McKinney-Vento Homeless Youth Program
The El Monte City School District (EMCSD) recognizes that children and youth experiencing homelessness are our most vulnerable students, and often require additional intervention and support to ensure success.
Regardless of your housing status, you can enroll in school! You can enroll by:
- Visiting a school office or calling one of our offices.
- Visiting our district office (3540 Lexington, El Monte, CA 91731) or calling (626) 453-3700
El Monte City School District Liaison for the homeless assistance:
Rosa Ocegueda - McKinney Vento Liaison (Homeless)
Office: 626-453-3700 ext. 3643
Email: [email protected]
Los Angeles County Liaison for the homeless:
Jennifer Kottke -Homeless Education, Coordinator II
Desk Phone Number: (562) 922-6614
Google Phone Number: (562) 334-2223
Califronia State Coordinator for the homeless:
Leanne Wheeler – State Coordinator, California Department of Education 1-866-856-8214
Rosa Ocegueda - McKinney Vento Liaison (Homeless)
Office: 626-453-3700 ext. 3643
Email: [email protected]
Los Angeles County Liaison for the homeless:
Jennifer Kottke -Homeless Education, Coordinator II
Desk Phone Number: (562) 922-6614
Google Phone Number: (562) 334-2223
Califronia State Coordinator for the homeless:
Leanne Wheeler – State Coordinator, California Department of Education 1-866-856-8214
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was most recently reauthorized in 2015 by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness receive a Free Appropriate Public Education, including a public preschool education. Homeless children and youth are defined as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This definition also includes:
- Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason
- Children and youth who may be living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, shelters
- Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings, or
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are children who are living in similar circumstances listed above
Children and youth experiencing homelessness are guaranteed enrollment in school.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (MKV) provides the following rights to students experiencing housing instability or homelessness:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education
- Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
- Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
- Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is their preference and it is feasible. If the school district believes that the school selected is not in his/her best interest, then the district must provide the student with a written explanation of its position and inform the student of his/her right to appeal its decision.
- Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested
- Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the students’ needs
- Qualify automatically for child nutrition programs (free and reduced-price lunches and other district food programs).
- Contact the district liaison to resolve any disputes that arise during the enrollment process.
If a child or adolescent qualifies under the McKinney-Vento homeless program, please contact EMCSD’s McKinney Vento Liaison. Because EMCSD recognizes that every situation is unique, a wide variety of resources are available including food, transportation, school supplies, and backpacks as well as access to medical and mental health support and in school and extracurricular activities.