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Contact Project Access

Patricia Briones* (para Español)
Family Engagement Coordinator/McKinney Vento Liaison
Phone: 847-888-5000 ext. 6768
Fax: 847-628-6162
*Youth in Care/Foster Care Point of Contact for U-46
 
Ximena Vences 
Project Access Specialist
Phone: 847-888-5000 ext. 6769
 
Libertad De Leon (para Español)
Project Access Specialist
Phone: 847-888-5000 ext. 6765
 
Rosa Ramirez 
Secretary
Phone: 847-888-5000 ext. 4874

Resources

Kane County ROE

National Association for Homeless Education

National Center for Homeless Education

It is the objective of Project Access to ensure equal access to education and all programs, preserve the dignity of all homeless children and youth as they enter the public school system, and to ensure that these children will not feel isolated or stigmatized due to their homelessness.

Education is a critical element in breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness.  Education can open doors to possibilities and future dreams and accomplishments for children whose lives have been restricted and confined.  For homeless children/youth school should be a place they can count on for stability. 

Project Access is School District U-46’s Homeless Education Program.  Federal and State law mandates that every school district in the nation appoint a Homeless Liaison to recruit and service homeless students in their district.  School District U-46 has taken this one step further and created a program named Project Access.  Project Access was started in 1995 and identified 96 students.  Last year Project Access identified and serviced over 775 homeless students. The work is guided by the Stewart B. McKinney Act.


 
Project Access can:

  • Advocate for homeless children and their families.

  • Help ensure that homeless children in the district will not feel stigmatized due to their homeless status.
  • Provide school supplies, including backpacks and/or uniforms to each child.
  • Coordinate efforts of district transportation and external resources to take students to and from school as needed.
  • Make all school activities, including before and after school programs, accessible to each child.
  • Provide tutoring and/or accessibility to tutoring as needed.
  • Help parents complete enrollment forms and assist in obtaining school records, immunization records, birth certificates, and other records as needed.
  • Coordinate efforts with local community agencies to provide basic needs and services for homeless students and families, including medical, vision, and dental care on a limited basis.
  • Create awareness of and promote sensitivity to the educational and legal rights of homeless children and youth in school personnel.

McKinney-Vento Act

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 Project Access coordinators: 

How to Help

The Fight Against Poverty Begins with Education

Removing barriers for students experiencing homelessness by providing basic needs is essential to their well-being. 

Please consider donating the following items to support our students in need.

  • Blankets 
  • Pillows 
  • Laundry detergent (Small containers please)
  • Mesh laundry bags
  • Bath towels
  • Hair dryers
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo/conditioner (Two in one / three in one)
  • Body Lotion
  • Hats, gloves, scarves for boys/men girls/women
  • Grocery bags (reusable and plastic)
  • Gift cards for food or gas 

For sanitary reasons we cannot accept donations of used items

Please consider making a financial contribution to support Project Access students. One-hundred percent of funds donated to Project Access go directly to students experiencing homelessness. These funds are used exclusively for needs of students and families that there are no other resources for, including replacement birth certificates, band and orchestra instruments and field trips/extracurricular activities, senior activities, clothing and equipment for school sports, Tier 3 MTSS supports for families, etc. These funds are tracked through individual forms filled out for each expense and submitted to the U-46 Financial Department. No donated money is ever used for administrative costs.

If you have any questions or wish to make a financial contribution, please contact the Project Access coordinators. 

Youth In Care (YIC) Liason

The Youth in Care (YIC) Liaison works with the district's Title I coordinator to provide support for students in foster care. The liaison serves as the district’s point of contact with appropriate state, local, and/or tribal child welfare agencies to receive notifications and share information regarding the status and progress of students in foster care.

Youth in Care refers to a child for whom the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is legally responsible—whether through temporary protective custody, guardianship via court order, or when a parent has signed an adoptive surrender or voluntary placement agreement. The term “youth” or “youth/child in foster care” is the preferred designation for a child within the system.

The goal of the liaison is to support the following:

  •  Collaboration between child welfare and schools

  •  Best Interest Determination

  •  Foster Care Transportation

  •  Enrollment and Transfer of Records

  •  School of Origin

  •  Student data tracking and monitoring

  •  District staff training on DCFS-related matters

School District U-46, YIC Liaison is Patricia Briones at 847-888-5000 ext. 6768 or patriciabriones@u-46.org