Serving Homeless Children and Youth

 

McKinney Vento Act

All schools and districts receiving federal funds must ensure that services are provided to children and youth who are experiencing homelessness.

Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which was reauthorized under the No Child Left Behind Act, the term “homeless children and youth” refers to students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence.

 

The federal McKinney Vento Act and West Virginia state law and policy guarantee that you can enroll in school if you live:

 

In a shelter (family shelter, domestic violence shelter, youth shelter or transitional living program)	In a motel, hotel, or weekly rate housing
In a house or apartment with one or more family because of economic hardship or loss	In an abandoned building, car, at a campground, on the street
With friends or family because you are a runaway or unaccompanied youth	In substandard housing (no electricity, no water, and/or heat)

 

 

Contact the school district liaison, Peery Blankenship perry.blankeship@k12.wv.us  or call 304-436-8441 Ext 240  for help in enrolling in a new school or arranging to continue in the school you have been attending. Contact the new school and provide any information necessary to assist the teachers in helping you adjust to the new circumstances. Ask the school district liaison – Perry Blankenship or Amanda Fragile Peyton at the Board Office, shelter staff, school administrator, or a school social worker for assistance with clothing and supplies, if needed.

You may also: Continue to attend the school in which you were last enrolled, even if you have moved away from that school’s attendance zone or district; Receive transportation from the current residence back to the school of origin; Participate fully in all school activities and programs for which you are eligible; and Contact the district liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process.