Homeless and Foster Youth Support – McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Act (MKV) is a Federal Law that breaks down barriers for children and youth experiencing homelessness by providing immediate enrollment regardless of any missing (required) documents usually needed to enroll in school. It also ensures that children and youth under this act (MKV) have all the essentials to succeed in school.
The essentials offered by FUSD under this act (MKV), bus/Bart tickets, transportation, school supplies, backpack, Chromebooks, hotspots, shoes, sweaters, jackets, socks, and undergarments. Families can be referred to community partners for additional challenges they may be experiencing that are not directly addressed by FUSD.
Definition of homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act is as follows:Â
Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This definition also includes:
- Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
- Children and youth who may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, shelters
- Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings, or
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances listed above
FUSD Family Liaison working with Homeless and Foster Youth students & Families:
Melissa Espinoza
510-657-2350 Ext. 12378
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
RESOURCES
National & Community Organizations:
Fremont Family Resource Center
City of Fremont- Housing Resources
John Burton Advocates for Youth
National Center for Homeless Education
Elizabeth Tarango
510-670-7752
Leanne Wheeler
1-866-856-8214
Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.Â
Your eligible children have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education.
- Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
- Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
- Enroll in the local school or 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 your preference and is feasible.
- If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision. (See Dispute Resolution below)
- Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
- Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children's needs.
Dispute Resolution:
If a dispute arises over eligibility, school selection, or enrollment, then the child, youth, or unaccompanied youth must be immediately enrolled in the school they are seeking enrollment, pending the final decision of the dispute resolution.
For assistance in preparing the dispute including copying, mailing, or obtaining records contact the Family Liaison via email: mespinoza@fusdk12.net or by calling 510 567-2350 Ext. 12378.
To start the dispute process please complete the following form:
MKV Dispute Resolution Form (pdf)
If you believe your children may be eligible, contact the local liaison to find out what services and supports may be available. There also may be support available for your preschool-age children.