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Rights and Eligibility of Homeless & Highly Mobile Students

Rights and Eligibility of Homeless & Highly Mobile Students
Black Handled Key on Key Hole

Is your housing situation uncertain? 

The term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence as those terms are defined by law.  They include:  

  1. Children and youth who are sharing the housing of another person (“doubled up” or “couch hopping”) due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons. This includes youth who were kicked out of their home AND youth who chose to leave home;
  2. Children and youth who are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations. This includes youth who were kicked out of their home AND youth who chose to leave home;
  3. Children and youths who are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals. This includes youth who were kicked out of their home AND youth who chose to leave home;
  4. Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings. This includes youth who were kicked out of their home AND youth who chose to leave home,  and,
  5. Migratory children      

McKinney Vento Rights

Students identified as Homeless Highly Mobile have the right to:

  1. Receive a free, appropriate public education
  2. Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
    1. Unaccompanied homeless youth can enroll on their own without a parent/guardian 
  1. Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
  2. Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin if that’s your preference
  3. Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested
  4. Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children’s needs

Contact the Transition Plus school social worker at: 612-668-4100

District HHM Manager: Takara Dudley 612-668-5480

Minnesota Department of Education State Homeless Education Coordinator 651-582-8579