The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program is to ensure that all children and youth have equal access to the same free and appropriate public education, including preschool education as non-homeless children and youth.

State and local educational agencies are required to develop, review and revise policies to remove barriers to the enrollment, attendance and success in school that homeless children and youth may experience. Local educational agencies must also provide homeless children and youth with the opportunity to meet the same challenging state content and state student performance standards to which all students are held.

Definition of Homeless

The federal government's legal definition of homelessness based on the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is anyone who...

• Is lacking a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence (sub standard housing)

• Is sharing housing due to economic struggles (double-up)

• Is living in a shelter, hotel or motel 

• Is living in a public place not designed for sleeping (cars, parks)

• Is an unaccompanied youth, a child or youth awaiting foster care placement

• Is a child or youth abandoned in a hospital

• Is a migrant child who qualifies under any of the above

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act requires districts to ensure homeless students have access to education and other services they need to meet the same high academic achievement standards as all students. Grand Valley Local Schools Homeless Policy is PO5111.01 

WE CAN HELP!

All local school districts must designate a Homeless Liaison.

Our Liaison is:

Dr. Ellen Winer 

Director of Pupil Services

440-805-4545

Click here to send a message to Dr. Winer

Contact her if you or someone you know is homeless and needs help to enroll in school or contact help in the community.