Definition of Homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines homeless children and youths as those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The law provides several examples of situations that meet the definition. This includes children and youths:

• 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; and/or
• living in one of the above circumstances and who are migratory.

Supports and Resources Available Under the McKinney-Vento Act

Children and youth who are identified as homeless/in transition are entitled to certain educational rights under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.  These rights will be explained to you by one of the homeless liaisons.  Some of these rights MAY include:

• Immediate school enrollment and enrollment assistance, including help in obtaining school records, immunization and health records, and special education records
• The ability to continue attending the school they went to when permanently housed and receive transportation assistance (if eligible) or attend the school located in the attendance area where they are temporarily living.
• FREE breakfast/lunch
• Waived school fees
• Assistance with obtaining necessary school supplies/materials
• Waived extracurricular activities fees 
• Waived field trip/material fees
• Participation in any school activity or program available to non-homeless students
• Assistance obtaining personal hygiene supplies and basic clothing needs
• Translation and EL services
• Referrals to other community resources, social services agencies, and programs that can assist homeless/transitional families with basic needs
• Assistance with the appeal process if you feel your rights have been denied

How are students identified?

At the beginning of the school year or at the time of enrollment into the Burlington Area School District, families complete a questionnaire as part of the school registration process. Upon completion, the school districts’ homeless liaisons review the responses to identify families who may need to be contacted to gather more information regarding the family’s living situation.

Once further information has been collected, the homeless liaison determines whether or not the student qualifies for services under the McKinney-Vento Act. If the student qualifies, the homeless liaison will proceed with working with the family to determine what supports they would benefit from and ensure they are put in place.

What do you do if you think your child may qualify?

Please contact your child's school or email: mkv@basd.k12.wi.us
and your child’s school social worker will be in touch with you.

School Contact Information:
Cooper Montessori School: (262) 763-0180
Dyer Elementary School: (262) 763-0220
Waller Elementary School: (262) 763-0185
Winkler Elementary School: (262) 539-2726
Karcher Middle School: (262) 763-0190
Burlington High School: (262) 763-0200
PAC House: (262) 767-1909
Fox River Consortium: (262) 767-2626
Wisconsin Connect Charter School: (262) 763-0210 

To speak to someone in Spanish, please call: (262) 698-3964

Wisconsin dpi state coordinators:

• Clara Pfeiffer, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Grant Specialist, Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)
  • Phone: (608) 261-6324
  • Email: Clara.Pfeiffer@dpi.wi.gov
• Kristine Nadolski, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Education Consultant, Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)
  • Phone: (608) 267-7338
  • Email: Kristine.Nadolski@dpi.wi.gov