Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness

McKinney-Vento Program and Eligibility

The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness.  It defines homeless children and youth as those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to economic hardship.  Specific examples of living situations that meet this definition:
  • sharing housing due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
  • living in hotels, motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate housing;
  • living in emergency, domestic violence, or transitional shelters;
  • living in a public or private place, not designed for or normally used as regular sleeping accommodations;
  • living in a car, park, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings
When considering if a student meets the criteria in the definition provided by the law, it is important to remember that the list above is only a guide, and more situations may exist that meet the criteria.

If you feel you and your family are experiencing a situation that qualifies you under the McKinney Vento Act, please contact the District's Homeless Liaison.

Piqua City Schools McKinney Vento Liaison:
Mindy Gearhardt, Director of Student Services
Phone: 937-773-654, ext. 6511

Educational Rights

If you are experiencing homelessness, you and your child(ren) have certain rights and protections under federal law:
  • The right to remain in the school your child(ren) was attending when they became homeless.
  • The right to be immediately enrolled in a new school in the district in which the child(ren) is currently staying, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
  • The right to immediate enrollment without proof of guardianship if the student is an unaccompanied homeless youth.
  • The right to transportation to and from their school of origin, if you requested.
  • The right to access all programs or services eligible for child(ren) including educational supports, special education, access to free school lunch, etc.
  • The right to dispute any eligibility, enrollment, or school selection decision.
Gearhardt, Mindy
Director of Student Services
Office: 937-773-4321 x 6511
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