As initially authorized by federal law under the Stewart B. Mckinney Homeless Education Act, and later reauthorized under the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, there are several areas included in homeless education:
• Immediate, direct education services to homeless students, including early childhood.
• Educational and other supportive services to homeless students and their families.
• Education about homelessness and homeless students’ rights to all students, staff, and parents.
The educational definition of homelessness, under the Mckinney-Vento Act, is broader than the definition used by most other agencies.
It includes those who:
• Have no regular place to live.
• Are living in shelters or other temporary housing.
• Are living in places not generally appropriate for housing.
• Have received an eviction notice and have had to move from current housing.
All homeless children and youth must be admitted to school immediately or remain in their current school placement.
Placement in Kent County Public Schools is done through the local school. When a homeless family, child, or youth present themselves at a school or a shelter, the school guidance counselor and pupil personnel worker shall be notified immediately to expedite the school enrollment/placement process.
Every attempt is made to place homeless students in the school and program which is deemed, by the school and parent, to be in the child's best interest.
Children and youth who are considered homeless have these exceptions to usual school system procedures:
• Immunizations — Admission is required immediately, even if proof of all required immunizations is not available. The school nurse or administration helps to subsequently obtain documentation or provision of immunizations.
• Transportation — is provided from shelters or other living sites to the school that is considered to be in the best interest of the child.
To obtain additional information or support services for homeless students, contact the Student Services Department for Kent County Public Schools, 410-778-7138.
The required Homeless Student Residency Affidavit is available for download below.