Homeless Information
Facts about the McKinney - Vento Homeless Education Act:
Part of the Every Child Suceeds Federal Legislation, this law protects homeless students from discrimination and mandates equal access to educational programs and services. Students who are identified as homeless must have barriers to their education removed.
Printable Flyer in EnglishPrintable Flyer in Spanish
| Person to call | Title | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Carrie Kulinski | Homeless Liaison ckulinski@Janesville.k12.wi.us | (608) 743-5122 |
| Kim Peerenboom | Director of Pupil Services | (608) 743-5079 |
| Kristine Nadolski | Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program | (608) 267-7338 |
| Resource | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Prooject 16:49 | 608-314-5501 |
| House of Mercy | 608-754-0045 |
| American Red Cross | 608-754-4497 |
| ECHO Food Pantry and Emergency Shelter Vouchers | 608-754-5333 |
| Salvation Army Emergency Shelter Vouchers and Transitional Living Programs | 608-757-8300 |
| YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter and Transitional Living Programs | 608-752-5445 |
| HealthNet Free Clinic | 608-756-4638 |
| Janesville Community Health Center at Mercy Clinic- South ( sliding scale medical care ) | 608-758-7814 |
| Rock County Job Center to apply for food share, Medicaid, employment opprotunities | 608-741-3400 |
| Safe Families for Children | 815-582-1781 |
Qualifying
- A student may qualify if he or she is presently:
- Living in a shelter or transitional living program.
- Living in a motel, hotel or campground due to lack of housing (not managers).
- Sharing housing with relatives or others temporarily due to a lack of housing.
- Living at a public place, a park, or in a vehicle or RV.
- Living in an abandoned building.
- A youth not living with a parent or legal guardian and staying with others temporarily, including run aways.
- A child of a migrant worker.
- In other situations that are not fixed, regular, or adequate for nighttime residence.
Students Rights
- Immediate school enrollment
- Even without proof of residency, guardianship, immunizations, or school records.
- School choice
- Students may choose to stay at the school attended when permanently housed or to enroll in the school where currently living for the remainder of the academic year.
- Free lunches
- Students are automatically eligible to receive free lunch for the duration of the school year.
- School fee waivers
- Students have the right to equal access to education and full participation.
- Transportation
- Transportation is provided for students residing outside of their school’s attendance area.
For Students new to the School District of Janesville contact the
New Student Enrollment Office
608-743-5011
For current students, contact your school’s McKinney-Vento Advocate. They can provide the services listed
here as well as referrals to community helping agencies
How Can You Help?
The following is a list of ongoing needs for our homeless youth, please consider donating. You can drop your donations at the Education Services Center for Carrie Kulinski.
List of Needs
- Socks (all sizes)
- Underwear (all sizes)
- Snow pants
- Gift cards (food or groceries)
- Warm/waterproof gloves
- Gas cards (fuel only cards)
- Blankets
- School supplies
- Back packs
- Bus tokens
- Toiletries
Helpful Links
To learn more about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, try the following websites:
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: http://dpi.wi.gov/homeless/
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY): http://www.naehcy.org/
National Center for Homeless Education at SERVE: http://www.serve.org/nche/
National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty: http://www.nlchp.org/
Housing and Urban Development: http://www.hud.gov/homeless/index.cfm