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Meriwether Elementary School

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Homeless Assistance

Homeless Assistance

Your school-age children may qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act If your family lives in any of the following situations:

  • In a shelter
  • In a hotel/motel or campground due to lack of an alternative adequate accommodation
  • In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station
  • Doubled-up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship

Eligible children have the right to:

  • Receive a free, appropriate public education.
  • Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
  • Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
  • Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible.
    • If the school district believes that the school you selected is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
  • Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
  • Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs. 

If you have a student who may qualify for McKinney-Vento services, or if you need more information, please contact Taylor Velazquez, McKinney-Vento Coordinator, call 253-583-5156.

  • The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was authorized by Congress in December 2001, as part of the No Child Left Behind Legislation. The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act is to remove barriers to education for homeless/transitional students and provide educational stability.

    Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students have the right to remain in attendance at the school they were going to when they were last permanently housed. This is known as their "school of origin." Clover Park School District will do everything possible to ensure that students have the ability to remain in their school of origin, and to succeed academically. CPSD will provide transportation assistance and free meals for all eligible homeless students. Tutoring and other academic assistance, including school supplies and clothing, are also available. 
    ​​​​​​​McKinney-Vento Act of 1986

  • Any child or youth who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless, including those who are temporarily sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship. This includes children and youth who are living in hotels; camping grounds; emergency shelters; cars; bus or train stations, or other similar settings; unaccompanied youth; transitional housing programs and children in foster or temporary placements. If you are not sure if a child qualifies, call 253-583-5157.

  • Clover Park schools provide equal and comparable access to all students regardless of their home living situation. McKinney-Vento eligible children and youth have specific rights, including the right to:

    • Maintain attendance at the school of origin (if this is in the child's best interest), or enroll in the local school where currently residing;
    • Receive assistance with transportation;
    • Become eligible for free meals;
    • Receive assistance obtaining needed records and documentation;
    • Receive support services and programs for which they are eligible, such as gifted education, children with disabilities, vocational education, and preschool;
    • Receive academic assistance through the district's federally funded Title I program;
    • Have parent or guardian involvement in school activities; and
    • Maintain enrollment in the current school for the remainder of the school year (with transportation assistance, if needed).