Daniel T. Connor
Superintendent

227 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-6720

District news

Is your housing uncertain? Learn about possible benefits through the McKinney-Vento Act

September 28, 2011 - Is your child's housing uncertain? Does a student you know live at a temporary address? He or she can still enroll in school and may get free transportation under the McKinney-Vento Act.

Who is covered?

Children and youth who don't have a fixed, adequate and regular nighttime residence, such as those living: in emergency housing; with friends or relatives because of loss of housing or economic hardship; in a motel, hotel or campground; in a car, bus or train station or other public place; in an abandoned building or some other inadequate accommodations; or in temporary situations while awaiting foster care placement.

What educational rights do students have when living in temporary housing?

They can: enroll in school and attend classes immediately; get free transportation; get free school meals without completing an application; participate in any school activity or program available to other students; and get special education services immediately if the student has a current IEP.

Where can students go to school when living in temporary housing?

They can choose from: the school they went to when permanently housed; the last school they went to; or the school located in the attendance area where they are temporarily living.

Students who transfer school often do not do as well in school that those who don't transfer. The McKinney-Vento Act can help solve this problem by allowing students to stay in the same school and get free transportation.

For more information, contact the district liaison, Deirdre Hallinan, at 615-6450. You can also find information on the website: WWW.NYSTEACHS.ORG