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South Newton School Corp

Rebel Family; United We Grow

McKinney-Vento Plan

South Newton School Corporation

McKinney-Vento District Plan 2025-2026

 

 

 

 

Indiana Education for Homeless Children and Youth

Table of Contents

 

Section 1: Overview

 

  • McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

  • Definition of Homelessness

  • Residency and Educational Rights

  • Procedures for the Dissemination of Educational Rights

 

Section 2: Identification and Eligibility

 

  • Title 1 Services and Funding

  • School Selection

  • Procedures to Identify and Verify Eligibility of McKinney-Vento Students

 

Section 3: Services and Standards

 

  • Transportation

  • Food Services

  • Textbooks and Technology

  • Academics

 

Section 4: Enrollment

 

  • Enrollment Procedures

  • Appeal and Dispute Processes

 

Section 5: Professional Development

 

  • McKinney-Vento Professional Development Opportunities

  • District Website

 

Section 6: Educational Staffing and Support

 

  • District Liaison's Roles and Responsibilities

  • Building Level Liaison's Role and Responsibilities

 

Appendix A: McKinney-Vento Residency Information Form Appendix B: Notice of Right to Appeal

Appendix C: Best Interest Determination Checklist

Appendix D: Parent Poster, Public Dissemination of Educational Rights

 

Section 1: Overview

 

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program is authorized under Title Vll-8 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) (McKinney-Vento Act). The McKinney-Vento Act was originally authorized in 1987 and most recently reauthorized in December 10th, 2016 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).The McKinney-Vento Act is designed to address the challenges that homeless children and youths have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.

 

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, State educational agencies (SEAs) must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youths.

Homeless children and youths must have access to the educational and related services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held. In addition, homeless students may not be separated from the mainstream school environment. SEAs and local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as barriers to the identification, enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youths.

Definition of Homeless (McKinney-Vento Act Sec. 725(2); 42 U.S.C 11435(2)):

Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence:

  • "Double up" - Sharing the housing of others due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.

  • living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds, due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations.

  • living in emergency or transitional shelters.

  • Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live.

  • Migratory children living in above circumstances

  • living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

  • Unaccompanied Youth - Children or youth who meets the definition of homeless

    and not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

 

Residency and Educational Rights:

Students who are in temporary, inadequate and homeless living situations have the following rights in South Newton School Corporation:

  • Immediate enrollment in the school they last attended or the school in whose attendance area they are currently staying even if they do not have all of the documents normally required at the time of enrollment

  • Access to free meals and textbooks, Title I and other educational programs and other comparable services including transportation

  • Attendance in the same classes and activities that students in other living situations also participate in without fear of being separated or treated differently due to their housing situations.

 

Procedures for the Dissemination of Educational Rights:

All schools within the South Newton School District shall ensure that public notice of the educational rights of students and families in homeless situations is disseminated where children and youth receive services under the McKinney-Vento Act. Posters of McKinney-Vento rights will be posted in English and Spanish in all school buildings, local shelters, local hotels/motels, local libraries, and local food banks. This will be done in a manner and form understandable to the parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youths (Appendix D).

 

SECTION 2: IDENTIFICATION AND ELIGIBILITY

 

Title 1 Services and Funding:

In South Newton School Corporation, all children and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento services are automatically eligible for Title I, Part A services, whether or not they attend a Title I, Part A school or meet the academic standards required of other students for eligibility (Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Sec.

1115(b)(2)(E); 20 U.S.C. 6315(b)(2)(E)). This automatic eligibility acknowledges that the experience of homelessness puts children and youth at significant risk of academic failure, regardless of their previous academic standing. Additionally, all South Newton School Corporation's children and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento services who are doing well academically are entitled to receive additional non-instructional education related support services needed to succeed in school.

 

School Selection:

South Newton School Corporation will keep students in homeless situations in their school of origin defined as the school attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled, unless it is against the parent or guardian's wishes or unless it is determined to be in the student's best educational interest. Students and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento Services are eligible to remain in their school of origin for the entire duration in which they are homeless and until the end of any academic year in which they move into permanent housing. Students and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento Services may also choose to enroll in any public school that students living in the same attendance area are eligible to attend. Upon determining best interest, South Newton School Corporation will utilize the IDOE resource, "Best Interest Determination" checklist, to offer guidance and transparency in decision making.

 

Procedures to Identify and Verify Eligibility of McKinney-Vento Students:

Every current and returning student in South Newton School Corporation must complete online registration prior to the academic year, and new student enrollment must be completed at the office of the school in which they will be enrolling. One of the forms to be completed online is the South Newton School Corporation's McKinney-Vento Residency Information Form (Appendix A). This South Newton School Corporation McKinney-Vento Residency Information Form will be utilized to determine if the student is facing a homeless situation. Follow-up contact to verify the information provided on the South Newton School Corporation's McKinney-Vento Residency Information Form

will be conducted within 5 days of the completion of enrollment by either the district or a building-level McKinney-Vento liaison.

 

SECTION 3: SERVICES AND STANDARDS

 

Transportation:

Each South Newton School Corporation child or youth facing a McKinney-Vento situation shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in the school selected including transportation services.

 

South Newton School Corporation will provide students and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento Services with transportation to and from their school of origin, at a parent or guardian's request. For unaccompanied youth, South Newton School Corporation will provide transportation to and from the school of origin at the request of the District McKinney-Vento Liaison. If the student's temporary residence and the school of origin are in the same district, South Newton School Corporation will provide and/or arrange transportation to and from school. If the student is living outside of the South Newton School Corporation, South Newton School Corporation will assume the responsibility and cost of providing transportation to and from school, and in the event of dispute or need for further coordination, until reaching agreement upon a method to equitably apportion responsibility for and costs of transportation to the school of origin.

 

Students and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento Services are eligible to receive these transportation services for the entire duration in which they are homeless.

 

*** "School of Origin" is defined as the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled.***

 

Food Services:

Each South Newton School Corporation child or youth facing a McKinney-Vento situation shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in the school selected including school nutrition programs. Students and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento Services are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch as offered by each school for the entire duration in which they are homeless.

 

Textbooks and Technology:

Each South Newton School Corporation child or youth facing a McKinney-Vento situation shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in

the school selected including access to instructional materials, assessments, and technology. Students and youth who qualify for McKinney-Vento Services are eligible to receive free textbooks and technology fees as offered by each school for the entire duration in which they are homeless.

 

Academic Services & Standards:

Each South Newton School Corporation child or youth facing a McKinney-Vento situation shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in the school selected including educational services for which the child or youth meet the eligibility criteria (Title I services, preschool, educational programs for children with disabilities or for students with limited English proficiency), programs in vocational and technical education, and programs for gifted and talented students as available.

 

SECTION 4: ENROLLMENT

 

 

Enrollment Procedures:

Any child or youth who claims to be homeless will be immediately enrolled in South Newton School Corporation, even if they do not have required documents such as:

  • school records

  • medical records

  • proof of residency

  • Guardianship papers or other documents.

 

Enrolling schools must obtain school records from the previous school, and students must be enrolled in school while records are obtained.

 

The McKinney-Vento District Liaison will assist unaccompanied youth in choosing and enrolling in a school after considering the youth's wishes, informing the youth of their rights to transportation and assisting the youth in accessing transportation, and informing the youth of their right to appeal school or school district decisions. The McKinney-Vento District liaison must ensure that unaccompanied youth are immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of disputes that may arise over school enrollment or placement.

 

Unaccompanied youth have the right to:

  • Remain in their school of origin

  • Transportation to and from the school of origin

  • Immediately enroll in a new school serving the area in which they are currently living even if they don't have typically required documents (e.g. proof of guardianship)

  • Equal access to programs and services such as gifted and talented education, special education, vocational education, and English Language Learner services.

 

South Newton School Corporation shall remove any I all barriers to the enrollment and retention of children and youth in homeless situations. Students in homeless situations shall be free from segregation, isolation, and stigmatization.

*** The term "enroll" is defined as attending classes and participating fully in school activities. ***

*** "School of Origin" is defined as the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled.***

 

Appeal and Dispute Processes:

If a dispute arises over school selection or enrollment in a school, the child or youth shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute. The child, youth parent, or guardian shall be referred to the McKinney-Vento District Level Team, who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible in accordance with the enrollment disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act as follows:

  • Work with the McKinney-Vento District and Building Level Liaisons to ensure that enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the enrollment disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act as follows:

    • The child or youth shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute; INDIANA EDUCATION FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN & YOUTH 7

    • The parent or guardian of the child or youth shall be provided with a written explanation of the school's decision regarding school selection or enrollment, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or youth to appeal

    • The child, youth, parent, or guardian shall be referred to the McKinney-Vento District Level Team, who shall carry out the Dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible after receiving notice of the dispute;and

    • In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the McKinney-Vento District Liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of the dispute.

 

***The McKinney-Vento District Level Team consists of McKinney-Vento District Liaison, Building Level Liaisons, and District Transportation Directors.***

 

If a dispute arises over qualification for McKinney-Vento services, the child or youth shall receive all McKinney-Vento rights and services provided by South Newton School Corporation, pending resolution of the dispute. The child, youth parent, or guardian shall be referred to the McKinney-Vento District Level Team, who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act as follows:

  • Work with the McKinney-Vento District and Building Level Liaisons to ensure that enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the enrollment disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act as follows:

    • The child or youth shall receive all McKinney-Vento rights and services, pending resolution of the dispute;

    • The parent or guardian of the child or youth shall be provided with a written explanation of the school's decision regarding school selection or enrollment (Appendix C), including the rights of the parent, guardian, or youth to appeal (Appendix B)

    • The child, youth, parent, or guardian shall be referred to the McKinney-Vento District Level Team, who shall carry out the Dispute resolution process as expeditiously as possible after receiving notice of the dispute;and

       

    • In the case of an unaccompanied youth, the McKinney-Vento District Liaison shall ensure that the youth receives all McKinney-Vento rights and services pending resolution of the dispute.

 

SECTION 5: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

 

 

McKinney-Vento Professional Development Opportunities:

Professional development for the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act will be available to all staff members of South Newton School Corporation via the following ways:

  • Additional Safe Schools Online Training: Students Facing Homelessness: Awareness and Understanding

  • McKinney-Vento District Level Collaboration

  • At Minimum, 1 Staff Team Meeting and/or After-School Professional Development: Meeting the Needs, Strategies, Solutions for Current McKinney Vento Population

 

District Website:

The South Newton School Corporation website will include a page that will be used to communicate McKinney-Vento information with students, parents, staff, and community members. Information on the South Newton School Corporation's Website will include:

  • Contact information for the McKinney-Vento District Liaison

  • Contact information for the McKinney-Vento Building Level Liaisons

  • Notice of Rights for McKinney-Vento Families

  • Dispute Resolution Documents

  • Transportation Rights

  • Link to McKinney-Vento Resources

 

SECTION 6: EDUCATIONAL STAFFING AND SUPPORT

 

 

McKinney-Vento District Liaison's Roles and Responsibilities:

The South Newton School Corporation Superintendent serves as the District McKinney-Vento Liaison for South Newton School Corporation and will:

  • Ensure that procedures are established and followed across the school district and provide each child or youth who qualifies for McKinney-Vento Services with a free and appropriate education.

  • Work collaboratively with transportation and food services personnel to coordinate appropriate services for any child or youth who qualifies for McKinney-Vento Services.

  • Disseminate critical information concerning the rights of students in homeless situations to all schools.

  • Post information regarding the availability of school programs and services for students facing homeless situations in local shelters, local hotels, the local post office building, city hall, local library, and local food banks.

  • Maintain a McKinney-Vento District Liaison Log to document the McKinney-Vento process for each child and youth who qualifies for McKinney-Vento services.

  • Plan and facilitate professional development regarding the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to all staff responsible for identifying and working with students facing homeless situations.

  • Work with building level staff and administration to facilitate success of the McKinney-Vento program and each student facing a homeless situation.

  • Meet with community agencies and volunteers to share resources and information and to evaluate the impact of services.

  • Monitor all district data collection and reporting requirements on each child and youth who qualifies for McKinney-Vento services.

  • Attend state level professional development opportunities.

 

McKinney-Vento District Liaison:

 

McKinney-Vento Building Level Liaison's Roles and Responsibilities:

Each school in the South Newton School District will identify one staff member (social worker, counselor, administrator, etc.) who will serve as a representation on the McKinney-Vento District Level Team and will:

  • Identify students that may be facing homeless situations.

  • Monitor school attendance.

  • Facilitate training at the building level.

  • Ensure that building level procedures are established and followed to provide each child and youth who qualifies for McKinney-Vento services with a free and appropriate education.

  • Post public notices of the educational rights of students in homeless situations at the school.

  • Make sure parents feel welcome and set the tone for further parental involvement.

  • Establish a trusting relationship with students and parents

 

McKinney-Vento Building-Level Liaisons:

Elementary:

Middle School:

High School:

 

McKinney-Vento State and Federal Resources:

 

McKinney-Vento State Coordinator Information

  • Name: Charlie Gibson, IDOE Homeless Education Specialist

  • Phone: 317-232-0957

  • Name: Flora Jones, IDOE Director Student Pathways & Opportunities

  • Email: MckinneyVentoPOC@doe.in.gov

 

Indiana Department of Education Website

 

Additional Resources and Supports