Access and Opportunity Office

Attention Students and Families

Students needing McKinney Vento Homeless Assistant Act services can self-identify by completing the Residency Form, which is available in the Parent Place portal.

General Resources

Students & Families

Community Partners

  • Identifying Eligible Students (Information Coming Soon)

  • Donate

Schools

About Us

The Access and Opportunity Office aims to develop and maintain a comprehensive education program by coordinating resources and services for students experiencing homelessness.

The department also strives to foster a climate where these students are positively received and not stigmatized or isolated. 

Contact Us

Giselle Danger-Mercaderes
Specialist, Access and Opportunity
(502) 485-3650
giselle.danger@jefferson.kyschools.us

School-Based Homeless Liaisons

McKinney Vento Homeless Assistant Act

Students in need of McKinney Vento Homeless Assistant Act services can self-identify by completing the Residency Form, which is available in the Parent Place portal.

Each school has a trained McKinney-Vento/foster care liaison who can support identification and transportation requests. For expedited services, contact the homeless liaison. School homeless liaisons enter requests in the Residency App, which the Access and Opportunity Team manages. If approved for services, you will be contacted with the next steps.

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, eligible students have the right to:

Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.

Enroll, attend classes, and participate fully in all school activities while the school arranges for the transfer of records.

Attend either the local school or the school of origin, if this is in their best interest; the school of origin is the school the child attended when he/she was permanently housed or the school in which the child was last enrolled.

Have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students including transportation and supplemental educational services.

Receive transportation to and from the school of origin.

Attend school with children not experiencing homelessness; segregation based on a student’s status as homeless is prohibited.

Enroll in school immediately, even if missing records and documents normally required for enrollment such as a birth certificate, proof of residence, previous school records, or immunization/medical records.

If your housing is unstable, your schooling doesn't have to be. Enroll in school today! If you live in any of the following situations: In a shelter In a park or campground In a motel or hotel In a car, abandoned building, or on the street Living temporarily with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship Inadequate living accommodations (collapsed house, lack of water or electricity) Unaccompanied youth experiencing any of the above circumstances You also have the right to Enroll immediately and attend classes Get help with documents required for enrollment Attend the same school or transfer to a new school Receive school meals Participate in school activities and programs The support of a community liaison You may be eligible for services, including: Transportation to and from school School supplies and uniforms Academic support and tutoring Referrals for housing, healthcare, and food Referrals for other services

Foster Care Rights

Information Coming Soon

Homelessness Definition

Federal law defines homelessness as lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes:  —Children and youth sharing the home of others or living in a hotel/motel due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason —Living in an emergency or transitional shelter —Living in a car, park, abandoned building, campground, bus/train station, substandard housing (lack of electric, running water, etc.) —Living in a public or private place not ordinarily used for sleeping

 

Policies and Laws

Community Partner Resources

Information on how to identify eligible students and training opportunities coming soon.