Definition:
The McKinney-Vento Act is federal legislation, in effect since 1987, that ensures the rights and protections of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act is to ensure that homeless children and youth are enrolled in and succeed in school. The McKinney-Vento Act defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
Students in the following situations may be entitled to additional support:
· Living with other families or friends (i.e. doubled-up housing)
· Living in hotels or motels
· Living in homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, or transitional housing
· Living in cars, abandoned buildings, parks, on the street, or other public spaces
· Living as a runaway or in homeless youth shelters
· Living in temporary foster care placement
McKinney-Vento eligible students have the right to:
· Attend school in the attendance area where they are currently living.
· Attend the school of origin (the school they attended when they became homeless), or the school in which they were last enrolled.
· Support enrolling and succeeding in school from the district McKinney-Vento Liaison.
· Receive transportation to their school, if necessary.
· Free school meals (Mc Kinney-Vento Liaison will complete the application).
· Services for English Language Learners, Special Education, and/or Gifted Education.
· Receive tutoring services focusing on academic assistance.
· Receive Preschool services.
Community Resources:
· Hopelink – 425-556-9283-shelter or 425 869-6000 – Food Bank
· Crisis Clinic – 877-211-WASH or 206 461-3200 www.crisisclinic.org
· Eastside Domestic Violence – 425-746-1940 or 1-800- 827-8840
· Eastgate Public Health – 206-296-4920 or 1 800 244-4312
· Friends of Youth – 206-236-5437
· Youth Eastside Services “YES” – 425-747-4937
· TEENLINK – 206-461-4922 1-866-833-6546 www.866TEENLINK.ORG
· Department of Social and Human Services (DSHS) 206 341-7404
Additional Resources:
· Melinda Dyer, Program Supervisor – State of Washington
Education of Homeless Children and Youth
Melinda.dyer@k12.wa.us
· National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAECHY)
www.naehcy.org
· National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)
www.serve.org/nche/
District and State Policies:
If you have questions or require assistance, please contact:
Bellevue School District’s McKinney-Vento Liaison: Betty Takahashi, 425-456-4241, takahashib@bsd405.org
Supervisor Title I & LAP: LeAnn Tuupo, 425-456-4135, tuupol@bsd405.org