McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Support
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures students experiencing homelessness can enroll, attend, and succeed in school by providing specific rights and support services. This includes the right to immediate enrollment in school, to stay in their "school of origin," and to receive transportation and comparable services to housed students. A student is considered homeless under the Act if they are sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, living in a car or public space, staying in a shelter, or living in a motel, trailer park, or campground due to lack of an alternative.
Dunlap Community Unit School District #323 is committed to ensuring that all students experiencing homelessness receive the educational support and services they deserve. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, we provide immediate enrollment, transportation, and educational stability for children and youth in such temporary living situations.
Who Qualifies? Students are considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including those who are:
- Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds
- Staying in emergency or transitional shelters
- Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, or other places not designed for human habitation
- Unaccompanied youth without permanent housing
Contact Information: For assistance or questions about McKinney-Vento services, please contact our McKinney-Vento Liaison:
Mandy Ellis
[email protected]
Additional Resources for Families:
- Illinois State Board of Education: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Homeless.aspx
- National Center for Homeless Education: 800-308-2145
- National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth: 512-475-8765
- National Coalition for the Homeless: 202-737-6444 ext. 18
- National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty: 202-638-2535
- National Network for Youth: 202-783-7949
- Homeless Youth Handbook: https://www.homelessyouth.org/en/us/illinois
We are here to help ensure every student has access to a quality education, regardless of their housing situation.