McKinney Vento

Homeless Students

The U.S. McKinney-Vento Assistance Act defines a homeless child as any student that does not have a fixed, regular and adequate place to sleep at night and qualifies for educational assistance. This includes students and families that stay at a shelter, motel/hotel, car, park, abandoned apartment/building, or with relatives or others due to lack of housing.

Student Rights

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, as part of the McKinney-Vento, indicates student rights of the following:

● Choice of school: Children eligible for McKinney-Vento services may attend their school of origin (school last attended or school attended when a 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 the time of enrollment

● Transportation: Must be provided if requested

● Preschool: Priority consideration to preschool programs for eligible youngsters

● Free lunch and fee waivers: Categorically eligible for free lunch

● Supplemental tutoring: If needed

Dispute Process

Calumet City School District 155 dispute resolution process is the last resort used to bridge disagreements between a school district and a student/family. Prior to initiating dispute resolution, the district’s local homeless liaison shall attempt to resolve the disagreement informally.

The dispute resolution process contained herein is:

1. The only process to formally determine the outcome of a homeless-related dispute between an eligible student and a

district

2. A method of sensitivity resolving disagreements with respect to eligibility

3. To be used for resolving disputes regarding enrollment, full participation in school activities, transportation and other issues related to homelessness.

4. To be structured as informally as possible in order to allow parents/guardians or unaccompanied youth as much assistance as possible navigating the process.