About the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986 is a
federal law that provides money for homeless shelter programs.
"Homeless" children are also entitled to the protections of the
McKinney-Vento Act.
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as
"individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence." The act provides examples of children who would fall under
this definition:
A. Children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing
B. Children living in "motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
C. Children living in "emergency or transitional shetlers"
D. Children "awaiting foster care placement"
E. Children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accomodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
F. Children living in "cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations..."
The McKinney-Vento Act ensures homeless children
transportation to and from school free of charge, allowing children to
attend their school of origin (last school enrolled or the school they
attend when first become homeless) regardless of what district the
family resides in. It requires school to register homeless children
even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization
records or proof of residence.
Washington State's Role
The McKinney-Vento Act is a conditional funding
act-the federal government gives grants to states and, in return, the
grantee states are bound by the terms of the act. If a state chooses
not to accept federal funds for these purposes, it does not have to
implement the act.
To implement the McKinney-Vento Act, the state must
designate a statewide homeless coordinator to review policies and create
procedures, including dispute resolution procedures, to ensure that
homeless children are able to attend school.
School Districts' Responsibilities
Local school district must appoint Liaison contacts to
ensure that school staff are aware of these rights, to provide public
notice to homeless families (at shelters and at school) and to
facilitate access to school and transportation services.
Tonasket School Districts' Liaison:
The Homeless Education Contact for the Tonasket School
District is Cayla Monroe-Sellers. She can be reached at 509-486-4933 or
[email protected]