• Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act was signed by President Reagan and became law on July 22, 1987

• the Act required states to ensure that all children experiencing temporary housing have the same right to a free and appropriate public education as children not experiencing housing issues.

• In 1990 Congress expanded the state’s responsibility to eliminate all barriers to education

• In 1990 funding was made available through the McKinney grant to help provide and array of educational and support services responsive to the needs of students experiencing housing issues.

• All school districts are required to have someone on staff responsible for ensuring that students in temporary housing are able to attend school and eliminate barriers to their education

• It is currently named the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act

• Students who do not have a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence qualify for services

• Examples but not limited to:

• Shelters

• Motels/hotels

• Living with friends or relatives due to economic difficulty

• Living in a campground or campsite

• Unaccompanied Youth (young persons not in the care of an adult)

• All schools in the Rapid City School District have the McKinney-Vento Verification of Eligibility form

• Ask the school office staff for the form and complete it

• Return the form to school

• One of the McKinney-Vento staff will contact you to discuss your situation and decide if you qualify

• If you qualify support for your student will begin

• If it is determined that you do not qualify but you disagree contact the McKinney Vento Coordinator or the office of Federal Programs

–McKinney-Vento Coordinator 605-431-8414

–Federal Programs and Grants 605-394-6892

Services are dependant on the needs of each individual student

• All students are able to enroll and attend school immediately

• All students qualify for free lunch

• All students receive backpacks and school supplies

• Some students qualify for additional services that are necessary to eliminate barriers to school attendance and school success
  A few examples:
  –help with transportation
  –clothing voucher

• Many students and their families are referred to other agencies for additional services provided in the community

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act does not provide funding for:

• Housing

• Utilities

• Medical services

• Cell phones

• Storage rent

• Motel rent

The McKinney-Vento Coordinator is available on all days that school is in session 8 am to 4 pm.

The office is located in General Beadle school at 10 Van Buren

You may call the General Beadle office at 605-394-1841

or the cell phone for the Coordinator is 605-431-8414

Of course your school principal or counselor is also available if you prefer to discuss the situation with them first. 

• McKinney-Vento Form

• McKinney-Vento – The Law

• McKinney-Vento for Administrators