McKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT
In compliance with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as reauthorized in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Cornell School District is attempting to identify all children within the district that may be experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied homeless youth. The term homeless children and youth is defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
This includes individuals:
Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason;
Living in a motel, hotel, trailer park or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
Living in emergency or transitional shelters;
Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar settings;
Living in substandard housing (no running water or working utilities, infestations, etc.).
Unaccompanied youth (a child or youth who is not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian)
Cornell School District attempts to identify homeless students during the initial enrollment process and on an ongoing basis. If a student or family has indicated they are homeless, or if a staff member has reasonable suspicion that a student or family is homeless, they are required to alert the Homeless Liaison. All procedures in place are designed to ensure this identification does not create or exacerbate educational barriers.
Students shall not be discriminated against, segregated nor stigmatized based on their status as homeless. To the extent feasible, and in accordance with the student’s best interest, a homeless student shall continue to be enrolled in their school of origin while they remain homeless or until the end of the academic year in which they obtain permanent housing. Parents/Guardians of a homeless student may request enrollment in the school in the attendance area where the student is actually living or other schools. If a student is unaccompanied by a parent/guardian, the District Homeless Liaison will consider the views of the students in determining where they will be enrolled.
The selected school shall immediately enroll the student and begin instruction, even if the student is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment pursuant to Cornell School District policies. However, Cornell SD may require a parent/guardian to submit contact information. The homeless liaison may contact the previous school for oral confirmation of immunizations, and the school shall request records from the previous district. Homeless families are not required to prove residency regarding school enrollment.
Cornell School District may contact the district of origin for oral confirmation that the student has been immunized, but must not be a barrier to enrollment. Oral confirmation between professionals is a sufficient basis to verify immunization with written confirmation to follow within thirty (30) days.
The instructional program should begin as soon as possible after the enrollment process is initiated and should not be delayed until the procedure is completed. The Homeless Liaison will assist the parent/guardian in obtaining necessary immunizations, or immunization and medical records.
Homeless students shall be provided services comparable to those offered to other Cornell School District students including but not limited to: programs for students with limited English proficiency; and educational services for which students meet eligibility criteria, such as programs for disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities. Homeless families will also have access to all parent involvement activities and initiatives. Students automatically qualify for free lunch services.
Cornell School District has staff members who will work with local community agencies to coordinate services in the student’s community. The staff includes: Officer Herring, School Resource Officer, Gina Walter, Senior High Counselor, Greg Paul, Elementary Counselor, Carla Antoniades, Director of Pupil Services & Homeless Liaison, as well as those involved in Student Assistance Program. Additionally, Cornell School District has a certified nurse on staff, Mrs. Brandy Bosetti, who works to ensure necessary referrals take place to appropriate health care, dental services, and other medical services.
Children who are experiencing homelessness may qualify for assistance, with school supplies/materials, and/or tutoring so that they can remain in their school throughout the duration of their homeless episode. It is your professional duty to report any student you believe to be experiencing homelessness immediately.
If your living situation changes during the school year, and you and your children become homeless, please be sure to contact the school. We will work with you so that your child(ren)’s education is disrupted as little as possible. Please contact Mrs. Carla Antoniades, Homeless Liaison at (412) 264-5010 ext.1113, [email protected]
Policy 251 - Attached