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...

We have an unaccompanied homeless youth staying with us. We are trying to help him enroll in community college. The college said that he should fill out the FAFSA and ask his mother to fill out her portion. If she refuses, they will set up an interview to assess if he qualifies as homeless. Is this right?

Jul 1, 2020 | Q and A

Answer: No. The student should not ask his mother to complete the FAFSA.  He qualifies as an unaccompanied homeless youth and is independent for the FAFSA. If he cannot produce verification from a liaison or shelter, then the financial aid administrator (FAA) at his...

My transportation director is trying to put a mileage limit on how far we transport our McKinney Vento students. Does the McKinney-Vento Act permit a blanket mileage limit for school of origin transportation?

Jul 1, 2020 | Q and A

Answer: No it does not. The McKinney-Vento Act requires LEAs to provide transportation to the school of origin at the request of a parent or guardian or, for unaccompanied youth, at the McKinney-Vento liaison’s request. 42 USC 11432(g)(1)(J)(iii). Transportation...