The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The Act is a federal law that governs the educational rights of children and youth in homeless situations.  A student is considered to be “homeless” if, due to a lack of housing they must reside in a shelter, motel, vehicle or campground, on the street, in abandoned buildings or doubled-up with relatives or friends due to economic hardship or eviction.

What are Their Rights

Students that meet these criteria have the following rights:

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

• Enroll in the local school, or continue attending their school of origin (the school they last attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), whichever is in the student’s best interest.

• Receive transportation to and from their school of origin if requested.

• Remain in their school of origin for as long as they are still homeless or for the remainder of the school year if they find residency outside of the district.

• Participate in the same activities and programs offered to other children including free and reduced school nutrition and Head Start programs, as well as appropriate special education and Title I programs.

Resources

• McKinney-Vento Parent Rights

• McKinney-Vento Parent Guide

• Macomb Intermediate School District Homeless Students – In cooperation with local Macomb County school districts we can assist parents and their families while they are temporarily between homes.

• Macomb County Directory of Services

• Hearts for Homes – Assist working families with disabilities, with homeless children gain access to permanent housing.

• Lakeshore Legal Aid – Free legal help for low-income people and seniors (60+).

• Community First Health Centers – Homeless Health Care Program – Low or no-cost health care for eligible families.

• MyCare Health Center – Low or no-cost health care.

• Forgotten Harvest Mobile Pantry Event List – Updates weekly.

• Gleaners Mobile Pantry Event List – Updates weekly.

• Affordable Connectivity Program Internet Assistance – The Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.  To register, go to https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov.

• THAW: The Heat and Warmth Fund – THAW works with agencies across Michigan to provide emergency energy and utility help to households facing financial difficulties. THAW has multiple utility assistance programs available which are open to income-eligible Michigan residents. However, before seeking THAW assistance, we encourage you to contact your utility provider to see what options may be available to you. Grants to households are approved at the discretion of THAW staff and our agency partners. Watch our information video to learn more.  To apply, call 800-866-8429 or go to https://thawapplications.thawfund.org.

• Macomb County WRAP: Water Residential Assistance Program/Furnace Repair or Replacement – Available for qualified residents in some Macomb County communities. WRAP offers an individualized service plan to help residential customers in the Great Lakes Water Authority regions to pay past-due bills, get $25 monthly credit toward futures bills, receive plumbing repairs, and get water saving kits. May also be able to assist with furnace repair and/or replacement through the Weatherization program.  For water assistance, call 586-759-9156.  For furnace repair or replacement, call 586-469-6329.

• MI HUD/Section 8

• Housing Choice Voucher Information

• MI Bridges Informational Video – Click here to register/apply.

• WIC

• Macomb County Community Action – Emergency solution grants, low income water assistance, transportation, food assistance, rent and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, tax preparation, and more for Macomb County Residents.   For more information, call 586-469-5656 or send them an email.

• Wayne Metro Community Action – Offers property tax assistance, food support, water assistance, energy assistance, tax prep programs, financial coaching/education, housing stability and counseling services, mortgage support, domestic violence services, supportive services for veteran families, and more fo Wayne County residents.  For more information, call 313-388-9799 or send them an email.