McKinney-Vento Act

  • The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that works to ensure educational stability for homeless youth.  The McKinney-Vento act allows homeless students to enroll in school and receive transportation without delay.  The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.”  Examples of children who fall under this definition include:

    • (a) Children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing;
    • (b) Children living in “motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations”
    • (c) Children living in "emergency or transitional shelters"
    • (d) Children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc.)
    • (e) Children living in “cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations…”

     

    Who are Homeless Children and Youth?

    Education Rights of Students Who are Homeless

     

    District 203 Homeless Liaisons

    Every Local Education Agency (LEA) is required by law to designate a local liaison for children and youth experiencing homelessness. District 203 has Homeless Liaisons who serve as one of the primary contacts between homeless families and school staff along with other service providers. The liaisons work to make sure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed academically. The liaisons ensure that student's rights are protected and that the district fulfills its responsibilities under the McKinney­-Vento Act. Please contact the Homeless Liaison for more information on services provided by District 203:

    Sarah Cammack (Enrollment/Transportations)

    SCammack@naperville203.org

    630-420-6571

    Kimberly Dreisbach (Resources/Supervisor of Social Work)

    KDreisbach@naperville203.org

    630-579-7127

    203 W. Hillside Road

    Naperville, IL 60540

    Fax: 630-420-6566

     

    Resources

    McKinney Vento Resources

    Community Partnerships

    DuPage Food Pantries

    CRIS Community Resource Information System (DuPage County)

    For more information regarding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please visit:http://www2.ed.gov/programs/homeless/legislation.html