The McKinney-Vento Act was established to protect your child’s educational rights and to ensure that he or she continues to receive an appropriate education. You are not alone in this scary situation. Currently, 1.3 million children and youth are experiencing homelessness, from early childhood through high school graduation.

If you (student) or your family lives in any of the following situations then any school-age children have certain rights and protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. 

• In a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground
• On the street
• In an abandoned building, trailer, other inadequate accommodations, or
• Doubled up with friends or relatives because you cannot find or afford housing

The Northwood School District Homeless Liaisons listed below are here to help and assist you in making sure your child reaches his or her educational potential throughout this difficult time.  Your information is confidential and will only be shared with the appropriate personnel. 

McKinney-Vento Eligible Students have the right to:

• Go to school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there. You must be given access to the same public education provided to other students.
• Continue in the school they attended before you became homeless or the school they last attended, if that is your choice and it is feasible. One of the School District’s local liaisons for homeless education must assist you, if needed, and offer you the right to appeal a decision regarding your choice of school if it goes against your wishes. 
• Receive transportation to the school they attended before you became homeless or the school they last attended, if you request such transportation.
• Attend a school and participate in school programs with students who are not homeless. Students cannot be separated from the regular school program because they are homeless.
• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot require proof of residency that might prevent or delay school enrollment.
• Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.
• Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as applied to all other students served in these programs.
• Receive informational support and guidance to apply for assistance from community resources for essentials such as:  food, (within and outside of school) clothing, housing, utilities, college financial aid, school supplies, medical insurance, nutrition services, etc.

When you relocate, you should do the following:

• Contact the School District’s local liaison for homeless education for help enrolling your children in a new school or arranging to continue in their former school. If you need assistance, someone at a shelter, social services office, or the local school can direct you to the person you need to contact. 
• Consider these factors in deciding where it is best for your child to attend school:  Considerations in Determining Homelessness Best Interest Placement
• Tell your children’s teachers anything that you think they need to know to help them in school.
• Ask the local liaison for homeless education, the shelter provider, or a social worker for assistance with clothing and supplies, if needed.

Dispute Process

• If a parent/guardian of a student experiencing homeless disagrees with the placement decision made by the local Homeless Liaison, the parent/guardian can appeal the local Homeless Liaison’s decision by contacting the SAU Director of Student Services by calling 603-942-1290.  Further appeals may be made to the SAU 44 Superintendent by calling 603-942-1290. The New Hampshire State Coordinator for Homeless Education can be contacted in the case of disputes still unresolved after appeal to the Director and Superintendent.  More information is provided here: SAU 44 Procedure for Resolving School Enrollment Disputes for Homeless Students Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001
• Please see McKinney-Vento School Enrollment Requirements and NHED Homeless Education Dispute Resolution Process for information regarding the NH State Level Dispute Resolution process for students experiencing homelessness.
• Please note that Unaccompanied Youth will be assisted throughout the appeal process by the local Homeless Liaison, as specified in the McKinney Vento legislation.

State and Federal Resources

Information on this page is provided by the National Center for Homeless Education and the State of New Hampshire Education Department of Education. Please visit them online at www.nche.ed.gov and NH Department of Education, Homeless Children and Youth Program

The Homeless Program at the New Hampshire Department of Education provides resources and services to districts, schools, professionals, volunteers and people in need of assistance to better understand laws pertaining to the rights of homeless children and youth, and the responsibilities and obligations that educational agencies must abide by under.

The New Hampshire State Coordinator for Homeless Education is: