Homeless Assistance
From the Office of Federal Programs
From the Office of Federal Programs
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. The law ensures that students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence can continue their education without interruption.
The McKinney-Vento Act recognizes the significant challenges faced by students experiencing homelessness and works to reduce educational disruptions by promoting stability, access, and equal opportunity in school.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, “homeless children and youth” may include students who:
Share housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons (“doubled-up”)
Live in hotels or motels
Stay in emergency or transitional shelters
Sleep in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or other places not meant for regular sleeping accommodations
If your family is experiencing any of these situations, your child may be eligible for support.
https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Students-Rights.pdf
Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, eligible students have the right to:
Immediate enrollment in school, even without normally required documents
Remain in their school of origin, when it is in the student’s best interest
Transportation to and from the school of origin, when appropriate
Access to free meals and other educational programs
Participation in all school programs and extracurricular activities
Assistance from the district’s McKinney-Vento Liaison
SCH recognizes the challenges students experiencing homelessness may face and provides services in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Our goal is to reduce educational barriers by promoting school stability, access to services, and equal opportunities for every eligible student.
If you believe your child may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please contact the district’s McKinney-Vento Liaison.
District McKinney-Vento Liaison
Kelly Patterson
219-933-2400 ext 1061
kjpatterson@hammond.k12.in.us
State McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Charie Jones
317-232-0957
McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov