Students in Transition: Homelessness

Students in Transition is a program of the Title I Department and exists to meet the District’s requirements to serve homeless students as stipulated under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  This federal law requires all school districts to provide students that are homeless with the same educational rights as other students.  Students that are homeless have the right to stay in their school for the duration of the school year and the district is obligated to provide transportation assistance while the family is homeless.

RIGHTS OF HOMELESS STUDENTS:

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Student Assistance Act protects the rights of all homeless students by:

  • Assuring they have a free, appropriate public education

  • Identifying and providing assistance to meet academic and non-academic needs

  • Ensuring barriers to education are eliminated

Who Qualifies for Services

A family is considered homeless if they lack a fixed, regular and adequate residence.  This may include:

  • sharing housing due to a loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;

  • living in hotels, motels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate housing;

  • living in emergency or transitional shelters;

  • abandoned in hospitals;

  • living in a public or private place not designated for, or 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 places;

  • living in one of the above circumstances and who are migratory according to the definition in Section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)].

Referrals to Services

KGBSD accepts referrals from community agencies, parents, and schools. If you know a child or youth who might qualify for our services call the superintendent’s office directly at 907-247-2109. Schools can complete a referral form but please get permission from the family before referring them to the superintendent’s office.

Eligibility is determined from July 1 of each year and a child remains eligible for the entire year even if they secure permanent housing.