Homeless Programs — Federal Publications

Schools give homeless children hope and a chance for a better future.

What You Need to Know to Help Your Child in School —
A Guide for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers .pdf

Lo que Necesita Saber para Ayudar a Su Hijo en la escuela —
Una Guía para Padres, Tutores, y Encargados .pdf

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY)

McKinney-Vento 2001 - LAW into PRACTICE:

Homeless & School Nutrition Memo .pdf
Enrollment .pdf
Identifying Students in Homeless Situations .pdf
LEA Liaisons .pdf
Resolution of Disputes .pdf
School Selection .pdf
Title I and Homelessness .pdf
Transportation .pdf
Unaccompanied Youth .pdf

The Educational Rights of Students in Homeless Situations:

What LEA Administrators Must Know .pdf
What Service Providers Should Know .pdf
Who is Homeless .pdf

Reauthorization of McKinney-Vento 2001:

At a Glance .pdf
Summary of McKinney-Vento Act and Title I Provisions .pdf
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act of 2001 — Title X, Part C [PowerPoint Presentation] .ppt

Homeless Liaison Toolkit (rev. 2005, 307 pages, 7.32MB) .pdf

McKinney-Vento (Homeless) Program

For several years, the McKinney-Vento Program has proudly served KCKPS students and their families by connecting them to community resources and agencies providing food, clothing, employment, emergency services, housing and utility assistance.

Our dedicated team is committed to meeting students’ basic needs and ensuring they have everything required to be successful.

Contact Us

Brochure

Services Offered:

• Transportation to and from school (if applicable)
• Enrollment advocacy
• School supplies, uniforms, books
• Tutoring and counseling
• Referrals for clothes and food
• Hygiene items
• Housing referrals
• Medical and dental vouchers
• Birth certificate assistance
• Cap and gown fee

Who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services?

A student or family that lives:

• doubled-up with friends or relatives on a temporary basis
• in a park, motel or campground
• in a shelter
• in a vehicle
• on a street
• as a runaway

A McKinney-Vento student has the right to:

• Attend their school of origin (known as the “home school”) or the school for the area where the student currently lives.
• Immediately enroll in school without providing documents, including proof of residency.
  • (Schools MUST permit you to enroll, even if you do not have these documents.)

                 They have 30 days to provide the following:

• Birth certificates
• Immunization records
• Physicals (as needed)
• Social Security cards
• Notarized forms
• Free lunch beginning first day
• Transportation to and from school (if applicable)
• Participate in tutoring and other school-related activities
• Referrals for uniforms, medical aid and food assistance

How You Can Help:

• Donate school supplies, gift cards, hygiene products, clothing, etc.
• Provide financial assistance to pay for housing, cap and gown fees, etc.
• Set-up fundraising events

Contact McKinney-Vento staff for more information.

Contact Us:

McKinney-Vento Liaison | 913.279.2150
Parent Liaison | 913.279.2087
Central Office and Training Center
2010 N. 59th Street, Kansas City, KS

Click here for an informational, printable brochure.

Homeless Programs —

FAQ

Schools give homeless children hope and a chance for a better future.

Definition of Homeless

• In emergency or transitional shelters.
• In motels, hotels, trailer parks, campgrounds, abandoned in hospitals, or awaiting foster care.
• In cars, parks, public places, bus or train stations, or abandoned buildings.
• Doubled up with relative or friends.
• Migratory children living in these conditions.

How Vulnerable Are You to Becoming Homeless?

• Could you ever experience a flood, fire, tornado, or other natural disaster?
• Do you work in an area of the economy / job market where your job might become obsolete?
• Could you ever suffer from a long-term illness or accident without proper health benefits or other compensations?
• Do you live in a household with no more than one full-time wage earner?
• Are you behind on any monthly bills?
• Are housing costs in your area increasing faster than wages?
• Does anyone in your family struggle with addictions such as drugs or alcohol?

What Homeless Families Need to Know

• Homeless children have a right to attend school.
• You do not need a permanent address to enroll your child in school.
• Homeless children have the right to stay in their home school if the parents choose.
• Your child cannot be denied school enrollment just because school records or other enrollment documentation are not immediately available.
• Your child has the right to transportation services to and from the school of origin.
• Your child has the right to participate in extracurricular activities and all federal, state, or local programs for which he/she is eligible.

What Your Family Can Do Before You Move

• Tell your child's teacher and principal that your child is moving, and give them the new address.
• Let school officials know if you want your child to stay in his/her home school while you are getting the family stabilized.
• Ask for a copy of your child's school records, including immunization.

Tips for Families Who Move Often

• Keep a copy of birth certificates and school records accessible.
• Safeguard all health and immunization records.
• Have a reliable person keep a second copy of the child's birth certificate, school records, and health information.
• Enroll children in school as soon as possible.

Ask about These Special Services at School

• Free breakfast and lunch programs.
• Free transportation services.
• Special transportation for children to remain in their home school.
• Special education programs, especially if the student has previously received special education services.
• Tutoring programs.
• Programs to help children learn English.
• Gifted or talented programs.
• Summer school programs.
• Pre-school programs.
• After-school programs.
• Homeless assistance programs.

Donations — Homeless Programs

Schools give homeless children hope and a chance for a better future.

School Supplies

• backpacks
• notebooks
• crayons
• markers
• folders
• rulers
• pencil bags
• Composition book

Hygiene Items

• soaps
• shampoos
• lotions
• toothbrushes
• toothpaste
• deodorants
• socks
• underwear
• diapers
• blankets
• gently worn clothing
• new clothing
• bottles
• baby wipes