Source: The New York State
Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS)
If you live in any of the
following situations...
In an emergency or
transitional shelter
In a motel, hotel,
trailer park, campground, abandoned in a hospital or awaiting
foster care
In a car, park, public
place, bus or train station or in an abandoned building
Doubled up with a
relative or friend
As a migratory child in
any of the above conditions
...you have rights and
protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
Assistance Act. You have the right to:
Attend school - no matter where you live or how long
you have lived there. You must be given immediate access to the
same public education provided to other students.
Continue in the school - you attended before you
became homeless or the school you last attended. You have a
choice.
Support in accessing education - via the district's
local Homeless Education Liaison: this Liaison is mandated to
explain to you the federal law that protects your education
rights while homeless as well as support and assist you in your
efforts in securing those rights.
Transportation - to school and school programs.
Attend and participate - in school programs with
students who are not homeless. Students cannot be separated from
their permanently-housed peers due to homelessness.
Enroll and attend immediately - a. while school arranges for
transfer of school immunization records or other required
documents; schools cannot require proof of residency that might
prevent or delay school enrollment. b. while enrollment dispute
is resolved.
For information and
assistance, please contact:
NYS-TEACHS
Kate Ventura/Director, (631) 232-4064, fax: (631) 232-4072,
e-mail,
kventura@esboces.org
New York State
Education Department/Education of Homeless Children & Youth
Shelia Evans-Tranumn/Coordinator, (718) 722-2796, Pat McGuirk/Program
Manager (518) 474-5283
National Center for
Homeless Education, (800) 308-2145
