What Defines a Homeless Student?

Students who are considered to be homeless "lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence". This includes children or youth who are living in motels, hotels, campgrounds, transitional shelters, parks, cars, or any nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant to be used as a regular sleeping accommodation. This also includes children who fall into the following groups:

• Children waiting for foster placement
• Migratory Children who have night time accommodations that are not fit for habitation
• Unaccompanied youth who are not in physical custody of a parent or guardian
• Children who are denied housing by a parent or guardian
• Children or youth who are sharing a residence with another family
• Children living in shelters

Rights of Homeless Students:

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Assistance Act protects the rights of all homeless students by:

• Assuring they have a free, appropriate public education
• Identifying and providing assistance to meet academic and non-academic needs
• Ensuring barriers to education are eliminated

Dispute Resolution:

For purposes of homeless education and pupils, dispute resolution is the formal process available to districts/schools and parents/guardians/unaccompanied youth should a dispute arise regarding a pupil's eligibility for homeless services under federal and state law. The link provided clarifies the dispute resolution procedures:

McKinney-Vento Dispute Process

Sherrard Community Schools:

Sherrard Community Schools has a designated homeless liaison for the entire district. For information on services and supports for students who meet the definition of homeless, please contact Ms. Lexi Weihler using the following contact information:

Ms. Alexa (Lexi) Weihler, School Social Worker & Homeless Liaison
Sherrard Community Unit School District #200
(309) 593-2175
weihlera@sherrard.us

For further questions regarding the McKinney-Vento Act, please email homeless@isbe.net

Click here for additional information and forms needed to access services for homeless.