain educational rights.

Eligibility for McKinney-Vento Services

If your family lives:

• in an emergency shelter or transitional shelter
• in a motel, hotel, or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
• doubled-up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
• in a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
• in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train
  stations, or similar settings
• migratory children living in the above circumstances
• unaccompanied youth living in the above circumstances

Then, your child might be able to receive help through a federal law called the

McKinney-Vento Act. Unaccompanied homeless youth are ensured the same educational rights that the McKinney-Vento Act provides for other homeless students.

McKinney-Vento Rights and Supports

Your McKinney-Vento eligible children have the right to:

• receive a free, appropriate public education.
• enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
• enroll in the local school; or continue attending the school of origin (the school they
  attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.
• receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
• receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to
  your children’s needs.

*If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your   children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform    you of your right to appeal its decision.

Resources from NCHE:

Website: http://nche.ed.gov
Parent Resources: https://nche.ed.gov/ibt/parent_res.php
Parent Right’s Brochure (English): https://nche.ed.gov/downloads/parentbrochure_eng.pdf
Parent Right’s Brochure (Spanish): https://nche.ed.gov/downloads/parentbrochure_sp.pdf
NCHE Brief: https://nche.ed.gov/downloads/briefs/introduction.pdf

Common questions regarding services under the McKinney-Vento Act?

Who is the local homeless education liaison for Raleigh Oak Charter School?
Dallas Stephenson

How can I contact them?
dstephenson@raleighoakcharter.org

For information or questions about eligibility or services please contact:
Mindy Miazga  – EC Coordinator – mmiazga@raleighoakcharter.org

Who is the State Coordinator:
Lisa Phillips, lphillip@serve.org
State Data:
https://hepnc.uncg.edu/about/

http://profiles.nche.seiservices.com/StateProfile.aspx?StateID=33