Homeless Student Services
Families living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, on the street, with another family, or in inadequate accommodations may qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.
Lisa Campbell, Piedmont Schools Homeless Student Liaison, can assist families with the following:
- Identify homeless children and youth through outreach and agency coordination.
- Ensure homeless children are enrolled and given equal opportunities to succeed.
- Provide homeless families and children access to eligible educational services like Head Start, early intervention services under IDEA Part C, and other preschool programs.
- Provide referrals to healthcare, housing, and essential services for homeless families and children.
- Ensure families are informed about educational opportunities and can participate in their child’s education.
- Confirm notices of educational rights are shared in accessible locations like schools, shelters, and libraries.
- Ensure enrollment disputes are mediated per legal guidelines.
- Inform parents and unaccompanied youth about transportation services, including to their school of origin.
- Ensure school staff working with homeless students receive training and support.
- Ensure unaccompanied youth are enrolled, meet state academic standards, and receive FAFSA assistance as independent students.
Local Educational Agency and Local Liaison Responsibilities
Students living in these homeless situations should be quickly identified, immediately enrolled in school, begin receiving transportation needs and will automatically qualify for food services. Children qualified for services through the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act also have the right to continue in the school they attended before becoming homeless, in addition to receiving special services, if needed.
Homeless students are identified with the use of the Oklahoma State Department of Education's Student Enrollment Questionnaire. Homeless students are also identified through communication with state or local agencies or from families who may inform the school or District Enrollment Office of their living conditions.
For more information, or to make a referral for homeless student services, please contact Lisa Campbell, Piedmont Schools Homeless Student Liaison, at 405-373-2311.