The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of students in temporary housing.

The McKinney-Vento Act covers children and youth who don't have a fixed, adequate and regular nighttime residence, such as those living:

• in an emergency or transitional shelter;
• with friends or relatives due to loss of housing or economic hardship;
• in a motel, hotel or campground;
• in a car, bus or train station or other public place;
• in an abandoned building or some other inadequate accommodations
  

Students in temporary housing have the right to:

• immediately enroll in school and attend classes;
• get free transportation to the school district of choice;
• get special education services immediately if the student has a current IEP (even if the IEP itself is not available or if it is from another district); and
• get free meals without filling out an application.

We encourage our parents to become familiar with the types of assistance that are provided by the school district through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. After reviewing the details within the informational brochure our parents will have the information they need to support their decisions.

How does the Patchogue-Medford support the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act?

The Patchogue-Medford School District supports the educational progress of our homeless children through the implementation of The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. To ensure that our families receive the supports that are available as defined by the Act, our homeless liaison and administrative team is responsible for:

• Facilitating the immediate identification of homeless students.
• Ensuring that homeless students are immediately enrolled in school.
• Arranging for school transportation.
• Providing assistance with the securing of clothing, if necessary through the use of our Family Center.
• Providing students and unaccompanied youths with school supplies, if necessary.
• Providing families and unaccompanied youths with the support that may be necessary with securing required documentation such as birth certificates, immunization records, medical records and school transcripts.
• Referring homeless children, youths, unaccompanied youths and families to medical, dental and other health services.
• Providing counseling and support services as needed.
• Resolving any disputes between the school, the families and unaccompanied youths.

Additional Information and Links

Information on the State’s efforts to support homeless families and youths http://www.nysteachs.org

Title 1 and Homeless Students The McKinney Vento Law into practice http://www.serve.org/nche/downloads/briefs/titlei.pdf

Questions:

If you have any questions regarding The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act or how to access supports please contact: Margherita Proscia, Principal on Special Assignment, Office of Community Affairs, 631-687-6751 or mproscia@pmschools.org

Concerns and Disputes

If you have any concerns or would like to dispute the level of services you have received regarding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act please contact: Margherita Proscia, Principal on Special Assignment, Office of Community Affairs, 631-687-6751 or mproscia@pmschools.org

At that time if your problem is not resolved you will receive detailed information on how to file a dispute with the State.

Students in Foster Care

ESSA includes amendments to Title I, Part A designed to complement and enhance the school stability provisions for children in foster care, ensuring that:

1. A child or youth in foster care is enrolled or remains in his/her school of origin, unless a determination is made that it is not in his/her best interest.

2. When a determination is made that it is not in a child’s best interest to remain in the school of origin, the child will be immediately enrolled in a new school even if the child is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment.

3. The enrolling school will immediately contact the school last attended by a youth in foster care to obtain relevant academic and other records.

4. A student in foster care who enrolls in the District will receive transportation to the school of origin, if appropriate, in a timely manner.

The District will work with (LDSS) to maintain the child in his/her school of origin when in his/her best interest for the duration of the time in foster care.

If there are additional costs incurred in providing transportation to the school of origin, the District will work with the local department of social services for the purpose of reimbursement of costs.

The District’s foster care point of contact is: Margherita Proscia, Principal on Special Assignment, Office of Community Affairs, 631-687-6751 or mproscia@pmschools.org