McKinney-Vento
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that works to ensure educational stability for homeless youth. The McKinney-Vento act allows homeless students to enroll in school and receive transportation without delay.
Urbana School District 116 is committed to educating students who meet the guidelines under McKinney-Vento. If you have questions or need assistance regarding homelessness, please contact one of the District’s Homeless Liaisons:
- Dionne Webster: dwebster@usd116.org | (217) 384-3565
- Jeniece Mitchell: jdmitchell@usd116.org | (217) 531-7112
The McKinney-Vento Act requires:
- Homeless students who move have the right to remain in their schools of origin (i.e., the school the student attended when permanently housed or in which the student was last enrolled, (which includes preschools) if that is in the student’s best interest;
- If it is in the student’s best interest to change schools, homeless students must be immediately enrolled in a new school, even if they do not have the records normally required for enrollment;
- Transportation must be provided to or from a student’s school of origin, at the request of a parent, guardian, or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the local liaison;
- Homeless students must have access to all programs and services for which they are eligible, including special education services, preschool, school nutrition programs, language assistance for English learners, career and technical education, gifted and talented programs, magnet schools, charter schools, summer learning, online learning, and before and after-school care;
- Unaccompanied youths must be accorded specific protections, including immediate enrollment in school without proof of guardianship;
- Parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youths have the right to dispute an eligibility, school selection, or enrollment decision. To file a dispute, visit the Regional Office of Education 9 website
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The term “homeless children and youths” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes:
- Children and youths who are sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals
- Children and youths 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 youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings
- Migratory children who live in one of the above circumstances
- Children living in shelters
- Children waiting for foster placement
- Migratory Children who have night time accommodations that are not fit for habitation
- Unaccompanied youth who are not in physical custody of a parent or guardian
- Children who are denied housing by a parent or guardian
- Children or youth who are sharing a residence with another family
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Under the McKinney-Vento Act, State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) must review and revise policies and procedures to remove barriers to a high-quality education for homeless children and youths. Every SEA must have an Office of the State Coordinator to oversee implementation of the Act, and every LEA must designate a local liaison able to carry out their duties to ensure that homeless students are identified and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.
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Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office provides general assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance, food support, homeless services, transportation assistance, advocacy, and support for social service partners serving Urbana residents. Visit their website: Cunningham Township Supervisor’s Office or call: 217-384-4144
Resources
If you have questions about any of the below resources, please contact the Urbana School District Familiy Liaison, Dr. Jeniece Nance by email: jdmitchell@usd116.org
Need a place to live? Contact your school social worker or family liaison for assistance with:
- Complete McKinney Vento form
- Ask for a Cunningham Township Bridge to Home referral
Other options include:
- Regional Planning Commission
- Housing Authority
- Local Churches
- Empty Tomb
- Salvation Army
If you need help with food, clothing or hygiene supplies, USD116 families can visit the following:
- Mrs. Mitchell’s Closet or Homeless Help Hub
- Soup Kitchens and Little Free Food Pantries
- Tiger Market or Migrant Closet
- Salt and Light and Good Will
- Empty Tomb or Twice is Nice
- School Nurse – Request a health are referral
- School Counselor – Request a therapy referral
- Promies Health Care
- CU Publich Health
- OSF Urgent Care
- Christie Clinic or Carle
If your student needs a ride to and from school, please ask your school social worker or family liaison about these services:
- First Student (Yellow Bus)
- C-U MTD
- The Homeless Bus
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Need a place to live? Contact your school social worker or family liaison for assistance with:
- Complete McKinney Vento form
- Ask for a Cunningham Township Bridge to Home referral
Other options include:
- Regional Planning Commission
- Housing Authority
- Local Churches
- Empty Tomb
- Salvation Army
-
If you need help with food, clothing or hygiene supplies, USD116 families can visit the following:
- Mrs. Mitchell’s Closet or Homeless Help Hub
- Soup Kitchens and Little Free Food Pantries
- Tiger Market or Migrant Closet
- Salt and Light and Good Will
- Empty Tomb or Twice is Nice
-
- School Nurse – Request a health are referral
- School Counselor – Request a therapy referral
- Promies Health Care
- CU Publich Health
- OSF Urgent Care
- Christie Clinic or Carle
-
If your student needs a ride to and from school, please ask your school social worker or family liaison about these services:
- First Student (Yellow Bus)
- C-U MTD
- The Homeless Bus