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McKinney-Vento Documents/Student Homelessness

Students Experiencing Homelessness (McKinney-Vento Act)

Educational Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provides educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

A child or youth may qualify for services under McKinney-Vento if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This may include children and youth who are:

  • Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds because alternative adequate housing is unavailable;
  • Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
  • Living in any other temporary or inadequate housing situation;
  • Youth who are not living with a parent or legal guardian and lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

Eligible students have the right to:

  • Immediate enrollment in school, even if required documents are unavailable;
  • Attend either their school of origin or the local attendance school, when determined to be in the student's best interest;
  • Receive transportation assistance, when eligible;
  • Participate fully in school programs and activities;
  • Receive support in accessing educational services for which they qualify;
  • Receive assistance in resolving enrollment or school selection disputes.

If you believe your child may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Act, please contact the district's McKinney-Vento Liaison.

District McKinney-Vento Liaison

Name: Mr. Alex Prindable
Title: Assistant Principal / McKinney-Vento Liaison
Phone: 618-622-9647 Extension 5280
Email: prindablea@oths.us

The McKinney-Vento Liaison can help families and students with enrollment, school stability, transportation questions, access to services, and information about educational rights.

How to Request Assistance

Parents, guardians, students, school staff, or community members who believe a student may qualify for McKinney-Vento services are encouraged to contact the district liaison directly.

For additional information regarding the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness, visit the Illinois State Board of Education's McKinney-Vento webpage.

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