Home » Homeless Child Education

Homeless Education Program Policy

Students of homeless individuals and unaccompanied homeless youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent/guardian) residing in the District shall have equal access to the same free appropriate public education including comparable services, as provided to other students and youth who reside in the District. Homeless students and youth shall not be required to attend a separate school or program for homeless students and shall not be stigmatized by school personnel.

Definition of Homeless Students and Unaccompanied Youths
The term “homeless students and unaccompanied youths” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence due to economic hardship. It includes students and youths who are:
- Living in an emergency shelter or transitional housing.
- Abandoned in hospitals or awaiting foster care.
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camp grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations or similar settings.
- “Doubled up” living with friends or family due to the loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason.
Migratory students and unaccompanied youth (youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) may be considered homeless if they meet the above definition.

Homeless status is determined in cooperation with parents or in the case of unaccompanied youth, the local educational agency liaison. Homeless status may be documented through a

Brown County Schools does not discriminate against students on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental emotional or learning disability or handicap in its education programs or activities. Discrimination complaints shall be processed in accordance with established procedures.
Homeless Student Rights
The McKinney Vento Act provides certain rights for homeless students. They include
waiving certain requirements such as proof of residency when students are enrolling
and allowing categorical eligibility for certain services, such as free textbooks. The Act
also states:
- Homeless students may attend their school of origin or the school where they are temporarily residing;
- Homeless students must be provided a written statement of their rights when they enroll and at least two times per year;
- Homeless students may enroll without school, medical, or similar records;
- Homeless students have a right to transportation to school;
- Students must be provided a statement explaining why they are denied any service or enrollment;
- Students must receive services, such as transportation, while disputes are being settled;
- Students are automatically eligible for Title I services;
- School districts must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students;
- School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless students;
- Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless students, in schools and other places that homeless families may frequent; and
- School districts must identify a McKinney Vento Liaison to assist students.
Legal References
- Title IX, Education Amendment of 1972
- Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973
- American with Disabilities Act of 2009
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Civil Rights Act of 1991
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act

Documents

School Contact

BCS McKinney-Vento Liaison Officer
Holly Gordon
Phone: 812-988-6601 Ext: 1150
State Contact

IDOE Homeless Education State Coordinator
Charie Jones
McKinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov
317-232-0957
IDOE McKinney-Vento Info

Driven to

Positively Impact

Regional Prosperity Throughout

Our Schools

Join Us

Interested in attending Brown County Schools? Get more information on transferring from another school or prepare for enrollment into preschool or kindergarten.
Read More
Join Our Team

Brown County Schools Faculty and Staff are connected to each other and to the global workplace, community organizations and resources that build a strong and relevant path to success for our students.
Apply Online