McKinney Vento 101
What is the McKinney Vento definition of homeless?
Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
Daily Double! Yes, Great job in selecting Rights! You're a real one! LIT. LOL.
Give us one right that McKinney Vento Students have.
-Right to immediate Enrollment in any public school
-Right to transportation and remove barriers to transportation.
-The right to remain at school of origin.
-Rights to engage in extra curricular activities, sports, etc.
In 2019, 1 out of every 18.5 high school students reported being homeless.
True. (Via Data from School House Connections)
Which New Hope Student group was developed to help support student's mental health, students who are houseless, and their families?
The Student Support Group Enrichment (The Advisors) was created by scholars to help other scholars. They inspired the development of this year's popcorn sale to raise money toward scholar needs.
Share a positive outcome from a scholar you helped.
Answers will vary
A family is sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason. Are they McKinney Vento Eligible?
Yes. They meet the criteria due to an economic hardship.
Two large McKenney Vento Student/ Family rights are posted in the front office. Why is this?
To ensure families and staff are aware of their rights for immediate enrollment and other rights granted by the McKinney Vento Act. They are also posted in Spanish and available in different languages.
Students identified as McKinney Vento need to have all their enrollment documents ready when they are wanting to enroll at any school.
False. McKinney eligible students have the right, per McKinney Vento Act, to have expedited enrollment despite having their records, immunizations, or other enrollment documentation.
Unfortunately youth in the LGBTQ community have higher rates of homelessness compared to other scholars. What can New Hope do to increase supports for our scholars who identify LGBTQ
Staff can advocate for more supports and resources for our LGBTQ communities. Being a support and ally will help our scholars with housing, obtain mental health needs, and promote acceptance for all scholars at New Hope.
Other answers are accepted.
Last year a scholar and his mother were referred to housing services with a local agency. Unfortunately they did not receive housing because they were not "homeless". What did the family end up with?
HOUSING! The mother shared how she was thankful for all New Hope staff in helping her son. She felt inspired not to give up and eventually found affordable housing on her own.
42% of students who experienced homelessness say they dropped out of school at least once; 60% say it was hard to stay in school while they were homeless.
What are other areas in which being houseless can impact a child?
Answer can vary:
Mental health: can develop high levels of stress, feelings of hopelessness
Self-esteem: Students may not be able to shower every day, leading to other student to make fun of them.
A student is meets the criteria for McKinney Vento in December 2023. The family thankfully gets stable housing on their own. Does the family still get McKinney Vento services?
Even though the family obtained housing during the same school year, they still qualify for McKinney Vento Services throughout that school year as means to help maintain housing and student's needs.
It is only up to Mr. Fuentes to help all scholars who are houseless.
False. Although Mr. Fuentes is our McKinney Vento Liaison, all New Hope Staff can support our families who are McKinney Vento Eligible.
During back to school events and open house events at New Hope, we partner with an agency to provides free food boxes for our families (which include homeless families), what is the name of that agency?
The Sacramento Food bank!
The Sac Food bank has been a great support for our families this year. It is the hope they continue to be a partner for our school and community.
This student group at New Hope was created to help support all students, including students with housing challenges. What is the groups name?
The Student Support Group (The Advisors).
What is the definition of "School of Origin"?
The school attended when permanently housed or the school in which last enrolled, including a preschool.
A student is eligible for McKinney Vento services at the end of the school year (doubled up with another family due to economic hardships). The student is graduating in June and enrolling to a local High School. The student has most of his immunizations but does not have them all. What should the high school do?
The student still meets the criteria for McKinney Vento, the school should enroll the student immediately. New Hope should support with obtaining immunization and support with the transition.
A child, who is houseless, can enroll on their own, without a parent being present.
TRUE. Immediat enrollment applies even without a parent being present (Unaccompanied Minor) 11432(g)(1)(H)(iv)
Resilience, what does it mean?
The capacity to withstand or to recover from difficulties.
We want to develop resiliency among our youth. There are many ways to do this.
How else can we support McKinney Vento Students?
Answers will vary:
Clothes closet, job fair to support parents/ gaurdians, continue to collaborate with local mental health agencies, continue to partner with the sacramento food bank, start a community garden on our campus, etc.