Lufkin ISD offers services to unaccompanied, homeless and foster students and their families in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Act to ensure their academic success. The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that provides services to families and unaccompanied youth that live in a temporary situation due to loss of housing
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, defines “homeless children and youths” as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” However, because the circumstances of homelessness vary with each family or unaccompanied youth, determining the extent to which the family or youth fits the definition must occur on a case-by-case basis.
The education provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act ensure educational rights and protection for children and youth experiencing homelessness. For those who are eligible these rights include the ability to continue to attend the last school you were enrolled, transportation to school of origin, enrollment in the Free-Reduced-Price Lunch program and contact with the district liaison to resolve enrollment disputes.
The term “homeless children and youth” refers to individuals who lack fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence. It includes but is not limited to:
- Living in shared housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, cars, substandard housing, abandoned buildings, and/or campgrounds.
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters
- Being an unaccompanied youth (not living with a parent or guardian) living in a temporary situation due to a loss of housing
- Being a migratory child who is living in any of the above situations.
Parent and Student Educational Rights
- Immediate enrollment
- Removal of barriers to school enrollment
- School selection
- Transportation assistance (school bus)
- Immediate eligibility for free child nutrition
If you feel you meet this definition of homelessness please contact our McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison for assistance: Tonja Akridge (936) 630-4287, takridge@lufkinisd.org
Angelina County resource flier (PDF)
