McKinney-Vento Homeless and Foster Care Programs

“The McKinney-Vento Homeless and Foster Care Programs at Guadalupe Centers Schools proudly serves students and their families by connecting them to community resources and agencies providing food, clothing, employment, emergency services, housing and utility assistance.“

McKinney-Vento (Homeless) Program

Services Offered:

  • Transportation to and from school (if applicable)

  • Enrollment advocacy

  • School supplies, uniforms, books

  • Tutoring and counseling

  • Referrals for clothes and food

  • Hygiene items

  • Housing referrals

  • Medical and dental vouchers

  • Birth certificate assistance

  • Cap and gown fee

Who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services?

A student or family that lives:

  • doubled-up with friends or relatives on a temporary basis

  • in a park, motel or campground

  • in a shelter

  • in a vehicle

  • on a street

  • as a runaway

A McKinney-Vento student has the right to:

  • Attend their school of origin (known as the “home school”) or the school for the area where the student currently lives.

  • Immediately enroll in school without providing documents, including proof of residency.

    • (Schools MUST permit you to enroll, even if you do not have these documents.)

They have 30 days to provide the following:

  • Birth certificates

  • Immunization records

  • Physicals (as needed)

  • Social Security cards

  • Notarized forms

Foster Care Program

As a Local Education Agency, we will ensure that a child in foster care enrolls or remains in his or her school of origin unless a determination is made that is not in the child’s best interest.

  • If a child’s foster care placement changes, the school of origin would then be considered the school in which the child is enrolled at the time of placement change.

We will collaborate with Child Welfare Agencies to ensure that each child in foster care remains in his or her school origin if it is determined to be in their best interest for the duration of the child’s time in foster care.

We will consider all factors when determining whether a child should remain in his or her school of origin .

  • Appropriateness of current educational setting

  • Proximity to the school in which the child is enrolled at time of placement

  • Preferences of the child, parent(s), or education decision maker(s)

  • Placement of child’s siblings

  • Child’s attachment to school

  • Availability and quality of services to meet the child’s education and emotional needs

  • History of school transfers and how they have impacted the child

  • The length of commute based on the child’s developmental stage

  • Needs of students with disabilities under IDEA or Section 504

  • Needs of an EL student who is receiving language services

Contact:

McKinney-Vento Liaison and Foster Care Liaison

Mayra Farias

816-702-7279