Homeless Education

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Subtitle B – Education for Homeless Children and Youth), reauthorized in January 2002, ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

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 (i) through (iii).

Over 1.35 million children and youth experience homelessness in a year.  Families are the fastest-growing segment of the homeless population in the United States, accounting for approximately 40% of those in homeless situations.  Children and youth in homeless situations often do not fit society’s stereotypical images.  For example, many children who are homeless are very young; in fact, over 40% of children living in homeless shelters are under the age of five.  The primary causes of homelessness among unaccompanied youth are physical and sexual abuse by a parent or guardian, neglect, parental substance abuse, and family conflict. 

Local Forms/Information

§  Homeless Student Information

§  Homeless Education Affidavit – Parent

§  Homeless Education Affidavit – Unaccompanied Youth

§  Dispute Resolution Process

§  Written Notification of Enrollment Decision

§  Written Notification Appeal of Enrollment Decision

Useful Links

www.serve.org/hepnc

Jones County Public Schools Board Polices:

§  4100-Age Requirements for Initial Entry

§  4110-Immunization and Health Requirements for School Admission

§  4115-Behavior Standards for Transfer Students

§  4120-Domicile or Residence Requirements

§  4125-Homeless Students

§  4150-School Assignment