What Is McKinney-Vento? 

McKinney Vento is a federal law to ensure that students whose  housing situations are impacting their education have a full and equal opportunity to  succeed in school. It requires public schools to identify, enroll, and serve these students. In accordance wiht state law and regulations RSU 13 strives to ensure that learners experiencing homelessness are identified and provided access to the same free and appropriate public education provided to all learners in the school system with access to the instructional programming that supports achievement of the content standards of Maine's system of Learning Results and to other services for which they are eligible.  Learners are not segregated into a separate school or program based on their status or stigmatized in any way.  (Watch this 2- minute video to learn more  more...) 

What kinds of McKinney-Vento services are provided by RSU 13 schools ?

When students become homeless, they can remain enrolled in the schools they have been attending, although they might no longer meet residency requirements. In addition, homeless students are guaranteed the transportation they need to attend school.  In cases where transportation to and from temporary housing in another district would be needed, RSU 13 works with the coordinating district and other involved parties, incuding families, to determine Best Interest Placement and provide continued transportation to an RSU 13 school if it is in the best interest of the student. McKinney-Vento also guarantees homeless students the right to enroll in a public school even if they lack the typically required documents and immunizations.  Related services also include referrals and other support needed to reduce barriers to school success due to homelessness. 

Who qualifies for McKinney-Vento services and supports?

Section 725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Act defines “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The term includes studnets pre-K through grade 12 who are:

• Sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship (Doubling up.)

• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds.

• Living in emergency or transitional housing.

• Abandoned in hospitals.

• Having a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations.

• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations.

• Migratory students who meet these descriptions. (Have a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from DOE) 

To inform us about your housing situation, you may print this form and turn it into your school. 

How do RSU 13 families or students access McKinney-Vento services and supports? 

All families receive a McKinney-Vento Screener form to fill out as part of back-to-school paperwork in the fall or when registering as a new student. Please take time to fill it out and return it to let us know if you are experiencing any of the housing issues bulleted above. This is confidential information use only for educational purposes and protected under FERPA. If your situation changes and you have new needs later in the year, please reach out the your school principal or have your school office connect you with the school counselor, social worker, or RSU 13 McKinney-Vento liaison. Once we are aware of your McKinney-Vento eligilibity, we'll work with you when needs arise to provide referrals, supports and/or transportation to help prevent disruption to your child's education.