McKinney-Vento+FAQ's

__Frequently Asked Questions- McKinney-Vento __

 * What is McKinney-Vento? **
 * Who may be considered homeless under the law? **
 * How is eligibility decided? **
 * What are the school choices for homeless students? **
 * What factors should be considered when making school selection? **
 * What is the enrollment procedure? **
 * What about transportation? **
 * What if there is a disagreement over eligibility, enrollment or transportation? **

__**What is McKinney-Vento? **__  The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was originally signed into law in 1987. Title VII, Subtitle B of that law is included in the 2002 reauthorization of No Child Left Behind, Title X. The statute requires every public school district and charter holder to designate a Homeless Liaison to ensure that homeless students are identified, immediately enrolled in school, have access to educational opportunities equal to those of their non-homeless peers, and receive assistance in evaluating and meeting other needs unique to their situation. **Goal: ** “To ensure that homeless children and youth have access to a free, appropriate public education, comparable to that provided to the children of any Arizona resident and consistent with Arizona’s mandatory school attendance laws.” – [|Arizona Department of Education] __**Who may be considered homeless under the law? **__  According to McKinney-Vento definitions homeless children and youth may include those:  • In a shelter, temporary shared housing, or transitional living program  <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• In a hotel/motel, campground, or similar situation due to lack of alternatives  <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• At a bus station, park, car, or abandoned building  <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• In temporary or transitional foster care placement Unaccompanied Youth also have rights under McKinney-Vento. According to the law the term 'unaccompanied youth' includes a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. __**<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">How is eligibility decided? **__  <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Determinations of eligibility are made on a case-by-case basis using two key criteria:   <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• Housing that is Temporary or Transitional  <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• Due to Hardship or Crisis

__**<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">What are the school choices for homeless students? **__  M<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">cKinney-Vento allows eligible students to select/attend one of the following:   <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• The school of origin: The school attended when permanently housed or the school in which the student was last enrolled  <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• The school of residency: The school in the attendance area where the student currently resides **__<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">What factors should be considered when making school selection? __** <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The primary concern is what is in the best interest of the student. The safety, welfare, and educational stability of the student must be considered when deciding on the appropriate school choice. __**<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Some questions parents, liaisons, and school staff should think about include: **__  •<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> How old is the student? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> • How deep are the student’s ties to the school of origin? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> • How many times has the student changed schools? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> • What is the commute distance and how will it impact the student? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• Does the student have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or other special program needs to consider? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• Are there any safety issues to consider? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• How long will the student likely be at the current temporary residence? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• Where is the student likely to be relocated when permanent housing is obtained? <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• Where are other school age siblings attending? **__<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">What is the enrollment procedure? __** <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">A Student Residency Questionnaire will be provided to all families or unaccompanied youth seeking enrollment at any Isaac School. If any of the three questions at the top of the questionnaire are answered YES, the following procedure will be followed: <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• The student will be immediately enrolled and the district homeless family liaison will be contacted to verify the student’s eligibility under McKinney-Vento. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• The family/student will be provided with the “Rights of Homeless Students” policy and the “Information to Parents” flyer. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• The liaison will work with eligible students/families to obtain missing records, documents, immunizations, etc. according to district, state, and federal guidelines. The student needs to remain in attendance at school while these matters are being resolved. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> • Once enrolled at a school site, McKinney-Vento eligible students have the right to remain in attendance at that site until the end of the school year after becoming permanently housed. If the liaison determines the student is NOT eligible under McKinney-Vento, the family has the right to dispute. The student has the right to remain in attendance where enrollment is sought while the dispute is being resolved. __**<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">What about transportation? **__  •<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Regular district bus transportation is provided for: Elementary students more than 1 mile from school; Junior High students more than 1.5 miles from school. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• If an eligible student is temporarily residing beyond established attendance boundaries, McKinney-Vento requires school districts to provide them with transportation to and from school of origin upon parental request and if it is determined to be in the best interest of the student. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• District transportation obligations apply only to compulsory school attendance during the regular school day. • Districts are not obligated to provide transportation to locations other than to/from school and primary nighttime residence. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• District transportation may be provided by traditional bus, short bus, van, contracted transport servers, dispensing public transportation passes, or reimbursing parents who are able to transport and who meet certain district guidelines (contact the liaison for more information). <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> • District transportation for homeless education MUST be coordinated through the district homeless family liaison. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• Some situations require two districts to share student transportation responsibilities. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">• It is parent responsibility to notify the transportation department(s) if your child(ren) will not be at a designated stop. District transportation may be cancelled after three no-shows if the transportation department is not called. Keep in contact with the liaison to help resolve transportation or communication issues quickly. <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;"> • The same behavior rules apply for ALL students provided district transportation regardless of housing status. Transportation may be suspended for any students displaying extreme or persistent misbehavior. __**<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">What if there is a disagreement over eligibility, enrollment, or transportation? **__ <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The parent has the right to dispute any eligibility, enrollment, or transportation decision made for their student. The liaison can assist families in understanding and starting the dispute process. If it is a liaison decision that is being disputed, the Director of Title 1 will mediate the dispute and provide a decision in writing. If parent disputes the director’s decision, they may appeal that decision to the Arizona State Department of Education. __**<span style="color: #5f199f; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Please note: **__ <span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: left;">The student has the right to remain in attendance at the school where enrollment is sought while the dispute is being resolved.

__**Back to Homeless** **page**__