Defining Homeless Children and Youth

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, the term "homeless children and youths" refers to individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

• Fixed: A residence that is stationary, permanent, and not subject to change.

• Regular: A residence used on a predictable or routine basis.

• Adequate: A residence that is sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in a home environment.

Examples of Qualifying Situations:

• Doubled-Up: Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

• Motels/Hotels: Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to a lack of alternative adequate accommodations.

• Shelters: Living in emergency or transitional shelters.

• Unsheltered: Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, or bus/train stations.

• Unaccompanied Youth: Children or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian who meet the criteria above.

Signs of Homelessness

Because families often fear the stigma associated with homelessness, students may not self-identify. Educators should look for these subtle indicators:

Attendance - Frequent moves between schools, erratic attendance, or chronic tardiness.

Physical Appearance - Wearing the same clothes for several days, poor hygiene, or lack of weather-appropriate clothing.

Health/Nutrition - Chronic hunger (hoarding food), fatigue (falling asleep in class), or unmet dental/medical needs.

Academic/Social - Missing supplies, inability to complete homework, or anxiety late in the school day (fear of where they will go after the bell).

Statements - Mentioning "staying with a friend," "moving around a lot," or "staying at a motel until things get settled."

Rights of McKinney-Vento Students

Students identified under McKinney-Vento are entitled to specific protections to ensure their education is not interrupted by housing instability:

• Immediate Enrollment: Students must be enrolled in school immediately, even if they lack normally required documents such as birth certificates, immunization records, or proof of residency.

• School of Origin: Students have the right to stay in the "school of origin" (the school they attended when they first became homeless) for the duration of their homelessness, if it is in their best interest.

• Transportation: The LEA must provide transportation to and from the school of origin at the request of the parent, guardian, or liaison.

• Free Meals: Students are automatically eligible for free school meals (Title I) without a separate application.

• Full Participation: Students have the right to participate in all school activities, including extracurriculars, sports, and field trips, with fees often waived.

Dispute Resolution: If a dispute arises over school selection or enrollment, the student must be immediately enrolled in the school the parent/youth prefers while the dispute is being resolved

District Homeless Liaison

Dr. Loren Baele

Office Phone: 309-697-3367 Ext. 1001

Email Address: lbaele@og68.org

"As the Local Educational Agency (LEA) Homeless Liaison, I am here to ensure that every student has a stable path to education, regardless of their housing situation. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law designed to remove barriers to enrollment and retention in school."

Dr. Baele - Superintendent

Local Service Provider

Peoria County ROE #48

• Focus: Technical assistance for district liaisons, dispute resolution, and administering the McKinney-Vento sub-grant.

Nicole L. Tankersley

Family Support Specialist

Homeless Liaison

Regional Office of Education

Phone: 309-204-5193

Email: ntankersley@peoriaroe.org

Emergency Shelters and Housing

• Dream Center Peoria (DCP): * Services: Operates the only 24/7 emergency shelter in the area specifically for women and children. They also offer "The Village," a supportive housing program for families. (309) 676-3000

• The Salvation Army - Peoria Citadel: * Services: Provides emergency family shelter, food assistance, and "Pathway of Hope" case management to help families break the cycle of crisis. 1-800-SAL-ARMY

• Pathway Ministries (formerly Peoria Rescue Ministries): Provides emergency shelter and long-term residential programs for men and women (separate facilities). (309) 676-6416

• Center for Prevention of Abuse (CFPA):

  Offers emergency safe shelters in Peoria and Pekin for families fleeing domestic violence—a common cause of McKinney-Vento eligibility. 1-800-559-7233

Support Services and Basic Needs

• The Center for Youth & Family Solutions (CYFS): Specializes in runaway and homeless youth (RHY) services, providing crisis intervention and counseling for unaccompanied youth in Peoria. (309) 323-6600

• Heart of Illinois 2-1-1: The central hub for all referrals. Families can call 2-1-1 (or 309-999-4029) to find real-time availability for food pantries, rent assistance, and healthcare.

• Peoria Township Relief: Provides emergency assistance for low-income residents, often helping with utility payments or basic needs to prevent total displacement.

• Limestone Township Relief: Provides emergency assistance for low-income residents, often helping with utility payments or basic needs to prevent total displacement.