Homeless Assistance

Who to contact

If you have a student who may qualify for McKinney-Vento services, or if you need more information, please contact email Terese High, McKinney-Vento Coordinator or call 253-583-5154.

 

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was authorized by Congress in December 2001, as part of the No Child Left Behind Legislation. The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act is to remove barriers to education for homeless/transitional students and provide educational stability.

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students have the right to remain in attendance at the school they were going to when they were last permanently housed. This is known as their "school of origin." Clover Park School District will do everything possible to ensure that students have the ability to remain in their school of origin, and to succeed academically. The district will provide transportation assistance and free meals for all eligible homeless students. Tutoring and other academic assistance, including school supplies and clothing, are also available.

McKinney-Vento Act of 1986

Who is considered McKinney–Vento eligible?

Any child or youth who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless, including those who are temporarily sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship. This includes children and youth who are living in hotels; camping grounds; emergency shelters; cars; bus or train stations, or other similar settings; unaccompanied youth; transitional housing programs and children in foster or temporary placements. If you are not sure if a child qualifies, call 253-583-5154.

What are the educational rights of homeless children and youth?

Clover Park schools provide equal and comparable access to all students regardless of their home living situation. McKinney-Vento eligible children and youth have specific rights, including the right to:

  • Maintain attendance at the school of origin (if this is in the child's best interest), or enroll in the local school where currently residing;
  • Receive assistance with transportation;
  • Become eligible for free meals;
  • Receive assistance obtaining needed records and documentation;
  • Receive support services and programs for which they are eligible, such as gifted education, children with disabilities, vocational education, and preschool;
  • Receive academic assistance through the district's federally funded Title I program;
  • Have parent or guardian involvement in school activities; and
  • Maintain enrollment in the current school for the remainder of the school year (with transportation assistance, if needed).

If you have a student/child who may qualify for McKinney-Vento services or would like more information, please contact Marilyn Roberts, McKinney-Vento Coordinator at 253-583-5154 or email Terese High.

 

Resources

Links

Access Point 4 Housing
253-682-3401

All households in need of homelessness prevention services, rapid re-housing, housing or shelter services, will be processed through this centralized intake and matched with the local organization best suited to the household's needs. Plus, Access Point 4 Housing will also offer homelessness prevention services, such as rent, utility and other assistance.

For more information on Access Point 4 Housing, click here.

REACH: Resources for Education and Career Help
253-682-3401

Housing for homeless youth aged 16-24. Please call Access Point 4 Housing at 253-682-3401, and ask for a referral to the “REACH” program. Housing 4 Success (H4S) is a new, wraparound service located at the REACH Center for unaccompanied youth & young adults who are experiencing homelessness and puts them in housing first as it then delivers relevant, intensive, life skills to help them get back on track to achieve stable housing and a personal path to self-sufficiency. For more information on this program, click on here, for their website.

Tacoma-Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness
Student Services Department
Early Childhood Education (PreSchool)
Special Education Department
Compensatory Programs Department
Title I, Part A Learning Assistance Program (LAP)
Highly Capable Program
OSPI Homeless Education Office
Dispute Resolution Process for the Enrollment of Homeless Children and Youths
Washington Alliance for Students Experiencing Homelessness
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
National Center for Homeless Education

 

Publications