Homeless Outreach Services
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ensures the educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness is defined as having a lack of fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes children or outh who are living in:
motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
shared housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons;
a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
In order to assure that students in homeless situations have the opportunity to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school; the following services may be explored:
Immediate Enrollment Assistance
You can enroll your child even if you are missing immunization records, school records, and proof of residency.
Free School Meals
Transportation Services
School of Origin
Tips for Parents
Keep copies of critical records:
Immunizations
Social Security number
health physicals
individualized education programs (IEPs)
Ask questions
Is transportation available for my child to stay in the same school?
Will someone help us transfer records quickly when we move?
Is there a pre-school program?
Should my child be tested for special education?
Can my child receive free meals at school?
Are school supplies available?
Are there after-school study halls or tutoring available?
Are special counseling services available for my child?
What about students in Foster Care? See Foster Care Services
MISSION
We are entrusted with the task of helping our students who are experiencing homelessness. This help is offered in a variety of ways. We hope that this website will help you to understand the services we offer in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act and the State of Texas. We also hope that you will share this information with others you know so that together we can build a strong foundation for our students.
Community Services
Mexia ISD Homeless Outreach Services Quick Reference
Homeless Outreach
About McKinney-Vento:
The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act and Texas state law protect the rights of homeless children and youth to receive a free and appropriate public education.
Contact our office if families/students:
Don't have a permanent address. Don't live with a parent or legal guardian Live temporarily doubled-up with friends or family:
Sleep in a shelter
Sleep in a hotel/motel
Sleep in a campground, car, abandoned building, or other facility not deigned for, or ordinarily used as regular accommodations for human beings.
Don't have school records
SERVICES HOMELESS OUTREACH PROVIDES:
Immediate enrollment assistance
Assistance with acquiring needed documents, immunizations, etc.
School of Origin Transportation
Assistance with backpacks/school supplies , s
chool clothing
Referrals to Campus and Community Services
DISPUTE OF ELIGIBILITY, SCHOOL SELECTION, OR ENROLLMENT UNDER THE MCKINNEY-VENTO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT
To file a formal dispute under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (“Act”), please fill out this form completely and submit it by hand-delivery, e-mail, or U.S. Mail to the District’s liaison for homeless students (see contact information below). The Texas Education Agency recommends that you submit the form as soon as possible, and within 15 days of receiving the written explanation of the District’s decision. If a dispute arises over school selection or enrollment in a school, the child shall be immediately admitted to the school in which enrollment is sought, pending resolution of the dispute. The student will remain attending the school where enrollment is sought during the entire dispute resolution process.
If you need assistance filling out this form or if you have other questions, please contact the liaison for homeless students.
HOMELESS OUTREACH SERVICES
McKinney-Vento Liaison Designation and Duties
MISD in collaboration with the McKinney-Vento Liaison has established policies and procedures to inform Mexia ISD and campus staff annually of Mexia ISD McKinney-Vento Liaison duties and contact information. The following policies outline the purpose, duties, and designation of the homeless liaison for Mexia ISD.
FFC (Legal) Student Welfare: Student Support Services, 7/21/2020
Liaison for Students Who Are Homeless
As a condition of receiving funds under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento Act), a district shall designate an appropriate staff person, able to carry out the required duties, as the district liaison for homeless children. A district will adopt policies and practices to ensure participation by the liaison in professional development and other technical assistance activities provided and approved by the statewide coordinator for education of homeless children and youths.42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)
Notice
A district shall inform school personnel, service providers, and advocates working with homeless families, parents and guardians of homeless children, and homeless children of the duties of the liaison. [See FD for definition of “homeless children.”]
The liaison shall ensure that:
Homeless children are identified by school personnel and through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies;
Homeless children are enrolled in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in, district schools;
Homeless families and homeless children have access to and receive educational services for which they are eligible, including services through Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs) under the Head Start Act, early intervention services under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and other district preschool programs;
Homeless families and homeless children receive referrals to health care, dental, mental health and substance abuse, housing, and other appropriate services;
The parents or guardians of homeless children are informed of the available educational and related opportunities and are provided meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children;
Public notice of the educational rights of homeless children is disseminated in locations frequented by parents or guardians of such children, and unaccompanied youths, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and soup kitchens, in a manner and form understandable to the parents and guardians of homeless children, and unaccompanied youths;
Enrollment disputes are mediated;
The parent or guardian of a homeless child, and any unaccompanied youth, are fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin, and are assisted in accessing transportation to the school of enrollment;
School personnel providing services under the McKinney-Vento Act receive professional development and other support; and
Unaccompanied youths:
Are enrolled in school;
Have opportunities to meet the same challenging state academic standards as the state establishes for other children; and
Are informed of their status as independent students under section 480 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and that the youths may obtain assistance from the liaison to receive verification of such status for purposes of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. 42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(6)(A), (B)
Determination of Homeless Status
A liaison who receives training under 42 U.S.C. 11432(f)(6) may affirm, without further action by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, that a child who is eligible for and participating in a district program, or the immediate family of such a child, who meets the eligibility requirements of the McKinney-Vento Act for an authorized program or service under Title IV of the Act, is eligible for such program or service. 42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(6)(D)
Policy from FFC (Legal)
FDC (Local-A) Admissions: Homeless Students, 06/08/2023
Liaison for Homeless Students
The Superintendent shall designate an appropriate staff person as the District liaison for students who are homeless. [See FFC]
The liaison shall receive and provide to appropriate staff members professional development regarding services required by law to identify and meet the needs of students who are homeless. In addition, the liaison shall regularly review with campus admissions personnel the laws and administrative procedures applicable to students who are homeless.
Policy from FDC (Local)
The District has designated the following employee as the liaison for homeless students:
Name: Shelli Killingsworth
Position: Executive Director of Student Programs
Address: 616 North Red River, Mexia, Texas 76667
Telephone: (254) 562-4000 Ext. 1508