McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

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In January of 2002, Congress authorized the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to assist families and youth experiencing homelessness. This Act entitles children who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence to a free, appropriate education and requires schools to remove barriers to their enrollment, attendance and success in school. The McKinney-Vento Program meets the needs of homeless students attending Durham Public Schools by addressing academic challenges and family issues affecting their success in school. 

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Example living situations that may qualify include, but are not limited to:

 

• Living with a friend, relative or other person/family because of a loss of housing

• Staying in a motel or hotel because of a loss of housing or fleeing domestic violence

• Living in an emergency shelter, transitional housing or domestic violence shelter

• Living in a car, park or public place, abandoned building or bus station

• Living temporarily in substandard housing

• Living in a campground or an inadequate trailer home

• Living in a runaway or homeless youth shelter

• Youth living on their own, even if their families want them to come home

 

 The McKinney-Vento Program also meets the needs of "a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian" (42 USC §11434a(6), 2001). Youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and lacking a fixed, regular and adequate residence are referred to as unaccompanied homeless youth. Youth who run away are also eligible for services even if the parent/guardian/caregiver wishes the student to return home. Some reasons a youth may be on his/her own include, but is not limited to, family dysfunction, parental neglect and abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, or substance), incarceration, illness and deportation.

 

Runaway youth and unaccompanied homeless youth are eligible to be enrolled immediately without a legal guardian. Under the McKinney-Vento Program, there is no age limit for an unaccompanied homeless or runaway youth as long as the student is eligible for K-12 public education in NC. Schools must immediately alert the School Social Worker or the District McKinney-Vento Liaison if presented with a possible runaway or unaccompanied homeless youth.

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 Requesting Services:  If you feel that you or your family may qualify for McKinney-Vento Services, please contact your School Social Worker or Melody Marshall, District Homeless Liaison. Please note that services do not automatically renew so connect with the School Social Worker or District Liaison to assess for eligibility each school year. To obtain more information McKinney-Vento Services, please contact Melody Marshall, McKinney-Vento District Liaison.

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Contact Information: 

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Melody Marshall                                                                 Ebony Thomas, MSW, BSW 

McKinney-Vento District Liaison                                            McKinney-Vento Social Worker

Brogden Middle School - Room 222                                   Brogden Middle School - Room 222

1001 Leon Street, Durham, NC                                           1001 Leon Street, Durham, NC

919-560-2000 Ext. 21927                                                      (919) 560-2208 ext. 85310
melody.marshall@dpsnc.net                                               ebony.thomas@dpsnc.net  

                                                                                                  (Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday)