- Vallejo City Unified School District
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
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Under federal law, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational rights and protection for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Homelessness may be experienced in a variety of ways. The McKinney-Vento definition includes youth who are sharing housing due to economic hardship; youth who live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, and shelters; youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus stations, or similar settings. Under the McKinney-Vento Act students have the right to remain in their school of origin and are entitled to immediate enrollment, even if they do not have the records required for enrollment/registration.
The Vallejo City Unified School District has a foster and homeless youth liaison who is available to assist foster youth and students without permanent housing, and their families with school enrollment, and will work with families to address any barriers that students may be facing.
Additional services may also be available to foster and homeless youth:
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Assistance with school supplies
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Basic needs, such as clothing and hygiene items
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Transportation
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Free breakfast and lunch at school
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Fee waivers
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Assistance with school records transfers
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Adjusted credit requirements for graduation
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Homeless Assistance Act FAQ
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Who is homeless?
The term “homeless children and youth”— (A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence …; and (B) includes— (i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement; (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings … (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and (iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses
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What rights does my eligible child have under the Act?
- 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 their school or origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible. o 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
- 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.
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What will I need to enroll my child?
The McKinney-Vento Act requires that children experiencing homelessness be enrolled in school without delay. When registering, parents will be asked for school records, birth certificate, and immunization records. If the parent does not have all of these items, the child will be enrolled and the school will work with you to obtain these documents.
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Who is the school-based liaison for families experiencing homelessness?
The school's academic support provider (ASP) and the McKinney-Vento/foster youth counselor are designated as liaisons for families that are experiencing homelessness. The ASP is responsible for giving you a copy of the parent and student rights under the McKinney-Vento Act and working with you to complete the McKinney-Vento Program's Homeless Student Services form.
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How do I ensure my child receives services provided by the McKinney-Vento Program Office?
Parents must complete the McKinney-Vento student services form each year that the child continues to live in temporary housing. Failure to complete this form prior to the start of each school year can result in a delay of services.
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Where is the McKinney-Vento form?
The form is located on the VCUSD website under student services/McKinney-Vento Act.
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Who do I call if there is a delay in enrollment?
Contact the McKinney-Vento Program Office if you have questions or concerns regarding enrollment.
Contact Us
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Dr. Edison Kelly
Director of Student Services
707-556-8921 x50283
ekelly@vcusd.orgAngela Kelley-Santos
McKinney Vento and Foster Youth Counselor
707-556-8670 x60118
akelleysantos@vcusd.org