Mckinney

McKinney-Vento/Homeless Services for Families in Transition

Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District's Families In Transition (FIT) program provides assistance to students living in temporary housing.  It is a federally funded program that assists families with school-aged children to overcome barriers to full participation in the public education system, including identification, enrollment and referral services.

If your family lives in any of the following situations: 

  • In an emergency, transitional, or domestic violence shelters

  • A motel or campground due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations

  • In a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station

  • Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

  • Unaccompanied homeless youth: child or youth who meets the McKinney-Vento definition and is not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian

  • Migratory children who are living in the circumstances described above

Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Your child may be eligible to:

  • Receive a free, appropriate public education

  • Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment

  • Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents

  • Enroll in the local school or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled) if that is your preference and is feasible.

  • If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.

  • Receive transportation to and from the school of origin if you request this

  • Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children's needs.

If you believe your child(ren) may be eligible or you know of an MCPASD student who may be in transition, please contact:

Amy Poole
FIT (Families In Transition) Coordinator
Phone: (608) 829-9738
apoole@mcpasd.k12.wi.us

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Eligibility

Any school-aged student living in a shelter or other McKinney Vento defined homeless situation is eligible. Examples include:

  • Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason

  • Staying in emergency shelters

  • Temporarily living in a motel or hotel due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason

  • Living in a car, park, campground, abandoned building or other inadequate accommodation

  • Living in transitional housing (case management and subsidy and time limited)

  • Living in other situations that are not fixed, regular or adequate for nighttime residence

  • Migratory children who live in any of the circumstances as described above

  • Children/youth living in a homeless situation who are also not under the care of a parent and/or legal guardian

Rights

Under the McKinney Vento Act, your school-age child/children may qualify for certain rights and services such as:

  • Receive a free, public education.

  • Immediate enrollment in school, even if your child or children are lacking documents normally required for enrollment.

  • Enroll and attend school. Your child or children have the right to attend the school of residence or the school of origin. The school of origin is where the student was last enrolled or where they attended school when permanently housed.

  • Remain enrolled in the student’s selected school for the duration of homelessness or through the academic year if they become permanently housed. 

  • Receive transportation services to and from school.

  • Access to the same programs and services that are available to all students. 

  • If a dispute arises over school selection or the initial/on-going enrollment in a school, the student or family has the right to initiate the appeal process.