McKinney Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act can help provide school stability for families that do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and are:
- Doubled-up and staying with friends or family due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- Living in a shelter, including transitional programs
- Staying in a hotel/motel or campground because they cannot get their own home
- Living on the streets, in a vehicle, tent or other nonpermanent structure, abandoned building, or bus/train station
Students experiencing homelessness have several rights, including:
- Staying in the same school, even if they move; and receiving transportation to that school, as long as it is in the student’s best interest
- Enrolling in school immediately without the documents schools usually require
- Receiving free school meals
- Getting help with school supplies and other needs including medical, dental and mental health services
- Extra support for youth who are on their own (unaccompanied youth)
Carlisle Area School District’s homeless liaison, Sandy Seaux, works with students and families to ensure all needs are met and students have support to succeed in school. She is available for information and assistance, and may be reached at [email protected].