Families in Transition (FIT)
MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT
The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program's major responsibility is to implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Homeless children and unaccompanied youth must have access to public school educational programs and services that allow them to meet the same challenging state academic standards to which all students are held.
McKinney-Vento defines homelessness as:
Sharing the housing of others due to loss of one’s own 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;
Sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings.
Your McKinney-Vento eligible children have the right to:
Receive a free, appropriate public education;
Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment;
Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents;
Enroll in the local school; or continue attending the school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference;
If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision;
Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this and it is determined to be in the best interest of the child;
Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs;
District Contacts:
If you are experiencing a residency situation as defined above, please contact a staff member listed below to determine if your student is eligible for additional services.
Tiffany Sponholz, District Coordinator-ESC
920-885-7300 ext: 1121 sponholzt@bdusd.org
Lisa Breselow, School Social Worker-High School
920-885-7313 ext: 2120 breselowl@bdusd.org
Sarah Connaughty, School Social Worker-Middle School
920-885-7365 ext: 1132 connaughtys@bdusd.org
Shauna Cahill, School Counselor-Jefferson Elementary
920-885-7392 ext: 4116 cahills@bdusd.org
Jocelyn Hauschild, School Social Worker-Lincoln Elementary
920-885-7396 ext: 4229 hauschildj@bdusd.org
Karla Daane, School Counselor-Prairie View Elementary
920-885-7380 ext: 4361 daanek@bdusd.org
Nicole Vessey, School Counselor-Washington Elementary
920-885-7376 ext: 1147
Joy Lachendro, School Social Worker-Wilson Elementary
920-885-7376 ext: 4526 (leave message)
Your housing status is confidential and will only be shared with district employees who are needed to offer assistance.
Dispute Resolution
Written explanation of any decisions related to school selection or enrollment made by the school, the local educational agency, or the State educational agency involved, including the rights of the parents, guardian, or unaccompanied youth to appeal and receive prompt resolution of such decisions. Homeless families and youths have the right to challenge placement and enrollment decisions. If a dispute arises between a school and a parent, guardian or unaccompanied youth regarding eligibility, school selection, or enrollment of a homeless student, the District must follow its dispute resolution procedures, consistent with the State established procedures. If such a dispute occurs, the District will immediately enroll the homeless student in the school in which enrollment is sought pending final resolution of the dispute, including all appeals. The student will receive all services for which they are eligible until all disputes and appeals are resolved. If you would like to dispute a decision, please contact Tiffany Sponholz, homeless liaison for further information.