Skip To Main Content

Student Services

Home - McKinney-Vento Information

McKinney-Vento Program Coordinator is Mrs. Danielle Azcona.

dazcona@griffith.k12.in.us  219-922-5941

The challenge of providing an education for homeless students is growing. Over 1.35 million children experience homelessness each year in the United States; in Indiana over 29,000 children experience homelessness each year. People who do not have their own home are highly mobile, moving as many as 12 times as often as their permanently housed peers. In addition, domestic violence touches as many as 63% of homeless parents. The instability that homeless children experience as they move frequently between the homes of family or friends and shelters makes it difficult for children and youth to have a place to do homework or even attend school at all. To further complicate things, students can have a difficult time enrolling in school due to a lack of records such as immunization or birth records, school transcripts, or a lack of a permanent address. Children who experience delays or absences often fall behind quickly, making their education more challenging.

After receiving reports that up to 50% of homeless children were not attending school, Congress established the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The McKinney-Vento Act was created with the goal of ensuring the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth in school. It provides states with funding to help remove barriers to education.

Children and youth experiencing homelessness find shelter in a variety of places. To help educators identify homeless children, the Act defines who is considered homeless. According to the U.S. Department of Education, people living in the following situations are considered homeless:

·        Doubled up with family or friends due to economic conditions

·        Living in motels and hotels for lack of other suitable housing

·        Runaway and "Throwaway" children and youth

·        Homes for unwed or expectant mothers for lack of a place to live

·        Homeless and domestic violence shelters

·        Transitional housing programs

·        The streets

·        Abandoned buildings

·        Public places not meant for housing

·        Cars, trailers, and campgrounds

·        Awaiting fostercare

·        Migratory children staying in housing not fit for habitation

McKinney-Vento Homeless Form for Families

Emergency Shelters in Lake County and Indiana 

Homeless Flyer-Parents 

Homeless Flyer - Spanish  

IDOE's McKinney-Vento: Homeless Children & Youth Program

 

Homeless students' rights

 

IDOE state coordinators’ contact information: Flora Jones, Director of Student Pathways & Opportunities and Charie Gibson, Homeless Education Specialist, 317-232-0957, McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov

Family Engagement and Service Plan

I.   Introduction

~Overview Of McKinney-Vento Act and its purpose is located on school website.

~All school staff receive training on MV through our GCN program and other resources.

II.  Identification and Outreach

~All staff are trained each school year.  The liaison is the POC if a staff member believes that a student may be suffering from homelessness.

~Private meetings with liaison and family are held for sensitivity and confidentiality. considerations

~Frequent opportunities for food, hygiene products, school supplies, and other resources are sent out to all family’s district-wide

~Supports and resources identified on school website.

~Collaboration with district social worker, area food banks, GEMINUS, and women and men shelters in the area

III.  Enrollment Procedures

~Streamlined enrollment process

~Immediate access to educational services and programs

~Waivers for documentation requirements

IV:  Educational Supports and Services

~Academic assessment and placement based on individual needs

~Access to school supplies, textbooks, and transportation

~Individual Education Plans (IEPS) or 504 plans put in place as appropriate

V.  Social Emotional

~Counseling services and referrals to mental health professionals

~peer support groups and mentorship opportunities

~Trauma informed and sensitivity training for all staff

VI.  Family Engagement

~Establishing positive relationships with parents

~Providing resources and information on community services

~Conducting regular meetings to discuss student needs and progress

VII.  Housing Stability and Basic Needs

~Referrals to housing assistance programs and shelters

~Assistance with accessing healthcare, food, and other essential services

~Collaboration with local agencies for long-term stability planning

VII.  School-Community Partnerships

Coordination with local organizations, businesses, and faith-based groups

~Leveraging community resources to support homeless students and families

~Hosting awareness campaigns and fundraising events

IX.  Monitoring and Evaluation

~Data collection and analysis to track student outcomes

~Regular review and assessment of the effectiveness of the service plan

~Continuous improvement based on feedback and best practices

X.  Staff training and Professional Development

~Training sessions on McKinney-Vento Act regulations and guidelines

~Promoting a culture of empathy and inclusivity among school staff

XI.  Budget and Resource Allocation

~Allocation of funds for specific services and supports

~Leveraging grandstand partnerships to enhance resources

~Ensuring equitable distribution of resources across schools and districts

XII.  Legal Compliance and Reporting

~Compliance with McKinney-Vento Act reporting requirements

~Documentation of services provided and outcomes achieved

~Advocacy for policy changes and increased support at local and state levels