The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act ensures the educational rights and protections of homeless children and youth so that they may enroll in school, attend regularly, and be successful.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” Examples of children who fall under this definition include:

(a) Children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing;
(b) Children living in “motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative accommodations”
(c) Children living in "emergency or transitional shelters"
(d) Children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc.)
(e) Children living in “cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations…”

The McKinney-Vento Act guarantees homeless children and youth the following:

The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment
The right to attend school in his/her school of origin or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing
The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin
The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services
The right to an “equal playing field” and the removal of all barriers to receiving educational services
The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness. Segregation based on a student's status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
The posting of homeless students’ rights in all schools and other places around the community.

Lincoln-Way District 210 Homeless Liaison:

Every Local Education Agency (LEA) is required by law to designate a local liaison for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Homeless Liaisons serve as one of the primary contacts between homeless families and school staff along with other service providers. The liaisons work to make sure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed academically. The liaisons ensure that students’ rights are protected, and the district fulfills its responsibilities under the McKinney-Vento Act. Please contact the Homeless Liaison for more information on services provided by Lincoln-Way District 210:

Dr. Aimee Feehery (Director of Student Support Services)
815-462-2122

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Alternative Learning Opportunities Program (Educational Options)

English Learner (EL)

McKinney-Vento (Homeless)

Section 504

Social and Emotional Learning

Title IX

Wellness/Mental Health/Referral GPS