Who are they?
A McKinney-Vento eligible child is one who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime living situation. In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the streets, cars, abandoned buildings, and other inadequate accommodations are considered eligible for McKinney-Vento services. This includes the following groups: •Children in Shelters •Doubled-up Children (living with another family due to lack of a permanent residence) •Children living in Motels due to lack of alternative adequate living situation •Migratory Children (if accommodations are not fit for habitation) •Runaways (children who have run away from home and live in a shelter or inadequate accommodations, even if parents are willing to provide a home)•Lockouts (children whose parents or guardians will not permit them to live at home)
These last two categories are UHY, child not in the physical custody of their guardian and lacking a fixed, regular and adequate place.

What are their rights? The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, as part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures homeless children the right to: •choose either to stay in the school of origin (school last attended or school attended when child lost permanent housing) or attend the school serving the area they are temporarily staying. Their Caregiver makes the choice. •immediate enrollment even if medical or other records cannot be produced at time of enrollment •receive assistance with transportation if needed •priority to preschool programs for eligible youngsters •free lunch and fee waivers
If you think you might qualify for McKinney-Vento services please contact your school, McKinney-Vento Liaison at (630) 365-4119, or 10161@kaneland.org. They will also have information on local community Resources.

Below are links to additional information and resources that you may find helpful.

Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Illinois Department of Public Health (IDHP)
Kane County Health Department (KCHD)
Homeless Youth Handbook
Goodwill Kane County Resources
Illinois Department of Human Services
Lazarus House (Shelter & Housing in Kane County)
Hope Haven(Shelter & Housing in DeKalb County)
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (of St. Gall Church, Elburn)
for families with financial needs, please call (630) 365-6030 and ask to talk with Mike Sims.

Educational Agencies Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
School Lunch & Internet Info for Low Income Families

Mental Health Support Agencies Tri-City Family Services(Geneva)
Riverview Counseling (St. Charles)
Family Service Agency (DeKalb County)
Batavia Suicide Prevention (Batavia)
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE

Substance Abuse Resources Rosencrance (Rockford)
Lighthouse Recovery (St. Charles)
Ben Gordon Center (DeKalb)