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McKinney-Vento Act

What is McKinney-Vento?

The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act is a Federal law ensuring equitable educational stability of youth. It was most recently reauthorized in 2015 under Title XI, Part A under the Every Student Succeeds Act.

 
Definition of Homelessness/Unaccompanied Youth
  • Children living doubled up due to loss of housing, economic, hardship or similar problems,
  • Children living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds due to lack of alternate adequate housing,
  • Children living in a private or public space not meant for human nighttime residence such as park benches or playgrounds,
  • Children living in a bus station, car, abandoned building, park or substandard housing, and
  • Children living in “emergency or transitional shelters”.
McKinney-Vento Act Family Rights & Student Rights 
 
MV Rights
 
 

Services

Eligible students have the right to access educational and other services they need to meet the same challenging State student academic achievement standards to which all students are held, such as, but not limited to:

  • Enrollment
  • Tutoring Services
  • Transportation
  • Free school meals
  • Barrier removal to participate in school sponsored programs and activities
  • Medical referrals
  • Mental and behavioral health referrals
Disputes
 
Upon determination for eligibility, families will receive a written notification of the school’s decision. Parents, guardians, or unaccompanied youths experiencing homelessness may disagree with schools or school districts on issues related to eligibility for McKinney-Vento services, school enrollment, and school selection. If a resolution is not possible between parties, they may enter into a formal dispute resolution. Formal dispute resolutions are completed with the intervention of an objective third party to:
      1. Ensures that each party’s views are represented,
      2. Enables the facts of the case to be considered objectively, and 
      3. Allows students to attend school while bringing the disagreement to closure.
To enter a formal dispute, you need to contact your local liaison, Mr. Grove at [email protected]; (773) 237-2702], and inform him that you disagree with the school’s decision. 
  • After receiving your notification of dispute, the school will provide the family with a letter indicating the school’s position on the dispute. A copy of this letter will be sent to the regional superintendent of schools and the State Coordinator. 
  • No later than 10 school days after receiving the notification, the regional superintendent of schools must appoint an ombudsperson who is fair and impartial and familiar with the educational rights and needs of homeless children to provide information and resolve the disputes at schools within the region relating to the rights of homeless children under the Education for Homeless Children Act. 
    1. If possible, the ombudsperson shall convene a meeting of all parties and attempt to resolve the dispute within 5 schools days after receiving notice of the dispute. 
  • No later than 10 school days after the conclusion of the dispute resolution meeting, if possible, the ombudsperson must make a written determination.
  • No later than five school days after receiving the ombudsperson’s determination, each part of the dispute resolution meeting may appeal the decision by submitting a written request, via email to [email protected] or regular mail to 100 North First Street, Springfield, IL 62777, to the State Coordinator that includes any documentation relating to the dispute resolution meeting and final determination 
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