What is the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness? 

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. 

This includes students who are:

• Living in emergency or transitional shelters;

• Sharing the housing of other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship;

• Living in motels, hotels or camping grounds due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation;

• Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, or similar settings.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth may also be eligible for protection under MCKV

An unaccompanied homeless youth is an individual that is:

1.  living in a situation that meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness 

2.  NOT in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

3. No age limit 

4. No citizenship requirement ( reference Plyer vs. Doe)

How can McKinney-Vento funds be used to assist students?

• Tutors or other academic support.

• Basic school supplies.

• Transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities.

• Free/reduced breakfast and lunch during school days 

• Compensation for mileage for parents transporting students to and from school

• Specialized training and professional development for teachers and other school staffers.

Parent and Student Rights under McKinney-Vento:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education for their children 

• Have them be enrolled 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 their 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.

• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs.

Resources & Helpful Links 

• RICAN: Rhode Island Center Assisting those in Need- Local food pantry to assist families in addressing food insecurity and offering various year round programs. 

805 Alton Carolina Road, Charlestown, RI 02813

401-364-9412

• Warm Shelter (Westerly RI)- The WARM Center is a comprehensive social services agency providing professional and compassionate wraparound programming for those in need in southern Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut.

(401) 596-WARM

info@warmshelter.org 

56 Spruce St, Westerly, RI 02891

• Johnny Cake Center-The mission of the Jonnycake Center is to provide a continuum of services in cooperation with other agencies in our service area to assist people through crisis situations & work with each individual to find a path out of dependency toward self-sufficiency.

Westerly: 401.377.8069/ 23 Industrial Drive Westerly, RI 02891

*Peacedale: TBD at new location

• NCHE: National Center for Homeless Education-  The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) offers assistance with issues related to the education of children or youth experiencing homelessness. 

• US Department of Housing and Urban Development- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Find Shelter tool provides information about housing, shelter, health care, and clothing resources in local communities across the country. 

To better understand how to determine if you or someone you know may be experiencing homelessness, please visit the resources and contact our

Chariho McKinney-Vento Liaisons:

Lisa S. Smith Ph.D- School Psychologist 

lisa.smith@chariho.k12.ri.us

       401-539-2441

John Haas- Guidance Counselor

John.haas@chariho.k12.ri.us

401-315-2840 ext. 2221