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The School District of Reedsburg provides services for homeless students in accordance with the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
What is the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act?
McKinney Vento is a federal law, a part of the No Child Left Behind legislation, that protects public school students identified as homeless. This law protects eligible students from discrimination and seeks to eliminate barriers to a student's education. It is estimated that students who change school districts are set back 4 to 6 months academically. This law seeks to provide a stable and consistent education for these students.
Who is eligible under this law?
Students living in a temporary or inadequate living situation due to a loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason. Temporary or inadequate living situations may include:
- Living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, campground, on the street or in an abandoned building
- Sharing housing with family or friends (often called "doubling up"), often staying with one family then moving in with another. Living with a family on a long-term basis does not apply.
- A child awaiting foster care placement (typically 30 days or less)
- Other living situations that are not fixed, regular or adequate for nighttime residence
What services are available under McKinney Vento?
- Immediate school enrollment
- Free lunches for the duration of the school year
- School choice, meaning that the student may attend the local school or school of origin if it is in his or her best interest
- Transportation to and from the student's school of origin (with available resources)
- School fee waivers
- School supplies
Unaccompanied Youth
An unaccompanied youth is a youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and is also identified as homeless according to the criteria above. These youth may not be in the custody of a parent or guardian for a variety of reasons. Some youth run away from home, have been abandoned by parents or may have been thrown out of their home because they are pregnant, gay or lesbian. Many of these youth may have been experiencing physical or sexual abuse at home or drug and alcohol use by parents.
Unaccompanied youth have the same rights as those listed above for homeless students. Unaccompanied youth may enroll in school without a parent or guardian.
More Information
If you have questions or think you or someone you know may qualify for these services, please contact Erica Lehr-Reuber, homeless liaison, School District of Reedsburg, at (608) 524-2016, Ext. 2021, or email elehr@rsd.k12.wi.us.
For more detailed information on the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act and related services, visit these websites:
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