McKinney-Vento Act
Homeless Education
The Ontonagon School District works to ensure students experiencing homelessness and temporary living situations have the opportunity to receive a stable, continuous education, regardless of their housing situation.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide students experiencing homelessness the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning as possible.
The McKinney-Vento Act defines children experiencing homelessness as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition includes (but is not limited to) children who are:
- sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing (e.g. doubled-up)
- living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds
- living in emergency or transitional shelters
- sleeping in places unfit for human habitation (e.g. park benches)
- living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, etc.
Students experiencing homelessness have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education.
- Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
- Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
- Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.
- If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your child(ren), then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
- Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
- Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your child(ren)’s needs.
If you believe your child(ren) may be eligible, please contact the local school McKinney-Vento Liaison to find out what services and supports may be available.
McKinney-Vento Liaison Contact Info
Contact the school at 906-813-0614 and ask for the McKinney Vento Contact
FOR IMMEDIATE HELP CALL 2-1-1
Available 24/7.
It’s free and confidential.
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