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  • Guidance & Sample Documents for McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons

Guidance & Sample Documents for McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons

Local educational agencies (LEAs) are required to ensure that the rights and services guaranteed in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act are implemented for all students experiencing homelessness. All LEAs must follow the requirements of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, regardless of if they are a recipient of an Education of Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) subgrant.

The LEA's McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison is required to develop, review, and revise policies and procedures to remove barriers to the identification, enrollment, and retention of students experiencing homelessness (42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(1)(I)), ESSA Arizona State Plan (K)(1); (K)(6)). Required in all LEAs regardless of subgrant status, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison is the primary contact between homeless families, school and LEA staff, shelter workers, and other service providers.

The ADE Office of the Coordinator has developed guidance documents and sample forms in alignment with both the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the ESSA Arizona State Plan. Please note that these documents have been developed for McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons to adopt and adapt to fit the needs of their LEAs. To edit a sample document, refer to the Converting Sample Documents for LEA Use Guidance Document.

Please check back frequently for additions and revisions.

New Resource!

We are excited to announce a new and highly requested guidance document, the LEA Homeless Education Program Guidance Documents and Forms List! The information in this document has been compiled to help support Liaisons as they endeavor to establish and conduct policies, practices, and procedures to ensure the removal of barriers for homeless children and youth within their LEA. This comprehensive list organizes all of the available sample documents found on this site with a description, corresponding statute, and link to each sample document.

 

As outlined in the Arizona ESEA Consolidated State Plan, all local education agencies (LEAs), including charters, are required to utilize the Arizona Student Residency Questionnaire and Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youths in the State of Arizona. Please access these documents and their corresponding requirements below.

  • Arizona Student Residency Questionnaire & Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youths

Local Educational Agency Liaison Duties

LEA McKinney-Vento Training Sign-in (ADE Sample)

LEA Collaborations with Community-Based Organizations (ADE Sample)

ADE Consent to Release of Information (ROI) Sample

Additional Resources

  • National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

    • Homeless Liaison Responsibilities (Liaison Toolkit)

  • SchoolHouse Connection

    • Assessing the Capacity of LEA McKinney-Vento Liaisons for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires State education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) to follow a dispute resolution process when parents, guardians, or unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) disagree with the LEA’s determination of eligibility for services, school selection, or school enrollment (42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(3)(E)). The purpose of the dispute resolution process is to ensure the objective consideration of each party’s input to resolve disagreements expeditiously and in compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act provisions.

The following dispute resolution forms are aligned with the dispute resolution process established in the Arizona ESEA Consolidated State Plan (42 U.S.C. § 11432(g)(1)(C)).

 

Student/Family vs. LEA Dispute Resolution Procedure and Form

Every LEA must have a written internal plan detailing the responsible personnel, process (i.e., sequential steps to be taken), and timeline required to provide written notification and assistance to parents, guardians, and UHY in filing disputes at both the LEA and SEA levels.

The LEA’s written dispute resolution procedure to address appeal requests at both the LEA and SEA-levels must reinforce the State dispute resolution procedure to facilitate the efficient and expedient resolution of disputes.

  • LEA-Level Dispute Resolution (Student/Family vs. LEA)

    • LEA-Level Dispute Resolution Procedure & Form (Student/Family vs. LEA) - ADE Sample
      • If the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied homeless youth is dissatisfied with the LEA’s determination of ineligibility for services, school selection, or school enrollment, they have the right to file an appeal with the LEA after receiving the written eligibility notification.
      • The LEA-Level dispute resolution process must be fully actioned BEFORE filing a SEA-level dispute resolution request.
  • SEA-Level Dispute Resolution (Student/Family vs. LEA)

    • SEA-Level Dispute Resolution Procedure (Student/Family vs. LEA)
      • If the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied homeless youth is dissatisfied with the LEA’s dispute resolution, they have the right to file an appeal with the Arizona Department of Education Office of Homeless Education within seven (7) business days of receiving the LEA’s written dispute resolution notification.
      • This form shall be used by the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied homeless youth AFTER the appeal process has been completed and a determination has been made at the LEA-level. 
      • Please contact the LEA’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison to obtain assistance in filing a SEA-level dispute resolution request. If needed, please refer to the Arizona McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison Contact List for the contact information for the LEA’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison.

 

LEA vs. LEA Dispute Resolution Form 

In the event of a dispute between two LEAs regarding eligibility for services, school selection, enrollment, or transportation of a child or youth experiencing homelessness, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons involved must file a dispute resolution request with the SEA.

  • SEA-Level Dispute Resolution (LEA vs. LEA)

    • SEA-Level Dispute Resolution Procedure (LEA vs. LEA)

      • This form shall be used by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons involved in an LEA vs. LEA dispute and outlines the process to file a request for a dispute resolution. 
      • If you are not the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison, please consult with the LEA’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison prior to submitting this form.

ADE Guidance and Sample Forms

  • Identification Process Guidance & Resources

  • ADE Identification & Eligibility Interview Questions & Checklist

  • ADE Written Notice of Eligibility & School Placement Determination Sample

  • ADE End of Year Notification Letter Sample

  • Re-Eligibility Determination Guidance & Resources

Additional Resources

  • National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

    • Identifying Children and Youth in Homeless Situations- Law into Practice Brief

    • How to Identify Homeless Students in Doubled-Up Situations

    • Confirming Eligibility for McKinney Vento Rights and Services

    • Common Signs of Homelessness

  • SchoolHouse Connection

    • Public Service Announcements: Raising Awareness and Reaching Families and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

ADE Guidance and Sample Forms

  • ADE Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit Sample Form

  • ADE Best Interest Determination (BID) Sample Form

  • ADE McKinney-Vento Attendance Procedure Sample

  • ADE Best Practice for 10-Day Unexcused Absences Drop from Enrollment

  • ADE Immunizations for Homeless Students Education of Homeless Children and Youth

Additional Resources

  • National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

    • Determining Eligibility for McKinney Vento Rights & Service-Best Practice Brief

    • Guiding the Discussion on School Selection- Best Practice Brief

  • SchoolHouse Connection

    • Removing Barriers to Online Enrollment for Students Experiencing Homelessness

  • Public Notice Poster for Parents-English

  • Public Notice Poster for Parents-Spanish

  • Public Notice Poster for Youth-English

  • Public Notice Poster for Youth-Spanish

  • Location of Public Notice Poster for Homeless Children and Youth (ADE Sample)

ADE Guidance and Sample Forms

  • Transportation for Students Experiencing Homelessness Reference Sheet 

  • ADE Transportation Best Practice Guidance Document

  • ADE Transportation Request Sample Form

  • ADE Transportation Route Details Sample Form

  • ADE Transportation Agreement Sample Form

  • ADE Bus Pass Agreement Sample Form

  • ADE Transportation Non-Usage Notification Letter Samples

    • 3rd Occurrence Letter Sample

    • 5th Occurrence Letter Sample

    • 10th Occurrence Letter Sample

  • Transportation Action Planning Tool

Additional Resources

  • National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

    • Transporting Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness-Law into Practice Brief

    • Transportation for Homeless Children and Youth: Strategies for Rural School Districts

ADE Guidance and Sample Forms

  • ADE Caregiver's Authorization Affidavit Sample 

  • McKinney-Vento and Refugee and Other Newcomer Students: Unaccompanied Youth

Additional Resources

  • National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

    • Supporting the Education of Unaccompanied Homeless Students-Law into Practice Brief

    • Unaccompanied Youth Eligibility Flow Chart

    • Increasing Access to Higher Education for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Information for Colleges and Universities Brief

  • SchoolHouse Connection

    • Homeless status verification letter for student for FAFSA

    • Help Homeless Youth Access Housing and Pursue Education

All local education agencies (LEAs) are required to report reliable, valid, and comprehensive data on homeless children and youth (HCY) and unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) to the State education agency (SEA), as mandated by 42 U.S.C. § 11432 (g)(6)(C). These data are reported to the U.S. Department of Education to determine Arizona's Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) allocation and guide programmatic decisions for the Arizona Homeless Education Program (HEP). Access information and comprehensive data related to the Arizona HEP by visiting the Arizona Homeless Education Program Data section of our website. 

The following resources are designed to support McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons collect and maintain reliable, valid, and comprehensive data on HCY and UHY.

  • McKinney-Vento Internal Tracking Sheet Sample
  • ADE HEP Sample Local Comprehensive Needs Assessment (LCNA)

The Arizona Homeless Education Program subgrants federal funds to local education agencies (LEAs) to enhance existing programming designated to serve children and youth experiencing homelessness. Access information regarding funding sources currently available to LEAs by visiting the Grant Funding section of our website. 

The following resources provide grant funding information and guidance for McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons and other LEA personnel. 

  • McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act - Allowable Use of Funds
  • Arizona Guidance on Title I, Part A Education of Homeless Children and Youth
  • Action Plan Template to Enhance McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Programming

ADE Guidance and Sample Forms

  • ADE Early Childhood Education Website

Additional Resources

  • National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE)

    • Early Care and Education for Young Children Experiencing Homelessness- Best Practice Brief

  • SchoolHouse Connection

    • Is My Early Childhood Program a McKinney-Vento "Preschool?"

    • Preschool to Prevent Homelessness: Research, Rights, and Resources

    • “Preschool” Under the McKinney-Vento Act

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  • February 2023

  • January 2023

  • Arizona Homeless Education Program Homepage
  • McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons
    • Guidance & Sample Documents for McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons
    • Training for McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaisons
    • McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison Contact List and Forms
  • Grant Funding
    • Education for Homeless Children & Youth (EHCY) Grant
    • American Rescue Plan - Homeless Children & Youth (ARP-HCY I & II) Grant
  • Homeless Education Program Monitoring
  • Arizona Homeless Education Program Data
  • Parents, Guardians, and Youth
  • Community-Based Organizations
  • Transportation Requirements for Local Education Agencies
Contact
  • Rita Rodriguez, State Homeless Education Program Coordinator
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