Homeless: McKinney-Vento

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) considers the school enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youth throughout Illinois as a high priority.

McKinney-Vento Children: Who Are They? 

McKinney-Vento eligible children are those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime abode.
In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the street, cars,
abandoned buildings, and other inadequate accommodations may be considered eligible for
McKinney-Vento services. This includes, but is not limited to, the following groups:

• Doubled-up Children living with another family due to a lack of permanent residence
• Children in shelters, including transitional living programs
• Children living in Motels due to a lack of an adequate living situation
• Migratory Children, if accommodations are not fit for habitation
• Runaways* children who have left home and live in a shelter or inadequate accommodations, even if parents are willing to provide a home
• Lockouts* children whose parents or guardians will not permit them to live at home

*These two categories are Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY), child not in the physical custody of their parent or court-ordered guardian and lack a fixed, regular and adequate abode.

McKinney-Vento Children: What Are Their Rights? 

• Choice of School McKinney-Vento Eligible children may attend their school of origin (school last attended or school attended when child lost permanent housing) or attend the school that serves their temporary living situation. Their Caregiver makes the choice.
• Immediate Enrollment even if medical or other records, birth certificates, transcripts, cannot be produced at time of enrollment
• Transportation if requested, transportation must be provided
• Preschool priority consideration to preschool programs for eligible young learners
• Free Lunch & Fee Waivers categorically eligible for free lunch
• Access to remote learning including meals, devices and WIFI access
• Supplemental tutoring if needed

If you think you may qualify for McKinney-Vento services please contact District 28's Director of Student Services. For more detailed information, please visit the North Cook Intermediate Service Center website. 

Settling Disputes

With your McKinney-Vento eligibility, you must be provided with a written explanation of the district’s intent to dispute. Your school district must also provide you with a list of low-cost or free legal services to assist you during the dispute/appeal process. Once you have received notice that your district has filed for dispute, please contact your regional liaison. In the event of a dispute, your Regional Office of Education or Intermediate Service Center will appoint a mediator. The mediator will set a meeting time that is convenient for you and the school district in an attempt to resolve the dispute. If you do not agree with the decision of the mediator, you can appeal to the Illinois State Board of Education.