Before schools can be certain they are complying with legislation related to educating students experiencing homelessness, they must understand who can be considered homeless.  The McKinney-Vento Act (Section 725) defines "homeless children and youth" (school-age and younger) as:

• Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:

  • Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.

  • Living in emergency or transitional shelters.

  • Abandoned in hospitals.

  • Awaiting foster care placement.

• 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.

• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

• The term unaccompanied youth includes a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.  This would include runaways living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, on the streets, or in other inadequate housing; children and youth denied housing by their families (sometimes referred to "throwaway children and youth"); and school-age unwed mothers living in homes for unwed mothers because they have no other housing available.

In determining whether or not a child or youth is homeless, consider the relative permanence of the living arrangements.  Determinations of homelessness should be made on a case-by-case basis.

CUSD #20 HOMELESS LIAISON

Every Local Education Agency (LEA) is required by law to designate a local liaison for children and youth experiencing homelessness. CUSD #20 has a Homeless Liaison who serves as one of the primary contacts between homeless families and school staff along with other service providers. The liaison works to make sure that homeless children and youth enroll in school and have the opportunity to succeed academically. The liaison ensures that students' rights are protected and that the district fulfills its responsibilities under the McKinney-Vento Act. Please contact the Homeless Liaison for more information on services provided by CUSD #20:

Local Homeless Liaison:  Mr. Doug Daugherty (618) 943-2326

RESOURCES

Illinois State Board of Education McKinney - Vento Information

McKinney Vento School Code

National Association for the Education of Homeless and Youth

Foster Care and McKinney-Vento