McKinney-Vento (Homeless) Program
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.
What is the McKinney Vento Program?
The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness, which includes those who are: sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative; staying in shelters or transitional housing; or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, every local educational agency is required to designate a liaison for homeless children and youth.
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 assistance referrals
- Medical and dental vouchers (when available)
- Birth certificate referrals
- 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)
- 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.
Resources for Families
| Resource | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Homeless Hotline | 816.474.4599 |
| SOS Youth Hotline | 913.324.3619 |
| Domestic Violence Hotline | 816.HOTLINE 816.799.SAFE |
| United Way | 211 or 816.474.5112 |
| MOCSA (Sexual Assault Hotline) | 816.931.4572 |
| Public Housing Information | 913.281.3300 |
| Department for Children and Families (DCF) | 913.279.7000 |
| Housing | kcmetrohousing.org |
| Safe Place(24 hour Youth Crisis Hotline) | 816-741-8700 |
| Avenue of Life | 816-797-6101 |
| Restart Inc. | 816-842-1199 |
| Synergry Services | 816-587-4100 |
Contact Us:
Jessica Smith – McKinney-Vento Liaison | 913.279.2150 or email jessicar.smith@kckps.org
Parent Liaison | 913.279.2087
Central Office and Training Center
2010 N. 59th Street, Kansas City, KS
For more information regarding McKinney Vento Federal Law and Policies, please click here.
Click here for an informational, printable brochure.
Youth Poster (English PDF)
Youth Poster (Spanish PDF)
Parent Poster (English PDF)
Parent Poster (Spanish PDF)
KCKPS McKinney-Vento in the News:
Fox 4 KC – With KCKPS starting virtually, program to help homeless students working even harder