Iredell-Statesville Schools School & Family Magazine December 2016

Making it Clear - Mckinney-Vento Who is homeless? (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2001 – Title X, Part C of the No Child Left Behind Act – Sec 725) The term “homeless children and youth”— A. means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence…; and B. includes — i. children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement; ii. children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings… iii. children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and iv. migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses through (iii 20 Iredell-Statesville School & Family The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.) is a federal law that addresses the needs of homeless people, including the educational needs of children and youth. It was the first and remains the only major federal legislative response to homelessness.This act ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento eligible students have the right to: • enroll in school immediately • enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents; • enroll in the local attendance area school or continue attending their school of origin; • receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested • receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students not be stigmatized or segregated on the basis Why do people become homeless? Considering the myths and stereotypes that persist regarding people experiencing homelessness, it is important to understand some of the factors that can cause people to lose their homes. Homelessness is often thought of as something that only happens to people with particular traits, habits, or economic standing, but it impacts people from all backgrounds. Why is school important to homeless children and youth? While students experience instability in their home lives due to homelessness, school is often a place of safety and security. Research has shown that no common set of characteristics describes the typical homeless student, but all students do need a sense of belonging, a consistent and caring environment, and the security of an organized and predictable classroom and school schedule to succeed (Moore, 2013). School also provides basics that the students may not have at home, like breakfast and lunch. As schools continue to increase their focus on producing college - and career - ready graduates, education also becomes an increasingly clear path out of homelessness for students. Despite the significant challenges created by homelessness that make getting an education difficult, students often cite the desire for a better lifeas the reason why they continue to work toward graduation. Graphics by ICPHusa.org

Iredell-Statesville Schools School & Family Magazine December 2016 | Page 22