HOMELESSNESS IN FWSU

McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless [42 U.S.C. §11434(a)(2)] as defined by the Vermont Agency of Education

The term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and includes children and youths who:

  • Share the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason

  • Live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations

  • Live in an emergency or transitional shelters

  • Are abandoned in hospitals

  • Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not normally used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings

  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings

  • Are migratory and qualify as homeless because they are living in the circumstances described in the above situations

    Read More: https://education.vermont.gov/student-support/federal-programs/homeless-education

FWSU Homeless Liaison

Rachel McIntyre
rmcintrye@fwsu.org
(802) 370-3110
ext. 41150

Printable Flyers

BFA Fairfax
GEMS
Fletcher Elementary
FWSU

Who Should I Contact?

If you are experiencing homelessness or believe you would qualify for support under the McKinney Vento Act, we can help. Each building in FWSU has a homeless designee:

In addition, please reach out directly to your child's counselor or classroom teacher and they can help direct you to where you need to go.

Rights of Eligible Children and Youth 

Read More: https://education.vermont.gov/student-support/federal-programs/homeless-education

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act guarantees educational rights and supports for students experiencing homelessness. In general, McKinney-Vento eligible students have a right to:

  • Equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including public preschool education, as is provided to other children and youth [42 U.S.C. §11431(1)

  • Immediate enrollment, even when records normally required for enrollment are not present [42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(3)(C)]

  • Remain in the school of origin, if it is in the student’s best interest, in order to maintain educational stability [42 U.S.C. §11432 (g)(3)(A)]

  • Access all educational and related services for which they are eligible [42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(6)(A)(iii)], including Title I services and free school meals

  • Full participation in school, which may include participation in extracurricular activities [42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(1)(F)(iii)]

  • Transportation, provided by the LEA, to and from the school of origin [42 U.S.C. §11432(g)(1)(J)(iii)]

Resources & Technical Assistance

Read More:(https://education.vermont.gov/student-support/federal-programs/homeless-education)

National Resources

National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE): NCHE provides research, data, and technical assistance to support educators and service providers in addressing the educational needs of children experiencing homelessness.

National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY): NAEHCY provides technical assistance and best-practice implementation strategies to support educators, administrators, service providers, parents and youth.

SchoolHouse Connection Q&A: SchoolHouse Connection is a national non-profit organization that engages in policy advocacy and provides technical assistance and resources to educators, service providers, families, and youth. Above is the link to the searchable FAQ featuring actual questions from educators, service providers, and the public about the education of students experiencing homelessness. 

Vermont Resources

Frequently Requested Resources

Internal Use - Making a Referral

If you are a FWSU faculty or staff member and believe that one of our students is homeless, please make a confidential referral to the School-based Homeless designee in your building by completing the form linked below. The Homeless designee will work with the family and a small group of the student's school team to make a plan to best support the student.

FWSU Referral Form