If you need access to services feel free to contact our District Homeless Liaison:
Jill Perenteau
(603) 660-5762
The McKinney-Vento Act states that homeless children and youth are those that lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
The McKinney-Vento Act provides certain rights and protection for children and youth experiencing homelessness. SAU 19 has adequate resources and policies in place (see Policy FFABD) to accommodate the needs of every student as well as an appointed McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison to provide homeless students with any necessary assistance. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Jill Perenteau, District Homeless Liaison
A student is considered “homeless” if he or she lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, including:
- Sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to a lack of alternative, adequate accommodation
- Living in emergency & transitional shelters
- Abandoned in hospitals
- Living in public or private places not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations for human beings
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations or similar situations
- Migratory children living in the above situations
Know your educational rights!!! Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, children and youth in homeless situations have the right to:
- Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records or immunization / medical records
- Enroll, attend classes and participate fully in all school activities while the school gathers records
- Attend either the local school or the “school of origin”, if this is in the best interest of the student. The “school of origin: is the school the child attended when he / she was permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled
- Receive transportation to and from the “school of origin” if in the best interest of the student
- Have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other student
- Free breakfast and lunch for the school year