**Note: As you read through these FAQ, please keep in mind that these answers are not legal advice, nor are they legally binding. They are simply brief answers and guidance for the most frequently asked questions about the program. If you need more information or assistance, please contact your local school district liaison (described in Section IV) or the state coordinator for the Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program at the Indiana Department of Education.**

I. HOMELESSNESS IN INDIANA

• How many homeless people are there in Indiana?

A recent report from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Family Resources stated that it is estimated that there are approximately 88,000 people, including adults, youth, and children, in the state of Indiana that are homeless.

• Why are people homeless?

People are homeless for a wide variety of reasons. Over the past few years, a growing number of people living in poverty, coupled with a growing lack of affordable housing, has contributed to the rate of homelessness in the U.S. Homelessness can also be caused by lack of affordable health care, because an illness can cause families already living in extreme poverty to lose their jobs, deplete their savings to pay for healthcare, and possibly lose their housing. Others who are homeless may have mental illnesses. Finally, many women and children who are homeless have been victims of domestic violence. Many homeless families and children may have experienced a combination of several or all of these factors which may lead to homelessness. Thus, causes of homelessness are often very complex and intertwined.

• Aren’t most homeless people adults?

Although adults still make up the majority of the homeless, an alarming number of families with children are becoming homeless. A National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty study estimated that nearly 1.3 million children were homeless in 2002. Research suggests that anywhere between 36%-40% of the homeless population is made up of families with children. A 1999 research study completed in Indiana indicated that at a given time, over 29,000 children in the state are homeless.

The majority of homeless children are young—the United States Department of Education (USDE) estimates that about 65% of homeless children are in grades PreK-6. In Indiana, statistics show that nearly 50% of the identified homeless children are in grades PreK-3.

• What are some challenges that homeless students face?

Because homeless families are often forced to be transient, over 55% of homeless children are forced to transfer schools. As reported by Ralph Nunez in his book, Homeless in America, homeless children who transfer are 35% more likely to have to repeat a grade and 78% more likely to have poor attendance than those who don’t transfer. Homeless children and youth often have attendance problems related to poor health, difficulty enrolling in school, lack of school connection, emotional difficulties, and trouble finding transportation, among other things.

• What are some unique challenges that unattached or unaccompanied youth face?

An unattached or unaccompanied youth is a youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. This definition would include youth living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, on the streets, or in other inadequate housing. The term also includes children and youth denied housing by their families (also known as “throwaway” children and youth) and school-age unwed mothers who are living in homes for unwed mothers because they cannot or are not allowed to live with their families or guardians and have no other available housing.

A 1995 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services report indicated that over 50% of unattached youth interviewed during shelter stays reported that their parents either told them to leave or knew they were leaving and did not care. A 1997 study by the same agency reported that 46% of runaway and homeless youth had been physically abused, and 17% had been sexually abused.

Homeless unaccompanied youth often face unique barriers to school enrollment and academic success. Problems may arise when these youth try to enroll in school because of school enrollment policies and legal guardianship requirements. Because these youth do not have a parent or guardian to represent them, they may be denied enrollment. In addition, these youth do not have an adult figure to advocate on their behalf or exercise parental rights; moreover, they may not be aware of their educational rights or may not know how to acquire this information.

II. MCKINNEY-VENTO OVERVIEW

• What is McKinney-Vento?

The McKinney-Vento Act was reauthorized as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. It was originally named the Stewart B. McKinney Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act, and was originally passed in 1987. The reauthorized Act of 2001 provides certain rights to homeless children and youths and their families. In addition, the Act confers certain responsibilities on State Education Agencies (such as the Indiana Department of Education) and on Local Educational Agencies (in Indiana, called school corporations). The Act also provides states with funding to help remove barriers to the education of homeless children and youths.

• What is the purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act?

The Act was established in 1987, after it was reported to Congress that up to 50% of homeless children were not enrolled in and attending school. The Act was created with the goal of ensuring the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth in school.

• How does the Act define homelessness?

According to U.S. Department of Education (USDE) guidance, people living in the following situations are considered homeless under McKinney-Vento: doubled-up with family or friends due to economic hardship; in motels or hotels due to lack of other suitable housing; in homes for unwed or expectant mothers because they have nowhere else to go; in homeless and/or domestic violence shelters; in transitional housing programs; on the streets; in abandoned buildings; in public places not meant for housing; in cars, trailers, and campgrounds; or awaiting foster care. Runaway and/or “throwaway” children and youth are also considered homeless under McKinney-Vento.

• The description above refers to people living “doubled-up”. What does that mean?

“Doubled-up” refers to people who are living with friends and relatives due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason. However, families who have chosen to move into adequate housing situations with friends or relatives for reasons of cultural preference or convenience are not covered by McKinney-Vento.

• Are migrant students considered homeless under McKinney-Vento?

Migrant students are considered homeless if they meet one or more of the definitions of homelessness under McKinney-Vento. However, migrant students should not be considered homeless simply because they are migrant.

• Are children in foster care considered homeless?

No. The McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness includes children who are awaiting foster care placement only. Once children have been placed in foster care, they are no longer considered homeless.

III. SCHOOL DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER MCKINNEY-VENTO

• What are the responsibilities of a school district, as required by McKinney-Vento?

Under McKinney-Vento, school districts must: appoint a McKinney-Vento liaison; identify homeless children and youths; implement a coordinated system for ensuring that homeless children and youths are advised of their rights, are immediately enrolled, and are provided necessary services, including transportation to and from the child’s school of origin, as well as special education, gifted and talented services, etc.; document that written notice of rights has been provided; prohibit schools from segregating homeless children; and identify and remove barriers that may cause difficulties in the educational success of homeless children and youths.

• The above answer refers to the rights of homeless students. What are the rights of homeless students?

McKinney-Vento gives students who meet the law’s definition of homelessness the right to: attend their school of origin OR the school nearest to where they are temporarily residing (decisions regarding school placement should be made in the best interest of the child); obtain a written statement of their rights when they enroll and at least two times per year; enroll immediately without school, medical, or similar records; get transportation to their school of origin; and be automatically eligible for Title I services, free lunch, and free textbooks, as well as any other comparable services offered to permanently housed students.

• How can a school district ensure that homeless families are aware of their rights under McKinney-Vento?

School districts are required by McKinney-Vento law to inform homeless parents and students of their rights, in writing, at the time of enrollment and at least twice a year; this must be signed by the parent, guardian, or unattached youth to show that they have received and understood the rights. In order to make sure that all families are aware of their rights (even those who may not have been identified as homeless), it is recommended that a statement of rights be provided to all students, perhaps as part of regular school mailings and/or handouts at the beginning of the school year. In addition, school districts may want to send out information regarding the rights of homeless families with newsletters or information packets that go out at other times of the year (to meet the “at least twice a year” provision).

The general rule to follow is that everything should be in writing. This means that not only must parents and students be informed of their basic rights under McKinney-Vento, but also that they should be informed, in writing, of the district’s dispute resolution process and the parent’s or unattached youth’s right to appeal.

In addition to providing written statements, districts can also ensure that homeless families (even those who may not yet have been identified) are aware of their rights by posting information in conspicuous places, distributing literature in the form of guidance, brochures, and manuals, and providing professional development for faculty and staff (especially support staff, such as administrative assistants, secretaries, transportation staff, and food service staff) regarding the rights of homeless children and youth.

• Homeless students have the right to continue attending their school of origin. What is meant by “school of origin”?

School of origin is defined as the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled. For example, if a child was attending school in District A while permanently housed but during the school year became homeless and was living in a shelter in a different district, the school in District A would be the school of origin.

IV. THE MCKINNEY-VENTO DISTRICT LIAISON (GENERAL)

• McKinney-Vento law requires a homeless liaison. What is this person’s role?

The district liaison plays the most important role in ensuring that a school district is in compliance with McKinney-Vento. The U.S. Department of Education. provides guidance regarding the role of these liaisons. According to USDOE, local liaisons must ensure that:

• Homeless children and youth are identified by school personnel and through coordination activities with other entities and agencies;
• Homeless students have access to immediate enrollment in district schools;
• Parents or guardians of homeless children and youth are informed of educational opportunities for their children;
• Parents/guardians and unattached youth are informed of their rights to comparable services, including but not limited to transportation, special education, pre-school programs, etc.;
• Enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with McKinney; and
• Public notice of the educational rights of homeless students is widely disseminated to various appropriate locations.

• Who should be appointed the district’s homeless liaison?

The type of person who would best be suited to being a homeless liaison will vary according to particular district circumstances. Before appointing a liaison, districts should do a needs assessment with regards to McKinney-Vento and appoint a liaison accordingly. Districts should keep in mind that the liaison position is an extremely important and sometimes labor-intensive position. Only a person who is familiar with (or is willing to familiarize him/herself with) McKinney-Vento requirements and who is willing and able to carry out the requirements should be chosen.

Persons such as social workers, counselors, and nurses may be ideal candidates for the position because they often have direct knowledge of the student body and community resources. Although it is possible for administrators, including school corporation administrators, to be appointed liaison, school districts should take care to identify potential conflicts of interest. For example, a corporation level administrator may be responsible for representing the school district in investigating and pursuing expulsions, which may be in direct conflict with the liaison’s responsibility of mediating disputes and advocating for homeless students and their families.

In Indiana, districts are asked to update their homeless liaison at the beginning of each school year as part of the Central Point of Contact Report, and are also asked to update the contact information if the liaison changes.

• Why does a district need a liaison?

Besides being a district requirement that is written into federal law, the liaison plays an extremely important role in ensuring that homeless children and youth are given an opportunity to attend school and achieve academically and socially. The liaison acts as the central point of contact, not only for district personnel, but also for homeless families. The liaison helps identify homeless students, mediates conflicts, helps students receive necessary services, arranges transportation, and assists homeless families and unattached youth in making best interest decisions.

• Does each school need to have a liaison?

No. McKinney-Vento law only requires that there be a liaison appointed at the district level. However, it is encouraged to have a liaison at the school level, especially for larger urban districts or districts that have a high number of homeless students. Each district should examine its needs in order to determine whether or not it would be necessary or feasible to have a liaison in each school.

V. IDENTIFYING AND LOCATING HOMELESS STUDENTS

• How can a liaison identify and locate homeless children?

A liaison can use several strategies to identify and locate homeless children. First, the liaison can do outreach to local homeless and domestic violence providers who have already identified homeless children and youth. It’s important to realize that even if a community does not have a homeless shelter, they may have social service providers that supply alternate housing for homeless families. Also, keeping a listing of all low-cost local hotels and motels in the area near the registration desk can allow secretaries to verify that the address is a local hotel (indicating that the family may be homeless) without having to ask the family. Examining transportation logs is a good way to find doubled-up families.

Liaisons can also do a teacher survey, or can submit a housing questionnaire to all students (so as not to single out homeless students). Professional development can also be very important in helping teachers recognize statements from students that may indicate that the students are homeless.

Liaisons and other school staff can also conduct school-wide awareness campaigns regarding homeless children and youth. Such campaigns, especially when directed at teenagers, may lead to self-identification of homeless status. These campaigns can include convocations, National Hunger and Homelessness Week activities, and/or lessons that use the issue of homelessness to teach academic skills.

Finally, a liaison should make sure that s/he works with school corporation and school staff to train school personnel on McKinney-Vento and its provisions. See the next question for some information on how training can be accomplished.

• How can a liaison ensure that school staff are properly trained in McKinney-Vento requirements?

School districts can use professional development funds to provide McKinney-Vento training to all staff. Staff trained should include administrators and teaching staff, but should also include school lunch workers, administrative assistants and secretaries, and registrars, as these are often the people who come into first contact with homeless children, are responsible for enrolling them, and are the gatekeepers to educational services.

The best training programs would include local resources, such as shelter directors or other emergency assistance providers. For example, a school district could host a training session that is provided in a shelter within the school district’s area highlighting all the community’s homeless shelters, as well as alternative shelter locations used by local families.

• How can classroom teachers, school administrative assistants, and other school staff help homeless liaisons identify children and youth who may be homeless?

Often, classroom teachers know their students better than anyone else. To identify homeless students, teachers can listen for statements that may indicate that a child is living in a homeless situation. In addition, they might look for major changes in behavior or certain types of behavior or signs associated with homelessness. Some of these signs might be persistent hygiene issues, constant loss of homework, poor organizational skills, inability to concentrate, frequent or chronic illness, absence, or tardiness, falling asleep in class, or a sudden drop in grades coupled with a sudden increase in absences or tardiness.

School administrators, administrative assistants, secretaries, and registrars should look out for students listing addresses that are known to be at local hotels or motels, shelter addresses, or the addresses of other friends or family members who might also attend that school. They may also pay attention to students who frequently move, or to younger children who do not know their home addresses (but are of an age that they likely should).

School staff should be aware that many families may not realize that they qualify as homeless under McKinney-Vento. As such, when attempting to identify homeless children and youth, school personnel may want to use the definitions of homelessness instead of just the word. For example, a school administrator or homeless liaison might ask a teacher or school secretary if she or he knows of any children living in cars, staying at campgrounds, or changing locations extremely often. A teacher might use the same strategy to ascertain whether or not an individual child might be homeless.

Regardless of the methods used to identify homeless students, school staff should take care not to stigmatize, alienate, or single out homeless students. In addition, the most important piece of identifying, locating, serving, and ensuring the academic success of homeless students is communication at every level—between classroom teachers, school staff, corporation staff, and the homeless liaison.

• How can school personnel make sure that homeless children who have been identified are not singled out or stigmatized because of their homelessness?

First and foremost, school districts should never segregate or isolate homeless children from the regular school program or during the regular school day simply because they are homeless. This is prohibited by McKinney-Vento law, which requires school districts to adopt policies and procedures to ensure that homeless students are not segregated or stigmatized based on their housing status.

In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to provide additional services to homeless children and youth in a separate setting (keeping in mind that this must supplement the regular school day, and not supplant it). If a school district has an after-school program—for example, a McKinney-Vento tutoring program for homeless kids provided at the shelter—the district should avoid calling the program “The Homeless Tutoring Program” or “The Shelter Program”. Instead, the district could call the program “The Homework Club” to avoid stigmatization. In addition, transportation directors, the McKinney-Vento liaison, and school bus drivers can work together in developing transportation routes for homeless kids that will minimize stigmatization, such as picking up students who live in shelters first and dropping them off last so that other bus riders do not necessarily know that the students live in shelters.

Finally, because homeless families often lack the means to consistently wash clothes, shower, and buy and maintain school supplies, schools, homeless liaisons, and/or classroom teachers can keep something like a basic needs kit, which may include soap, a toothbrush, a change of socks or underwear, school supplies, etc. Schools can also create opportunities where homeless students are permitted to use school showers and changing facilities. As always, school personnel should use their best judgment and their knowledge and understanding of individual students to minimize potential stigmatization and embarrassment.

VI. ENROLLMENT OF HOMELESS STUDENTS

• How should “best interest” decisions for a homeless child or youth’s enrollment be made?

  McKinney-Vento law states that homeless children and youth are eligible to continue attending their schools of origin, as long as it is in their best interest. In making “best interest” decisions, most importantly, parents/guardians and/or the child (especially in cases of runaway or unattached youth) should be involved in the decision. USDE Guidance states that a school district must allow a child to remain in the school of origin, to the extent feasible, unless doing so is directly contrary to the child’s or parent/guardian’s wishes. If a school district decides that it is in the best interest of the child to attend school in a place other than the school of origin, the district must provide a written explanation of its decision to the parent or guardian, together with a statement advising them of their right to appeal the decision.

  In general, it is usually considered better for the child to remain in the school of origin, as this encourages stability for the student. In some cases, school is one of the few stable experiences that a homeless child or youth may have. Changing schools significantly hinders a child’s ability to learn and achieve academically and socially. The work of Dr. Joy Rogers with Loyola University in Chicago finds that it can take a student four to six months to recover academically after changing schools. In addition, students who are highly mobile generally have lower test scores and overall academic performance than those who do not.

• In determining best interest, what does “to the extent feasible” mean?

Determinations regarding the placement of homeless students should be made with the child’s needs in mind—not with thoughts regarding costs to the school district. Factors that a district may consider in determining feasibility might include the student’s age, the distance of a commute and how that might affect the student; personal safety issues, any special services the child may need (such as special education, gifted/talented, etc.), the length of anticipated stay in temporary housing, and time remaining in the school year.

• What should a parent do if he or she disagrees with a school district’s decision regarding school placement and best interest determination?

If a dispute arises between a school district and a homeless family regarding school placement, the child must be immediately enrolled in the school of the parent’s choice (usually, the school of origin) until the dispute is resolved. It is very important that the child not be kept out of school while the dispute is being resolved. Each school district must have a written dispute resolution policy in place. For issues that cannot be resolved at the local level, please refer to the state’s dispute resolution policy: http://www.doe.in.gov/alted/dispute_resolution.html

The school district must make sure that it has apprised parents in writing of the school placement decision and the parent or student’s right to appeal the decision. The parent or unaccompanied student should be referred to the school district’s McKinney-Vento liaison, who is required to carry out the dispute resolution process.

• Can a district refuse to enroll a student who is homeless or is claiming to be homeless because that child does not live in the district’s attendance area?

No. If a homeless child’s school of origin is located in a district different from that of his or her temporary housing, the child should be allowed to attend the school of origin to the extent feasible as is in the best interest of the child.

• May a homeless student who does not have school records, a birth certificate, and/or immunizations be enrolled in school?

Yes. A homeless student must be immediately enrolled, regardless of whether or not the student has necessary records for enrollment. In fact, one provision of the McKinney-Vento Act requires school districts to review and revise policies that may create a barrier to the enrollment of homeless children. If, for example, a school district has a no exceptions policy barring enrollment of students without necessary records, the district should revise this policy to make it more accommodating to homeless children. This does not mean that school districts should waive necessary records requirements—it simply means that some leeway should be provided for homeless students.

The school district in which the child is enrolling must contact that child’s previous district immediately to attempt to obtain school records. The McKinney-Vento liaison may take on this role. If a child or youth needs to obtain immunizations or records, the enrolling school must refer the parent/guardian or unattached youth to the homeless liaison, whose responsibility it is to assist the families. With regards to immunizations, however, it is VERY IMPORTANT to ensure that students are not over-immunized. Just because a student does not have immunization records does not necessarily mean that the student was never immunized. Liaisons should help parents check with the county or state Department of Health for complete immunization records.

Finally, the McKinney-Vento liaison should also help families obtain birth certificates. The Indiana Department of Health has on-line information regarding birth certificates that may be helpful: http://www.in.gov/isdh/bdcertifs/bdcert.html. Other records, such as a church issued baptismal record may also be appropriate substitutes and are allowable by Indiana law.

• How can a homeless liaison help a child or youth enroll in school?

Liaisons can meet this requirement in several ways. First, liaisons should work with corporation level staff to identify, review, and revise policies that may act as barriers to the enrollment of homeless children. Liaisons should also work with homeless children and their families (as well as unattached youth) to obtain birth certificates, immunization records, school records, and any other records that might prevent a child from enrolling. Liaisons should also work with transportation directors to ensure that homeless children are provided proper transportation, which can often be a very big barrier to enrollment and school attendance.

Liaisons should also work closely with corporation personnel to provide periodic training on McKinney-Vento regulations and the rights of parents and students to ALL corporation staff.

Liaisons should keep in contact with the State Coordinator for McKinney-Vento, whose contact information for Indiana is listed on the McKinney-Vento homepage. The coordinator provides periodic trainings for liaisons on outreach and best practices. In addition, the coordinator can help McKinney-Vento liaisons in creating policies and best practices for their districts.

• How long does a district need to keep a formerly homeless child (who is no longer living in that district’s attendance area) enrolled in the school of origin once the child has become permanently housed?

Once a child has become permanently housed (including being placed in foster care), that child is still eligible to continue attending his or her school of origin for the remainder of the school year. If the child is still permanently housed in the next school year, the child should attend school in the district in which the permanent housing is located. However, districts should keep in mind that just because a child became permanently housed during one school year does not necessarily mean that the child will still be permanently housed in the next year.

• What happens if a parent or guardian (or unattached youth) enrolls a child in a different school, other than the school of origin, simply because he or she was not informed of the homeless child’s rights?

In this case, a homeless student would still have the right to go back to his or her school of origin, if the parent/guardian or unattached youth determines that it is in the student’s best interest. As noted, it is vital that a school district inform homeless families of their rights in writing. In addition, school districts must make sure that information about the rights of homeless students is clearly posted and that staff are trained in McKinney-Vento provisions.

• What should a parent living in a homeless situation do if s/he cannot get his or her child enrolled in school?

If a homeless family runs into difficulties getting a child enrolled, the family should ask to be referred immediately to the school district’s homeless liaison. Every district is required to have one, and the liaison is required to help a homeless child enroll in school, in addition to mediating potential disputes. If a parent has not received notice of his or her rights in writing, the parent should ask the school district for a copy.

• What if a family is claiming to be homeless, but there are doubts as to whether or not the family really is homeless?

In rare instances, a school district may suspect that a family or unattached youth is falsely claiming to be homeless. The school district has the right to investigate a family who is claiming to be homeless if the district has doubts as to the family’s actual housing status. There are a few things to keep in mind:

• A district must immediately enroll (or keep the child enrolled in the school of origin) the child during the entire dispute process and until the dispute and/or investigation has been resolved. The McKinney-Vento Act defines enroll as attending classes and participating in school activities.
• Even if a district questions a family’s status a homeless, the district still must provide that family with a written statement of rights for homeless children and youth.
• A district must provide services (including transportation) to that child until the investigation or dispute has been resolved.
• In the case of a family living in a doubled-up situation, investigations may involve visits to the residence to determine if the family is actually temporary houseguests, as they claim. However , school districts should, to the greatest extent possible, avoid contacting a landlord or apartment manager during an investigation. Discretion is important, as doubled up families are typically not on the lease of the family who is renting the residence. Questions directed to the landlord may cause BOTH families to be evicted, thus creating two homeless families instead of one.
• A district may examine employment records and/or pay stubs in trying to determine housing status. However, keep in mind that just because a person is employed does not necessarily mean that the person is not homeless. In fact, CHIP (Coalition for Homeless Intervention and Prevention) says that 50% of homeless adults in Indianapolis work an average of 30 hours per week.
• Just because there is available housing in an area does not necessarily mean that a family is not homeless; the family may not be able to afford that housing or there may be extenuating circumstances preventing the family from accessing that housing.

VII. SERVICES FOR HOMELESS STUDENTS

• What services does a district have to provide for homeless children?

McKinney-Vento law states that an LEA must provide services to each homeless child and youth that are comparable to services offered to other students in the LEA. Comparable services include, but are not limited to, public preschool programs, special education programs, gifted/talented programs, programs for LEP students, vocational education programs, before and after school programs, school food programs, and transportation.

• Are there any services for which homeless children and youth are automatically eligible?

Yes. All homeless students are automatically eligible for Title I services, free breakfast and lunch, and free textbooks. Families should also be referred to the Hoosier Healthwise health insurance program. Students are, of course, eligible for and must be provided all comparable services, such as transportation, special education, gifted/talented programs, vocational education, etc.

• What services are pre-school aged homeless children eligible for?

Homeless pre-school aged children are eligible for any and all comparable services provided to non-homeless children. For example, homeless pre-school aged children are eligible for all public preschool services, including Head Start or other educational programs for pre-school aged children.

• If a district does not provide transportation to non-homeless students, is it required to transport homeless students?

Yes. Transportation is a service for homeless students that is required of a school district. At the request of a parent or guardian, a district must provide or arrange transportation to and from the homeless student’s school of origin. Transportation personnel who identify homeless students or suspect that a student is homeless should notify the district McKinney-Vento liaison to ensure appropriate services are provided. The district’s transportation division should arrange transportation at the request of McKinney-Vento liaisons acting on behalf of unattached youth.

• Why is transportation a required service for all homeless students?

Transportation has been named in numerous studies as the number one barrier for homeless students to enrolling in and attending school regularly.

• Does a district have to provide transportation to a homeless student who is attending school in the district (the child’s school of origin is in the district) but who lives in another district?

Yes. If a homeless child or youth and his or her parent/guardian feels that it is in the best interest of the child to remain in the school of origin, the school district of origin and the school district in which the child now lives must agree upon a method to share the responsibility and costs of transporting the child to and from the school of origin. If both districts cannot agree upon a method, responsibility and costs should be split equally between the two districts. The child must remain enrolled and receive transportation even if there is a dispute within a district or between districts.

In some cases, a complaint or disputes regarding provision of comparable services may be referred to the Indiana Department of Education. However, in accordance with the state’s complaint procedure, a complaint should not be filed with the DOE until every effort has been made to resolve the issue through local written complaint procedures (as required by McKinney-Vento law). For more information on the state’s process for comparable services disputes, please refer to the state’s Complaint Procedures: http://www.doe.in.gov/alted/pdf/mckinney_complaint-procedures.pdf

• Can a district use Title I funds to transport homeless students to and from their schools of origin?

No. Because of the no supplanting provisions of Title I, these funds cannot be used to provide services that are required of a school district . However, once a student is permanently housed, a school district can use Title I funds to continue transporting that student to and from the school of origin (formerly homeless students that become permanently housed are allowed to continue attending the school of origin for the remainder of the school district, but a district is no longer required to transport a permanently housed child living outside of its attendance area, although continuation of transportation is strongly encouraged).

• Is there any federal funding available to help with the costs of transporting homeless students across attendance and district lines?

Yes. Districts may apply for competitive McKinney-Vento subgrant funding, which in part can be used to help transport homeless students. However, districts should be aware that McKinney-Vento subgrants are highly competitive, and that in order to be selected, a district must meet the requirements of the application and have an above average program for working with homeless students. Please refer to Section VIII for more information about McKinney-Vento subgrants.

In addition, limited numbers of transportation grants for homeless students are available on a first come, first served basis for school districts. Theses grants were awarded for the first time in April of 2005, and contingent upon availability of funds for 2006 will be offered again in the early spring of 2006.

VIII. FUNDING UNDER MCKINNEY-VENTO

• Is there any state or federal money available to help implement the provisions of McKinney-Vento?

  Currently, there is no additional state funding available for McKinney-Vento. However, there is federal funding available through McKinney-Vento in the form of competitive subgrants to school districts.

  The program is highly competitive and awards one or three-year grants of up to $55,000 per year to school districts that facilitate the attendance and success of homeless preschoolers, children, and youth. Generally, these districts have established strong ties to community agencies and are able to demonstrate that they have gone above and beyond the provisions of McKinney-Vento in ensuring academic success for homeless students. For a list of corporations currently receiving McKinney-Vento funding, please click here: http://www.doe.in.gov/alted/currentmckinneyprograms.html. If you are interested in applying for McKinney-Vento subgrant funds, please visit the Education for Homeless Children and Youth’s website at: http://www.doe.in.gov/alted/homelesslinkpg.html. Grant applications are generally accepted between August and October, and award decisions are made by December.

  In addition to competitive McKinney-Vento subgrants, for the first time in 2005, transportation grants to assist with the transportation of homeless students were made available. These grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Pending availability of funding for 2006, it is likely that these transportation grants will be offered again in the early to late spring of 2006. Grant announcements are generally made via Superintendent’s mail and are posted on the Education for Homeless Children and Youth’s website.

Notes:

**Many questions and answers provided here have been adapted from the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth’s 100 Most Frequently Asked Questions, available at: http://www.naehcy.org/faq.html, and the United States Department of Education’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth’s non-regulatory guidance, available at: http://www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/guidance.pdf **