MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT
All Indiana local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to post information regarding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act on their website. Pursuant to IC 20-50-1-5, each LEA must have a dedicated McKinney-Vento webpage on the district’s website:
The McKinney Vento Act provides certain rights for homeless students. They include waiving certain requirements such as proof of residency when students are enrolling and allowing categorical eligibility for certain services, such as free textbooks. The Act also states:
- Homeless students may attend their school of origin or the school where they are temporarily residing;
- Homeless students must be provided a written statement of their rights when they enroll and at least two times per year;
- Homeless students may enroll without school, medical, or similar records;
- Homeless students have a right to transportation to school;
- Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service or enrollment;
- Students must receive services, such as transportation, while disputes are being settled;
- Students are automatically eligible for Title I services;
- School districts must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students;
- School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless students;
- Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless students, in schools and other places that homeless families may frequent; and
- School districts must identify a McKinney Vento Liaison to assist students.
Whitko Community Schools Liason Contact Information:
Kari Walmer
Director of Special Services
kari.walmer@whitko.org
(260) 327-3677
IDOE State Coordinators Contact Information:
Flora Jones
Director of Student Pathways & Opportunities
Charie Gibson
Homeless Education Specialist
Resources:
IDOE’s McKinney-Vento: Homeless Children & Youth Program
Access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Unaccompanied Youth
National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
U.S. Department of Education | Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program
State and Federal Resources Directory:
- LEA McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution Procedure
- LEA McKinney-Vento Eligibility Notification
- LEA McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution Form
- Parent McKinney-Vento Eligibility Appeal Form
- Tip Sheet – SNAP Benefits
- Tip Sheet – SSI (social security) Benefits
- Tip Sheet – Trauma Informed Care
- National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
- School House Connection
- National Association for the Education of Homeless Children & Youth (NAEHCY)
- National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
- U.S. Department of Education
- Human Trafficking FAQs
Newsletters and Bulletins Related to Resources and Supports: