The Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program ensures that homeless students are provided a free, appropriate public education despite lack of a fixed place of residence or a supervising parent or guardian. Under NCLB Title X, the educational rights of homeless children and youth are protected by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act's Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program. The Law requires that state education agencies and school districts ensure that young people in homeless situations have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including preschools, as provided to other children and youth (McKinney-Vento Act, Subtitle VII-B, Section 721 [1]).

Local Education Agency Duties and Responsibilities

Every Local Education Agency (LEA) must designate an appropriate staff person as a liaison for students in homeless situations. This person may also be a coordinator for other federal programs. This brief explains the duties of the homeless liaison and offers strategies for implementing the McKinney-Vento provisions in a schoool district.

Basic Information on Homeless Education
EVERY CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION

The federal Mckinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act and Texas state law protect the rights of homeless children and youth to receive a free and appropriate public education. Nearly everyone in Texas who is between the ages of 5 and 21 on September 1 of the school year and has not been expelled has the right to attend school, even if they:

• don't have a permanent address
• have a previous address in another town or state
• don't live with a parent of legal guardian
• live temporarily doubled-up with friends or family
• sleep in a shelter
• sleep in a campground, car, abandoned bulding, or other facility not designated for, or ordinarily used as regular accommodations for, human beings
• don't have school records
  
  Homeless Plan 2009-2010
  Student Residency Questionnaire
  Plan for Homeless fax cover sheet
  Student Referral Form
  Resources

For any additional information please contact:

Ernesto Rodriguez, Executive Director for Research & Development/
Homeless Liaison
San Elizario I.S.D. Administration Office
1050 Chicken Ranch Rd./P.O. Box 920., San Elizario, Texas 79849
(915) 872-3900 ext: 3544
erodriguez@seisd.net

Nora Garcia, Social Worker
Excell Academy Adult Learning Center
13680 Socorro Rd./P.O. Box 920., San Elizario, Texas 79849
(915) 872-3915 ext: 3206
norag@seisd.net