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  1. Services & Support
  2. Intervention and Student/Family Support
  3. Resources for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Resources for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Support for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Our district is committed to ensuring that all students have full access to education and can participate in school activities, regardless of their housing situation. We provide essential resources to meet basic needs and work closely with families to keep them engaged in their child’s education.

McKinney-Vento Act (Title IX)

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

If your family has lost housing, your child may be eligible for support under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. This law provides assistance to students living in the following situations:

  • Unsheltered and living in a vehicle, park, campground, bus/train station, abandoned building, without running water or electricity, abandoned in a hospital, or other inadequate housing accommodations.
  • Temporarily living with another person due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.
  • Residing in a hotel/motel.
  • Staying in an emergency or transitional shelter.
  • Living without a parent or legal guardian.

Visit OSPI Website to Learn More

Questions? Need help?

For questions or assistance, please contact Dr. Jennifer Hernandez, the District’s McKinney-Vento Liaison by email or call 360-473-1077. You may also contact your child’s school counselor.

Student Rights

Eligible students have the right to:

  • Receive a free education.
  • Enroll in school immediately, even without required documents.
  • Once enrolled, begin attending school immediately, and attend classes while the school gathers missing documents.
  • Enroll in the nearest school or the school they last attended (school of origin), even after relocating.
  • Receive transportation (which may include a city bus pass or gas vouchers) to and from their school of origin.
  • Access the same educational services as other students, even if they cannot pay for them.
  • Participate in before and after-school programs.
  • Receive counseling services.
  • Get free breakfast and lunch.
  • Join special education, bilingual, vocational, and other District programs if qualified.
  • Receive necessary school supplies.
  • Be evaluated for any disabilities.
  • Receive support from the district’s liaison, Dr. Jennifer Hernandez, and school counselors and school and family liaisons

Student, Family, and School Liaisons

Our Student, Family, and School Liaisons are responsible for support and engagement activities in our schools, including the planning, implementation, and coordination of support to meet the needs of students and families in crisis. Liaisons serve as a "case manager," partnering with teachers, school staff, students, families, union leadership, and community resources to develop relationships with students and families in need, supporting them in the individualized manner that is best suited to ensure the student’s success. 

Our Student, Family, and School Liaisons can:

  • Meet with families to assist with school registration
  • Serve as a liaison between schools, shelters, parents and students
  • Arrange transportation for students to continue attending the same school even if they move out of school boundaries
  • Provide basic needs
  • Assist families in finding resources in the community

 

Dispute resolution process

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act acknowledges that disputes may arise between the school district and homeless students and their parents, or unaccompanied youth, when the district seeks to place a student in a school other than the school of origin or the school requested by the parent or unaccompanied youth. The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has developed a dispute resolution process as required by the McKinney-Vento Act. Disputes related to school selection or enrollment should be initiated at the request of the parent or unaccompanied youth and not at the request of the school district.

McKinney-Vento Questionnaires

Related Policies & Procedures

  • 3115

    Students Experiencing Homelessness: Enrollment Rights and Services

  • 3115P

    Procedure: Students Experiencing Homelessness: Enrollment Rights and Services

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