| McKinney-Vento Act |
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Is My Family in Transition? - Definition of Homeless |
According to the federal McKinney-Vento Act reauthorized in 2002, a family is considered in transition (or homeless) if they and/or their children:
*Live temporarily in a hotel or motel and lack a permanent address due to limited finances
*Live doubled up with friends or relatives due to limited finances
*Have a child who lives with friends or relatives apart from parents due to limited finances
*Live in a homeless, runaway, or domestic violence shelter
*Live in a campground, car, abandoned building, or space not ordinarily used to house human beings |
Families in Transition: Your Child's Rights |
Every child has a right to a free and appropriate public education. Florida Statute s.1003.21 requires that all children attend school regularly until they are 16 years old. Children in transition who fit the federal definition of homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Act (1987) have the right to:
*Immediate school enrollment and attendance, even without birth records, school records, immunizations, and/or health physicals (Florida Statute s.1003.22)
*Remain at their school of origin or a school a parent chooses, to the extent possible
*Transportation to and from school
*Help for prompt resolutions about school placement including special education, bilingual education, gifted, and remedial programs
*Receive free breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year |
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What Other Support Services Can My Child Receive? |
In addition to school services that are required under your child's rights, he or she also is eligible to receive:
*Free school supplies and backpacks
*Emergency clothing and/or school uniforms, when possible
*Free tutorial services at select sites
*Free educational materials and literacy resources
*Transportation assistance (bus passes and gas cards)
*Referrals to community health and social service providers
*Waiver of school related fees, when possible
*Pre-K information and referrals |
Legal Briefs |
For more information on the McKinney-Vento Act please see the following web pages.
*McKinney-Vento Issue Briefs (National Center For Homeless Education )
*The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
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