McKinney-Vento

(Students Experiencing Homelessness)

Who is Homeless?

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homelessness as lacking a “fixed, regular, and adequate” nighttime residence. Students who have lost their housing due to economic hardship or disaster are covered under the MV Act.

Students are Homeless if they are:

  • Living in a shelter
  • Living unsheltered (in a park, car, tent, etc.)
  • Living in a motel
  • Living in a Transitional Housing program
  • Living doubled up with others
  • Awaiting a foster care placement
  • Unaccompanied homeless youth

What rights are provided under the McKinney-Vento Act?

 K-12 students have the right to:

  • Receive a free, appropriate public education
  • Enroll in school immediately, even if they lack documents normally required for enrollment
  • Enroll in the local school or continue in their school of origin (if the school district feels the school you select is not in the best interest of the student, they will provide you with a written explanation and inform you of your right to appeal their decision)
  • Receive transportation to their school of origin, if requested
  • Receive educational services comparable to other students
  • Receive free lunch if the school participates in the School Nutrition Program

 Pre K students who are identified as eligible are:

  • Enrolled even if lacking needed documents (if there is room in the program)
  • Referred to comparable programs including Head Start, GSRP, and local preschools

Examples of Our Services:

  • Technical Assistance
  • Identification, servicing, meeting state and federal requirements
  • Management of the M-V Grant Consortium
  • Regular grant and various American Rescue Plan allocations
  • Training and Collaboration
  • Quarterly M-V Collaboration Series - training and networking with M-V Liaisons for each district and MAISD Program Schools
  • Training Videos - Front office Staff, Administrators, Technical Documentation
  • ISD Program Schools
  • Completing MDE-required Self-Assessment of our MAISD Program Schools

What We Do:

  • Students and families experiencing homelessness have certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act
  • In 2020-2021, 757 students were identified as homeless in Muskegon County schools
  • The M-V requirements are complicated, and every homeless situation is different.  Because of this, every district must have a Homeless Liaison
  • The MAISD provides grant management, technical assistance, and collaboration opportunities for district homeless liaisons.  The MAISD also assists with dispute resolution.

Networks Supported: 

  • Muskegon County M-V Liaison Quarterly Meetings
     

Rights under M-V:

List of Muskegon County Liaisons:

Resources for Schools:

Contact Information:

Rachel Zaragoza
Special Populations Coordinator
Phone:  231-767-7336
Contact Rachel Zaragoza via email
 

 

Rachel Zaragoza
MAISD North
2317677336