Special Services
Families in Transition/Homeless Assistance Education
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to the state for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.
WHO IS CONSIDERED MCKINNEY-VENTO ELIGIBLE?
Any child who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless, including those who are temporarily sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship. This includes children and youth who are living in hotels; camping grounds; emergency shelter; cars; bus or train stations, or other similar settings; unaccompanied youth; transitional housing programs and children in foster or temporary placements.
EDUCATION RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO QUALIFY FOR SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
Our schools provide equal and comparable access to all students regardless of their home living situation. McKinney-Vento eligible children and youth have specific rights that include:
Maintain attendance at the school of origin-current school for the remainder of the current school year (if this is in the child's best interest and feasible) or enroll in the neighborhood school currently residing;
Transportation assistance to and from school if needed;
Eligible for FREE food services;
Appropriate support services and programs for which they are eligible, such as gifted, children with disabilities, vocational education, preschool;
Receive academic assistance through the district's federally funded Title I program; and
Parent or guardian involvement in school activities;
If the school district places your child(ren) in a school other than the school of origin or the school you request, you have the right to appeal that decision.
If you have a student/child who may qualify for McKinney-Vento service or would like more information, please contact your school counselor or our district liaison, Nicole Viola.
Resources for Families
Students identified as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act automatically qualify for free and reduced price meals upon enrollment.
National Center for Homeless Education
New Jersey Department of Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. If your child qualifies for McKinney-Vento and is struggling in school, please contact Nicole Viola Supervisor of Special Services, for additional resources.