Homeless Statement

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Sequoyah Public Schools provides all eligible students under this provision the equal opportunity to access educational services. Strict confidentiality procedures are followed. An indicator is placed in the student information system that is password protected and only seen by those granted specific access.

A student who meets at least one of the following criteria is eligible:

• The family lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
•  Shares the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason(s).
• Lives in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or on camping grounds due to lack of other housing.
• Lives in an emergency or transitional shelter.
• Has a primary nighttime residence that is not a place for regular sleeping arrangements.
•  Lives in a car, park, public place, abandoned building, or in substandard housing.

If the student’s best interest supports enrollment in the school of origin, the district will ensure that transportation is provided as follows:

• If the student continues his/her education in the school of origin but begins living in an area served by another district, the district of origin and the district in which the student is living must agree how to apportion responsibility and costs for providing transportation to and from the school of origin.
• If the districts can’t agree upon a method, responsibility and costs for transportation are shared equally.

Sequoyah Public Schools has appointed Lynn Schroeder as the District Homeless Liaison. Should you have question, she can be reached at 918-341-5472 or lynn.schroeder@sequoyaheagles.net. Her duties related to the McKinney Vento Act are as follows:

Works to prevent school difficulties by assisting homeless children/youth with their educational needs.

Assists with immediate enrollment of homeless children/youth, including obtaining academic and medical records.

Disseminates public notice of the educational rights of homeless children/youth, including guidelines of the McKinney Vento Act.

Serves as district liaison with community agencies and services

Prohibits the segregation of homeless children and youth.

Provide training for school staff regarding identification and services for homeless children/youth.