Registrar Procedure: McKinney Vento Homeless Education Act

ORANGE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Homeless Education Program
1401 N. Handy Street
Orange, CA 92867
PHONE 714/628-5403 Debbie Gonzalez, TOSA
714/628-5405 Cyndi Paik, Ed.D., Administrative Director
FAX 714/628-4096
Registrar/Attendance Clerk Procedure:
McKinney Vento Homeless Education Act
Purpose:
To facilitate immediate enrollment of Homeless students.
Definition of Homeless (McKinney-Vento Homeless Act 42 U.S.D. 11435):
The term “homeless children and youth” is defined as individuals who lack a fixed,
regular, and adequate night time residence. This includes:
• Sharing of housing (for economic reason vs. choice)
• Motel, hotels
• Public or private place not designed for sleeping
• Trailer park
• Cars, parks, abandoned buildings
• Substandard housing
• Shelters
• Abandoned in hospitals
• Campgrounds
And includes the following categories of children
• Unaccompanied youths
• Children awaiting foster care placement
• Migratory children
Procedure:
Determine whether a family qualifies as homeless
• If a family presents with lack of documentation for registration (proof of residency,
immunization card, birth certificate, etc.) tactfully inquire about housing (see
above definition).
• If a family self identifies as homeless - the parent states they are homeless (e.g.
live in motel, car, campground, park etc.) – they are Homeless until proven
otherwise (by Homeless Liaison or CWA).
If you have a question regarding either the status of the student(s) or the location
of their residence (e.g. if hotel is within school boundary) contact CWA [or
Homeless Coordinator] for direction.
Note: Students may become homeless after enrollment. Please notify Homeless Liaison
if you become aware of a student who has become homeless.

Notify Homeless Liaison at 5403 of all homeless students and siblings whether
they need assistance or not – they are tagged and tracked by the liaison.
The law mandates:
1. Immediate enrollment of eligible students (McKinney Vento):
The following must be waived in the registration process:
• proof of residency
• school records
• immunization record/school physical
• legal guardianship requirements
• birth certificate/social security numbers
Records are not necessary for enrollment but should be obtained as soon as (and if)
possible.
Unaccompanied Youth, adolescents who present without a parent/guardian, must also
be immediately enrolled (CWA Caregiver Affidavit form to be filled out).
2. Provision of Appropriate Services:
All Homeless students qualify for Title 1 Services:
• Free and Reduced Meals: Have parent fill out form while in office and fax
immediately to Nutrition Services (Note: Homeless Student). The hard (paper)
copy of the form should then be sent via interdistrict mail. The meals will be
available next day if this process is followed. If parent has indicated
“unemployed, 0 income” they are required to contact Nutrition Services every 45
days to confirm status.
• Tutoring or Education Services: Either through existing before/after school
programs or if not in place at the school site, through an arranged tutor (contact
Homeless Liaison).
Homeless students may be eligible for the following services as determined by
the Homeless Coordinator:
• A child with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) needs to be enrolled
immediately in like special educational services. Additionally, children who have
been enrolled in a GATE program must be immediately enrolled in this program
– contact Program Coordinator and or School Psychologist with the student
contact information.
• Migrant Education: Liaison to connect with Migrant Education coordinator for
county.
• English Language Learners (ELL) Program: Eligibility to be determined by
Language Assessment center.
• Vocational Education:
Transportation: If a student is outside of walking boundaries (1 mile circumference of
school elementary, 2.5 miles for middle school and 3 miles for high school sites) they

will be able to get transportation and need to apply for the subsidized transportation
program through the Bus Pass office on Collins. In some instances students may
qualify for transportation from locations outside of school boundaries. This will be
arranged through the Homeless Coordinator.
Clothing/uniforms and School Supplies: Available through School Bell. Family is to
fill out the School Bell application form and processes application as usual.
Immunizations or Medical Insurance assistance: Homeless Coordinator or School
Nurse will assist family with enrolling in health insurance program/accessing services.
4. School Selection: The Law states that students have the right to stay in the school
of origin (the school that the child was last enrolled in or attended when permanently
housed)
• For the duration of homelessness (and until the end of any academic year in
which they move into permanent housing) 722(g)(3)(A)(i;ii)
• If in the best interest of the student
• By parent request
5. Enrollment Disputes: To be handled by Homeless Coordinator and/or CWA Officer.
6. Emergency Contact Information:
Parent/Guardian(s) are to fill out Emergency Card and instructed to contact school with
updated information
• A Business Card or paper with current contact information can be attached to ER
Card (rather that refilling out card with each move).
Tracking of homeless students:
• School Personnel must contact the Homeless Liaison with names of all
McKinney Vento/homeless students for tagging in Aeries tracking purposes.
• School Personnel must also contact the Homeless Liaison when homeless
students withdraw from the school, move out of district boundaries (they may
continue to attend the school of residence) or become permanently housed (they
may continue to attend the school of residence for the duration of the school
year).
• Families may also contact the liaison regarding services however; the student
should already be on the homeless log when this call is received.
Homeless Liaison: Cyndi Paik, Ed.D., Administrative Director
Debbie Gonzalez, TOSA
628-5405/5403
FAX 628-4096
Email: cypaik@orangeusd.org, dgonzalez@orangeusd.org