McKinney-Vento / Homeless Assistance

McKinney-Vento Act (homeless student information)

This webpage was created to help support students and youth who are experiencing homelessness and to help remove the barriers to education experienced by homeless students.
 
The federal McKinney-Vento Act requires states and school districts to remove barriers to the identification, enrollment, stability, and success of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness, which includes those who are: sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative; staying in shelters or transitional housing; or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings.

Students Experiencing Homelessness

  • MV Act defines homeless as the student lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to loss of housing or similar reason
  • Students experiencing homelessness should be immediately enrolled even if they lack required documents (birth certificate, proof of residence, immunization records, etc.)
  • Students may either continue in their school of origin (includes feeder pattern schools) or enroll in the district where they are living or a PSA / charter
  • Transportation to school of origin is required if the student would face a barrier to attendance without it
  • Provide uniforms / school clothes, school supplies, and hygiene items to students who need them
     

Your McKinney-Vento Liaison
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, every local educational agency is required to designate a liaison for homeless children and youth. The local educational agency liaison coordinates services to ensure that homeless children and youths enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed academically.

Kentwood Public Schools 
McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Sarah Weir
sarah.weir@kentwoodps.org 
office 616-426-4146 
text: 616-425-9854