Homeless Education-McKinney-Vento
The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program is to ensure that homeless students are provided a free, appropriate education despite the lack of a fixed place of residence or a supervising parent or guardian.
If your family lives in any of the following situations:
In a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship
In a shelter
Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.
Receive a free, appropriate public education.
Continue to attend their previous school with transportation provided by the districts OR enroll in the local school
Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
If you believe your children may be eligible, contact Christina Walker-Clark at 541-459-4341 ext. 4152 to find out what services and supports may be available. There also may be supports available for your preschool-age children.
Contacts:
Christina Walker-Clark 541-459-4341 ext. 4152
email: christina.walker-clark@oakland.k12.or.us
McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution
About the Dispute Resolution Process
If the school, district or McKinney liaison disagrees with the parent/guardian/youth about McKinney-Vento eligibility, school selection or enrollment, a process is in place to appeal the decision. Every state must establish procedures to promptly resolve disputes regarding the educational placement of students in transition.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, a student in temporary housing has the right to attend either their school of origin, if this is in the student's best interest, or the neighborhood's public school where the child or youth has current nighttime accommodations.
"School of origin" is the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled.
If a student is sent to a school other than the school of origin or the neighborhood public school where they are currently staying (whichever is requested by the parent or unaccompanied youth), the LEA must provide the parent/guardian/youth with a written explanation of its decision and the right to appeal.
Whenever a dispute arises, the student must be enrolled immediately to the requested school and be allowed to participate fully in all school activities while the dispute is being resolved.
The school must refer the student, parent, or guardian to the district liaison to carry out the dispute resolution process as quickly as possible.
Local liaisons must ensure that the same access to the dispute resolution process is provided to unaccompanied youth.
Oakland School District 1 McKinney-Vento Dispute Resolution Process
Proceed with these steps:
Refer the student to the McKinney Liaison to assess residency situation and enrollment options as defined in the MVA.
If a dispute still exists, the child or youth shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, until the dispute is resolved.
The parent or guardian of the child or youth shall be provided with a written explanation of the school's decision regarding school selection or enrollment, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or youth to appeal the decision (which would follow the district's complaint procedure, Policy KL and Administrative Regulations KL-R). They shall also be given a step-by-step description of our complaint procedure. The liaison will keep a copy of the written explanation.
The Oakland School District McKinney-Vento Liaison shall carry out the dispute resolution process as quickly as possible after receiving notice of the dispute.
In the case of unaccompanied youth, the M-V Liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of the dispute
The Title X McKinney-Vento Program guarantees all children and youth the right to an education, regardless of their current living situation. Program resources may include school supplies, clothing and other services to help ensure student success. This information is kept confidential. Oakland School District Title X contacts are Ms. Kendall Fox(OES)541.459.2271, Mrs. Rebekah Melton(LMS)541.459.3407, Mrs. Christina Walker-Clark(OHS)541.459.2597.