McKinney-Vento
The Mckinney-Vento Act is a federal legislation that has been in effect since 1987 to support children and youth experiencing homelessness. The act defines ‘homeless child and youth’ as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and permanent nighttime residence. Mckinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.
If you lost your housing and now live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, camping ground, or temporary trailer; on the street; doubled up with family or friends; or in another type of temporary or permanent housing, your child might be able to receive help through a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act.
Children in homeless situations have the right to:
-Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there. Even while you seek to resolve a dispute over enrolling your child(ren)’s records and documents normally required for enrollment.
-Attend either the local school or the school of origin, if this is their best interest; the school of origin is the school the child attended when he/she was permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled.
-Receive transportation to and from the school of origin
-Enroll in school immediately, even while missing normally requirements for enrollment, such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization/medical records.
-Enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records.
-Have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students, including transportation and supplemental education services.
-Attend school with children not experiencing homelessness; a school can not segregate a student because he or she is homeless.
When you move, you should do the following:
Contact the school district’s local Liaison for Homeless Education, for help in enrolling your child in a new school or arranging for your child to continue in his or her former school. Contact the school and provide any information you think will assist teachers in helping your child adjust to new circumstances. Ask the local Liaison for Homeless Education, for assistance with clothing and supplies if needed.
Oakville School District Local Liaison:
Jessica Bayless
Principal
Oakville-Your Education Personalized
Oakville School District
103 School Street
Oakville, WA 98568
MS/HS Office (360) 273-5947
Fax (360) 858-1358
Additional Information about the homeless services is also available through:
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Melinda Dyer
Program Manager, Homeless Children, and Youth
(360) 725-6050
Additional Resource Links: