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McKinney-Vento

A colorful display of numerous stacked books arranged in an arch shape on a table with papers and charts.

3,913 pencils represent the number of homeless children and youth reported by NH schools during the 2016-2017 school year.

Provides certain rights and protection for families experiencing homelessness.
According to the McKinney-Vento, anyone who lacks a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence is homeless.

For more information about your child(ren)'s rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact:

 

Know your educational rights!
Under the federal McKinney­-Vento Act, children and youth in homeless situations have the right to:

  • Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required 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
  • Attend either the local school or the "school of origin", if this is in 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 support to and from the "school of origin" if in the best interest of the child(ren)
  • Free breakfast and lunch for the school year
  • Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these program

A student is considered "homeless" if he or she is presently:

  • Living in a shelter
  • Living in a motel, hotel, or campground due to lack of adequate housing
  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar settings
  • "Doubled up" living with friends or family due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
  • An "unaccompanied youth" living without a parent/guardian
  • A child of a migrant worker
  • In other situations that are not fixed, regular, or adequate for nighttime residence

Duties of the District Liaison:

  • Assist in requesting the student’s records;
  • Mediate and assist with disputes concerning school enrollment and homelessness determinations;
  • Assist in making transportation arrangements;
  • Ensure that homeless students receive the educational services for which they are eligible or entitled; 
  • Coordinate with other Districts, entities, institutions and agencies to help assure that homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel; 
  • Ensure that unaccompanied youth and/or parents of homeless students are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to homeless students;
  • Work to assure that parents/guardians of such students are provided with opportunities to participate in the education of their children (excepting instances when court or other protective orders indicate otherwise);
  • Ensure that unaccompanied youth and/or parents of homeless students are informed of all transportation services including transportation to the school of origin;
  • Assure that notice is publicly disseminated of the educational rights of homeless children and youths;
  • Coordinate with other Districts and with local social services agencies and other agencies or programs providing services to homeless students as needed; 
  • Assist any unaccompanied youth with enrollment, credit accrual, and career and college readiness decisions; 
  • Work with the Superintendent or designee to monitor regulations and guidance related to this policy that may be issued by applicable state and federal agencies (e.g., DCYF, NHDOE, and the U.S. Department of Education). 

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