Homeless Student Services and Support
The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act provides certain rights and protections for families experiencing homelessness. According to McKinney-Vento, anyone who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is homeless.
Homelessness includes anyone:
- Living in an emergency shelter
- Abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, bus or train stations or similar settings
- "Doubled up" living with friends or family due to the loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
- "Unaccompanied youth", under the age of 18, living without a parent or guardian
- Migratory children living in these conditions
Homeless Student Rights
- Immediate enrollment, even if lacking paperwork
- Transportation to and from school of origin
- Free breakfast and lunch programs
- After school tutoring with free transportation to those schools offering the services
- Public posting of rights
- School selection (School of origin/local school)
- Comparable services
- Prohibition of segregation
- Social referrals
Resources
Informational Brochure: If Homelessness Happens to You...
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Homeless Information
Contact
For further information, to make referrals or for questions regarding services for families experiencing homelessness, please call: Mrs. Renee Cookstrom - PEASD Homeless Liason (262) 495-7101 ext. 2205.
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