Melba School District Logo

McKinney-Vento

If your family has lost housing or is living in a temporary situation, your children still have the right to go to school, and Melba School District can help. Our McKinney-Vento liaison works with families to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and success in school.

Who Qualifies?

The federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act covers children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate place to stay at night. This includes students who are:

  • Sharing housing with other people because they lost their home or for financial reasons (often called "doubled up")
  • Staying in a motel, hotel, campground, or trailer park because there is no other adequate place to go
  • Living in a shelter or transitional housing
  • Living in a car, park, public place, abandoned building, or housing without utilities such as running water, electricity, or heat
  • Unaccompanied youth: students not living with a parent or legal guardian

If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies, please contact our liaison. Conversations are kept private.

Your Student's Rights

  • Your child can enroll in school right away, even without a permanent address, school records, immunization records, or other documents usually needed for enrollment.
  • Your child can stay at their school of origin (the school they attended when last permanently housed, or the school where they were last enrolled) when that is in their best interest, even if you move outside the school's area.
  • Your child can get transportation to and from their school of origin.
  • Your child can take part in all school programs and activities, including extracurriculars, for which they are eligible.
  • If you disagree with a school decision about enrollment or school placement, you can file a dispute, and your child can stay enrolled while it is resolved. Our liaison can explain how.

How We Can Help

Students and families who qualify can receive:

  • Transportation to keep students at their school of origin
  • Free school breakfast and lunch
  • School supplies
  • Clothing
  • Referrals to community resources

Contact

Se habla español. Eric Forsgren, Astrid Day, and Ariel Fuentealba speak Spanish and are happy to help families. At Melba Elementary, contact Eric Forsgren or Ariel Fuentealba at (208) 495-2508.

State Resources

Learn more about this program from the Idaho State Department of Education: Education for Homeless Children and Youth.