EDUCATING MISSOURI’S HOMELESS CHILDREN
The McKinney-Vento Act, part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, guarantees homeless children and youth an education equal to what they would receive if not homeless.
The term “homeless children and youth”—
A. means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence…; and
B. includes —
i. children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals;
ii. children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings…;
iii. children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
iv. migratory children…who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
The McKinney-Vento Act also recognizes unaccompanied youth who are homeless. According to the Act, an unaccompanied youth is a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian.
To report a possible homeless situation or obtain more information regarding homeless children and youth, please contact the student’s school counselor or the Homeless Coordinator, La Shun Rutledge, at 573-293-5335 x 230 or via email beairdl@bernie.k12.mo.us.
The Homeless Coordinator is responsible for:
*supporting the needs of the homeless student population
*ensuring the delivery of mandated services to facilitate the student’s attendance and access to appropriate education
*interpreting laws related to homeless students
*acts as a resources to school staff
This website is a great resource with links to the current State and local contacts for McKinney-Vento Determination and Eligibility as well as a multitude of resources available. NCHE operates the U.S. Department of Education's technical assistance and information center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program.
The Bernie R-XIII School District ensures that all students who qualify for McKinney Vento services will be able to participate in all regular education programming, including extracurricular activities (clubs, sports, and events). Fees will be waived by the district or funding will be provided by the district or other entities who have donated to the district for these purposes.
**The LEA Liaison for Homeless Services in Bernie School District is La Shun Rutledge, please contact 573-293-5335 x 230 or rutledgel@bernie.k12.mo.us if you need assistance.