Homelessness
Did you know that there is a law called the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act? This law ensures that students experiencing homelessness have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education provided to other Vermont children, with the opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic standards.
Challenges that children and youth experiencing homelessness may face are:
- Enrolling in school
- Attending school
- Succeeding in school
If you are experiencing the following situations, please reach out to SVSU Assistant Superintendent and Homeless Liaison Laura Boudreau at (802) 447-7501 or lboudreau@ svsu.org):
- Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing
- Staying at a motel, hotel, or campground
- Staying at a shelter
- Spending the night in a car or public space
- Are migratory and qualify as homeless because you are living in circumstances described in the above situations
Rights of Eligible Children and Youth
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act guarantees educational rights and supports for students experiencing homelessness. In general, McKinney-Vento eligible students have a right to:
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act guarantees educational rights and supports for students experiencing homelessness. In general, McKinney-Vento eligible students have a right to:
- Equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including public preschool education, as is provided to other children and youth
- Immediate enrollment, even when records normally required for enrollment are not present
- Remain in the school of origin, if it is in the student’s best interest, in order to maintain educational stability
- Access all educational and related services for which they are eligible, including Title I services and free school meals
- Full participation in school, which may include participation in extracurricular activities
- Transportation, provided by the LEA, to and from the school of origin
Parents/guardians of homeless students will be informed of opportunities to participate in educational decisions through the options listed below and determined through conversations with the parent/ guardian of the homeless student.
a. Meeting notices sent home from school to home
b. Electronic communication
c. Phone calls
a. Meeting notices sent home from school to home
b. Electronic communication
c. Phone calls