Homeless Services - St. Charles Public Schools

 

The importance of a stable, quality education in the life of a homeless child is immeasurable. St. Charles Public Schools ensures the provision of educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.
 
Who is considered homeless?


A homeless individual is someone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
This includes anyone who, due to a lack of housing, lives:

 
  • In emergency or transitional shelters.
  • In motels, hotels, trailer parks, campgrounds, abandoned in hospitals, awaiting foster care.
  • In cars, parks, public places, bus or train stations, abandoned buildings.
  • Doubled up with relatives or friends.
  • Migratory children living in these conditions.
 
What rights do homeless children have?
 
  • To go to school, no matter where the child lives or how long the child has lived there.

  • Continue in the school they attended before becoming homeless or the school last attended, if that is the choice and is feasible.

  • Receive transportation to the school attended before becoming homeless or the school last attended if requested by the parent/guardian.

  • Attend a school and participate in programs with children who are not homeless.

  • Enroll in school without giving a permanent address.

  • Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for the transfer of school and immunization records or any other documents required for enrollment.

  • Receive the same special programs and services (e.g., preschool, free or reduced school meals, ESL, special education, Title I, gifted and talented services, vocational/technical education, and before-and after-school care), if needed, as provided to all other children served in these programs.
CONTACT

For questions or to learn if you/your child are eligible for services through the District, please contact Ryan Ihrke, St. Charles Public Schools Homeless Education Liaison, at (507) 932-4910 or e-mail him at rihrke@schs.k12.mn.us