A 17 year old student is living in an apartment with 2 other youth. The housing is adequate, and they have a lease signed by the student’s mother. The mother does not live there, but the property is owned by a family member. The mother and youth share the costs, although the mother is not financially stable. The student currently expresses that she doesn’t need anything. Is she McKinney-Vento eligible?

Mar 3, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: There are arguments on both sides, but it appears the student is not eligible. Based on the whole situation, it seems like this is a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. They have a valid lease agreement in the mother’s name, the rent is being...

A 19 year old student, currently experiencing homelessness, would like to enroll in a charter school. I was told that he has to wait for next school year to be entered in the lottery. Aren’t there any lottery exceptions for potential students who are homeless?

Mar 3, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: Yes, there are lottery exemptions for students experiencing homelessness.  There is information on this on pages 7-8 of our charter schools toolkit.  The McKinney-Vento Act requires LEAs to remove barriers and provide immediate enrollment even if the student...

Our school received a donation to help pay student fees. Is it appropriate to share McKinney-Vento students’ names with the bookkeeper to identify if those students have balances needing to be paid?

Mar 3, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: Ideally, it would be best if the bookkeeper could share with the liaison the list of students with outstanding fees, and the liaison could see if any McKinney-Vento students are on that list. Any student could miss a fee for any reason, so it may be less...

Is there a legal citation supporting transportation for students to exams, assessments, etc.? For example, we have a student is in our virtual learning model who needs to come to the school campus for an exam for ESL.

Mar 3, 2021 | Q and A

Answer: This falls under 42 USC §11432(g)(1)(I), which requires LEAs to “review and revise policies to remove barriers to the identification of homeless children and youths, and the enrollment and retention of homeless children and youths in schools in the...

What USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) rules are applicable as we return to school this year?

Oct 20, 2020 | Q and A

Answer: At the start of school closures in the spring, FNS waived the requirement to serve school meals in a congregate setting; allowed delivery of school meals; and waived meal time requirements. Parents and guardians also were permitted to pick up or receive meals...

Can an LEA deny a McKinney-Vento student enrollment in a learning model (distance vs. in-person vs. hybrid) if the LEA has reached capacity in the desired learning model? For example, a family was not able to make the enrollment choice by the LEA’s deadline due to homelessness, or a parent changes her mind after a few weeks.

Oct 20, 2020 | Q and A

Answer: There is specific language in the McKinney-Vento Act that addresses this question. First: “C) IMMEDIATE ENROLLMENT- (i) IN GENERAL.– The school selected in accordance with this paragraph shall immediately enroll the homeless child or youth, even if the...