McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance

If your family lives in any of the following situations:

• In a shelter, motel, vehicle, or campground
• On the street
• In an abandoned building, trailer, or other inadequate accommodations
• Doubled up with friends or relatives because you cannot find or afford housing

Then, your preschool-aged and school-aged children have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.

Your children have the right to:

• Go to school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there. They must be given access to the same public education, including preschool education, provided to other children.
• Continue in the school they attended before you became homeless or the school they last attended, if that is your choice and is feasible. If a school sends your child to a school other than the one you request, the school must provide you with a written explanation and offer you the right to appeal the decision.
• Receive transportation to the school they attended before your family became homeless or the school they last attended, if you or a guardian request such transportation.
• Attend a school and participate in school programs with children who are not homeless. Children cannot be separated from the regular school program because they are homeless.
• Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot require proof of residency that might prevent or delay school enrollment.
• Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.
• Enroll and attend classes in the school of your choice even while the school and you seek to resolve a dispute over enrolling your children.
• Receive the same special programs and services, if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.
• Receive transportation to school and to school programs.

Student Housing Questionnaire

Student Housing Questionnaire (Spanish) 

Student Housing Questionnaire (Russian)

Student Housing Questionnaire ( Samoan)

When you move, you should do the following:

• Contact the school district’s local liaison for homeless education (see phone number below) for help in enrolling your child in a new school or arranging for your child to continue in his or her former school. (Or, someone at a shelter, social services office, or the school can direct you to the person you need to contact.)
• Contact the school and provide any information you think will assist the teachers in helping your child adjust to new circumstances.
• Ask the local liaison for homeless education, the shelter provider, or a social worker for assistance with clothing and supplies, if needed.

Appeal Process

• Appeal Letter Explanation
• Appeal Letter of Denial

Contacts

Danielle Stanford, 253.800.6857

Echo Abernathy, 253.800.6852

Darius Alexander, 253.800.2251

If you need further assistance, call the National Center for Homeless Education at the toll-free Helpline number: 1.800.308.2145

Bethel School District Contacts

• Danielle Stanford: 253.800.2253
• Echo Abernathy: 253.800.2252
• Darius Alexander: 253.800.6050

Community Contacts

• United Way: 211
• Associated Ministries: 682-3401
• Community Voice Mail: 571-5960
• Dental Hotline: 798-6044
• Domestic Violence Helpline: 798-4166
• Community Health Care: 597-4550
• Crisis Helpline: 1-800-576-7764
• Energy Assistance: 572-5557
• Healthcare for the Homeless: 627-5445
• Homeless Childcare: 572-3213
• Family Support Centers: 798-6403
• TANF/DSHS: 476-7000
• Pierce Transit: 581-8000
• South Sound Outreach: 593-2111
• Public Health Information: 798-2987
• Tacoma Housing Authority: 207-4400
• Tacoma Schools Information: 571-1000
• Homeless Prevention/Rapid Rehousing (HPRP): 383-3056

Homeless: What does it mean?

• Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
• Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
• Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
• Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
• Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations

Unaccompanied Youth

Unaccompanied youth are young people experiencing homelessness who are not in the physical custody of a legal parent or guardian. If this definition applies to your situation, please reach out to your school or for help.

Student Housing Questionnaire
Student Housing Questionnaire (Spanish)
Student Housing Questionnaire (Russian)

What school should you choose?

You have two choices:

• Keep your child in the school your child was attending before you lost housing (school of origin). Your child may continue at the school for as long as you are experiencing homelessness.
• Enroll your child in the school that's within the boundaries of the temporary place where you are currently staying.

Can my child ride the school bus?

Yes. Your child’s school must help you get the transportation needed in order for your child to continue attending the school. Let them know of your situation immediately so they can make arrangements.

What records does the school need for my child?

• School records
• Birth Certificate
• Immunization records

The school must immediately enroll your child even if you can’t produce the records required right away.

Proof of residency is not required for enrollment of students experiencing homelessness. However, the school will need an address or some way to contact you. Records will help schools better serve you and your children.

Your right to be treated fairly

Your child can participate in all the same school activities as other children:

• Immediate enrollment 
• Before and after-school programs
• Counseling
• School breakfast and lunch
• Special education; bilingual; vocational
• Gifted programs
• School supplies
• Title I programs

If you believe the educational rights of your child have been violated or your child has been discriminated against, you can file a complaint at the school, through the McKinney-Vento liaison.

Your responsibilities

• If you are transferring your child, enroll your child in the new school right away.
• Ask the school for transportation if you need it.
• Ask if special tutoring or counseling is available to help make up for lost school time.
• Meet with your child’s teacher regularly to stay informed and connected. 
• Be sure your child attends school every day.

Who do you call if you have questions?

School District Homeless Liaisons

Danielle Stanford & Echo Abernathy
Bethel School District
516 176th St E
Spanaway, WA 98387
(253) 800-2253 & (253) 800-2252

If you have additional questions, please call:
Melinda Dyer, Program Supervisor
State Coordinator for the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
P.O. Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
360.725.6050  TTY 360.664.3631
Melinda.dyer@k12.wa.us
OSPI Homeless Education Webpage