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McKinney-Vento Homeless Education

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

McKinney-Vento is a federally-funded program that provides supplemental instruction and support services for homeless children and youth, with the goal of enabling them to meet the same rigorous academic standards set for all children, despite the obstacles created by their homeless condition.  Becoming homeless is highly disruptive to students in many ways, manifested by school absences, changes of schools, difficulty in transferring school records, lack of adequate clothing, food, and shelter, anxiety and social/emotional issues, and even health related problems.

WHO ARE HOMELESS CHILDREN?

School-aged children, youth and pre-schoolers who are currently without a regular, fixed or adequate night-time residence may qualify for program services, according to the program guidelines.  Qualifying situations may include children residing in

  • Temporary shelters, including domestic violence shelters
  • Hotels and motels
  • “Doubled up” housing, where one family is living with another due to loss of housing stemming from financial problems
  • Other public or private places not designed or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation, such as abandoned buildings, cars, vans, camping areas, etc.
  • Transitional housing for families
  • Other special situations


WHAT McKINNEY-VENTO SERVICES DOES GLOUCESTER COUNTY SPECIAL SERVICES SCHOOL DISTRICT (GCSSSD) PROVIDE?

Since January 1996, GCSSSD’s McKinney-Vento Project has provided supplemental services to more than 2,000 homeless children and youth in Gloucester County.  Our primary objective is to help children and youth continue to maintain their academic levels while they are homeless, through supplemental tutoring and advocacy services.  A number or other related services are available as well:

  • Tutoring
  • Advocacy
  • Counseling
  • Supplemental Transportation
  • Awareness Sessions
  • Parent Activities
  • Health Services
  • School Supplies 


For further information please contact Jenifer Gillin at 856-589-2888 or jgillin@pitman.k12.nj.us