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Supports for Families of Students Experiencing Homelessness
Cuyahoga Falls City School District is committed to supporting all students and families, including those who may be experiencing housing instability. The District, in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act, works to ensure that all children and youth, including preschoolers, have equal access to the same free and appropriate public education as non-homeless children and youth.
Homelessness Defined
Homelessness Defined
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, the terms "homeless children and youths" means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes:
Individuals who have lost their own home, suffering a financial hardship or similar reason;
Individuals who are sharing the housing of others;
Individuals who are living in hotels or motels or in campgrounds or trailer parks that are not viewed as year-round homes because they do not have accommodations, such as heat or running water;
Individuals who are living in emergency shelters or who have been abandoned in hospitals; and
Individuals who are living in cars, parks or public spaces.
What rights are provided under the McKinney-Vento Act?
What rights are provided under the McKinney-Vento Act?
K-12 students have the right to:
Receive a free, appropriate public education
Enroll in school immediately, even if they lack documents normally required for enrollment
Enroll in the local school or continue in their school of origin (if the school district feels the school you select is not in the best interest of the student, they will provide you with a written explanation and inform you of your right to appeal their decision)
Receive transportation to their school of origin, if requested
Receive educational services comparable to other students
Receive free lunch if the school participates in the School Nutrition Program
The District has a variety of resources to assist families experiencing homelessness. If your family is experiencing a situation that qualifies you under the McKinney-Vento Act please contact Holly Merkle, the District Homeless Liaison, at 330-926-3800 ext. 502103 or cf_merkleh@cftigers.org.
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