Skip To Main Content

Homeless Services McKinney-Vento

McKinney Vento

McKinney-Vento eligible children are those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime abode. In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the street, cars, abandoned buildings, and other inadequate accommodation 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 have 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 (UHY), children not in the physical custody of their parents or court-ordered guardian and lack a fixed, regular, and adequate abode. 

What Are Their Rights?

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ensures eligible children have the right to:

  • Choice of School: McKinney-Vento Eligible children may attend their school of origin (school last attended or school attended when the child lost permanent housing) or attend the school that serves their temporary living situation. Their Caregiver makes the choice.
  • Immediate Enrollment: even if medical or other records, birth certificates, transcripts, cannot be produced at the time of enrollment.
  • Transportation: if requested, transportation must be provided.
  • Preschool: priority consideration for preschool programs for eligible youngsters.
  • Free Lunch & Fee Waivers: categorically eligible for free lunch. 
  • Supplemental Tutoring: if needed. 

Español

Mckinney Vento liaison, Dr. Jake Chung, Assistant Superintendent of Human Services. 

For more information, contact your local Regional McKinney-Vento liaison. District 63 is part of the North Cook Intermediate Service Center. 

Disputes are handled by Dr. Jake Chung, District 63 McKinney Vento liaison.