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McKinney-Vento Program

Falmouth Public Schools follows the provisions of the federal McKinney-Vento Act, “which aims to minimize the educational disruptions experienced by students in temporary housing situations. All students are guaranteed the right to a free, appropriate, public education” (Maine Department of Education). 

Eligible Students

Students who are experiencing any of the following qualify for McKinney-Vento support services:

  • Lack of “a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence”
  • Sharing housing with family or friends due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar circumstances
  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate housing
  • Living in emergency or transitional housing
  • Abandoned in hospitals
  • Having a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, regular sleeping accommodations
  • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
  • Migratory students meeting the descriptions above (Maine Department of Education)

Eligible Students’ Rights

Students who are eligible under the McKinney-Vento Act have the right to:

  • a free, appropriate, public education
  • remain enrolled in the schools they have been attending even if they are temporarily staying out of the district, but also have the right to enroll in their new school of residence, depending on the best interest of the student
  • Be enrolled immediately without the typically required documents and immunization records.
  • Be transported to and from school
  • Receive free school meals
  • give consent to all medical needs if the McKinney-Vento student is unaccompanied
  • Participate fully in school activities and educational services/programs
  • Have absences and truancy related to homelessness excused
  • Provided services without stigma or separation (Maine Department of Education)

For Families: McKinney-Vento (2 minute video)

If you think you or your student qualify for McKinney-Vento services, please contact our McKinney-Vento liaison, Chris Morin cmorin@falmouthschools.org at 207-781-2079.

You can also visit the Maine Department of Education website to learn more about the McKinney-Vento Act and resources in Maine.