Homeless Liaison

Housing Insecurity Fact Sheet
McKinney-Vento Children Who are they?

Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime abode are eligible for McKinney-Vento services. In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the street, cars, abandoned buildings, and other inadequate accommodations may be considered eligible for McKinney- Vento services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following groups:

Doubled-up Children: Living with another family due to lack of a permanent residence

Children in shelters: Including transitional living programs

Children living in motels: Due to lack of alternative adequate living situation

Migratory children: If accommodations are not fit for habitation

Runaways*: Children who are left home and live in a shelter or inadequate accommodations, even if parents are willing to provide a home

Lockouts*: Children whose parents or guardians will not permit them to live at home

*These two categories are unaccompanied homeless youth. These children are not in the physical custody of their parents or court-ordered guardians and lack a fixed, regular, and adequate abode.

McKinney-Vento Children
What are their rights?

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, which is part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ensures that eligible children have the following rights:

Choice of school: Children eligible for McKinney-Vento services may attend their school of origin (school last attended or school attended when child lost permanent housing) or attend the school that serves their temporary living situation (choice of caregiver)

Immediate enrollment: Even if medical or other records, birth certificates, or transcripts cannot be produced at time of enrollment

Transportation: Transportation must be provided, if requested

Preschool: Priority consideration to preschool programs for eligible youngsters

Free lunch & fee waivers: Categorically eligible for free lunch

Supplemental tutoring: If needed

If you think you might qualify for McKinney-Vento services,

please contact your school McKinney-Vento liaison. Christina Bergin, District Liaison

Email Christina Bergin

You also can contact your regional McKinney-Vento liaison for more information. Deb Foust, ROE 47 Liaison

Email Deb Foust

Illinois State Board of Education