Homeless Support Services
Kannapolis City Schools is committed to ensuring that all students experiencing homelessness or in transition have access to a stable, quality educational experience in which additional support is available to promote academic and personal success.
If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact JoAnne Garay, the KCS homeless education liaison, at 704-938-1131.
Lisa Phillips, State Coordinator for Homeless Education
SERVE Center at UNCG
336.315.7491
Website: https://serve.uncg.edu/hepnc/index.php
Helpline: 800.308.2145
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. This Act protects all students who do not have a fixed, regular and adequate residence, such as students living in the following situations:
- doubled-up housing with other families or friends due to hardship;
- runaway/homeless youth shelters (even if parents invite the youth home);
- hotels or motels;
- shelters, including domestic violence shelters;
- transitional housing shelters;
- cars, abandoned buildings parks, the streets or other public spaces;
- campgrounds or inadequate trailer homes and/or
- abandoned in a hospital.
The McKinney-Vento Act addresses educational barriers and challenges created by homelessness by guaranteeing students experiencing homelessness the right to enroll in and attend school, and providing supports needed for school success. The law places the responsibility for ensuring the rights of homeless students on states and school districts. McKinney Vento eligible students have the right to:
- receive a free, appropriate public education;
- enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment, or having missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness;
- enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents;
- continue attending the school of origin, or enroll in the local attendance area school if attending the school of origin is not in the best interest of the student or is contrary to the request of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth;
- receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested by the parent or guardian, or by the local liaison on behalf of an unaccompanied youth; and
- receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to each student’s need.
For more information is available in this NCHE resource.