McKinney-Vento Education in Maine

What is the McKinney-Vento Act?

The Maine Department of Education and Maine schools follow the provisions of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This law helps students whose housing situations are impacting their education. All students are guaranteed the right to a free, appropriate, public education. They can remain enrolled in the schools they have been attending even if they are temporarily staying out of the district but also have the right to enroll in their new school of residence. To help keep students in school during times of housing instability, enrollment should be immediate, even if families cannot provide typically required documents or immunization records right away. Schools must provide transportation for students who need it to attend school. McKinney-Vento protections apply to all public school students, pre-K through grade 12 who “lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence”, including children and youth:

• Sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate housing
• Living in emergency or transitional housing
• Abandoned in hospitals
• Having a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
• Migratory students meeting the descriptions above

For Families: McKinney-Vento (2 minute video)

For Educators: McKinney-Vento (2 minute video)

For info on the dispute resolution process, click here.

For children not yet in public school, please contact the Child Development Services Liaison, Jackie Hersom at Jacquelyn.N.Hersom@maine.gov, or (207) 795 4022.

 

Looking for support in finding housing?

1. Check with your local Housing Navigator

• Aroostook County: Aroostook County Action Program, Presque Isle Housing Authority, Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness
• Kennebec, Somerset Counties & Brunswick: Immigrant Resource Center of Maine
• Androscoggin County: Lewiston Housing Authority, Immigrant Resource Center of Maine, ProsperityME
• Midcoast and Penobscot County: Penquis Community Action Agency, Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness
• Cumberland County - ProsperityME, South Portland Housing Authority
• York County - Quality Housing Coalition, York Community Service Association & Fair Tide

2. Hub Coordinator

3. General Assistance - Families may be eligible for General Assistance if they do not have the income or resources to meet basic needs. If you are unable to reach your local GA office or you have questions or concerns, call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-442-6003. General Assistance | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov) For help with legal assistance related to GA: General Assistance in Maine | Pine Tree Legal Assistance (ptla.org)

4. Local Housing Authority - Housing Authorities’ mission is to develop, provide and assist decent, safe and affordable housing for lower income persons. MaineHousing administers voucher programs in all areas of the state not served by a Local Housing Authority.

5. Local Shelter Provider– Even if an individual is not interested in staying at a shelter, many shelters have programs and resources to support finding housing for anyone facing homelessness in the community, regardless if they stay at the shelter or not. The shelters listed below provide emergency shelter. For information on other shelters or resources in your area, dial 2-1-1.

Other Statewide Resources

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Statewide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov) 
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov)
• MaineCare Health Care Assistance | Department of Health and Human Services (maine.gov)
• Good Shepherd Food Map Food Map | Maine Food Pantries | Good Shepherd Food Bank (gsfb.org)
• Maine Needs Maine Needs Basic material needs (clothing, hygiene products, household items)
• 211 211 Maine | Services Directory & Assistance Programs Connection to a range of services
• Help Me Grow Help Me Grow Maine Free service for pregnant families and children 0- 8
• Migrant Education Program Migrant Ed Program For families who work in agriculture or fishing