HANDS of HOPE
Union County Community Action's Hands of Hope is partnership with the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). This new partnership aims to educate families, partner with local community resources, and advocate for legislataion to address issue of children and families experiencing homelessness.
Pre-School Children and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento
Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth program,
reauthorized as part of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, entitles
homeless children to a free, appropriate public education,
including a pre-school education. [721(1)]
- States must
ensure that homeless children have equal access to the same public preschool
programs, administered by the State agency, as provided to other children in
the State. [722(g)(i)(F)(i)]
- Under the
McKinney-Vento Act, every LEA must designate a liaison for students in
homeless situations. [722(g)(1)(J)(ii)]
- LEA homeless
liaisons must ensure that ensure that homeless children are identified,
immediately enrolled in school, informed about educational rights, including
transportation, and receive educational services for which they are eligible,
including Head Start, Even Start programs and preschool programs administered
by the LEA. [722(g)(6)(A)(iii)]
- State Coordinators for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth must coordinate with social services agencies, child development and preschool program personnel and other agencies to provide comprehensive services to preschoolers [722(f)(4) and (5)(A)]
For more information please contact Kishi Tillman, Family Service Manager @ 704-283-1114 ext. 223.