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McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

 

The McKinney-Vento Act covers children and youth who don’t have a fixed, adequate and regular nighttime residence, including living… 

  • in a shelter 
  • in a motel, hotel, or campground; 
  • In a car, bus, or train station, an abandoned building, or some other inadequate accommodations; or 
  • with other people due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons (also known as doubled up). 
 
This includes migrant and unaccompanied youth living in any of the above situations. 
 
For Assistance, contact the HWRSD Homeless Liaison: Stacy Bucyk, s.bucyk@hwschools.net or 978-468-5303
 

Learn More HERE

Unaccompanied Youth 

Youths who are out of the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian and lack of fixed, regular, and adequate housing have all the rights of other homeless students. 

Homeless Preschoolers 

Preschool children living in homeless situations have the same rights as other homeless children and youth. 

 

All school-aged children in Massachusetts can attend public school for free. 

Students experiencing housing instability or homelessness can: 

  • Continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is their family’s preference and is feasible. At their family’s request, they can receive transportation to and from the school of origin. 
  • Or, enroll in the local school immediately and attend classes -even if the student lacks the typically required documents - while the school gathers needed documents. Transportation would be provided in the same manner as it is for other children in the district. 
  • Receive educational services according to your child's needs. 
  • Appeal district enrollment decisions. 
  • Access special education services if the student has a current Individualized Education Program (IEP). 
  • Participate in any school activity that is available to other students. 
  • Receive free school meals. 

HWRSD Homeless Liaison:

Stacy Bucyk
978-468-5303

Services 

Homeless students are to be provided services and education programs comparable to those received by other students and for which they meet eligibility criteria, such as: 

  • Title 1 services and programming; 
  • programs for students with disabilities; 
  • programs for students learning English; 
  • vocational or technical programs; 
  • gifted and talented programs, and 
  • school nutrition programs.