The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.is a federal law intended to remove barriers to learning for homeless students. The ultimate goal is to provide homeless students with the same educational opportunities as those who are housed.

Children who are eligible for services under the McKinney-Vento Act are those who “lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the streets, cars, abandoned buildings, and other inadequate accommodations are considered eligible.

The act ensures homeless children have the right to:

• Choose either to stay in the school of origin (the school the child last attended or the school the child attended when they lost permanent housing) or attend the school serving the area in which they are temporarily staying. Their caregiver makes the choice.

• Immediately enroll in a school district even if medical or other records cannot be produced at time of enrollment

• Receive assistance with transportation if needed

• Receive priority to preschool programs 

• Receive free school lunch and waivers from school fees

You can learn more about the McKinney-Vento Act on this fact sheet.

In U-46, students who are eligible for McKinney-Vento services are served by Project Access. 

If you think your family might qualify for McKinney-Vento services, or you have questions, please contact one of the following Project Access coordinators: 

Patty Briones (se habla español) 

847-888-5000 x 6768

patriciabriones@u-46.org

Maggie Schroeder 

847-888-5000 x 6765

maggieschroeder@u-46.org

Manuela Tavares (se fala portugues) 

847-888-5000 x 6769

manueladefariatavares@u-46.org