Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY)

The education for Homeless Children & Youth (EHCY) Program's major responsibility is to implement the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. Homeless children and unaccompanied youth must have access to public school educational programs and services that allow them to meet the same challenging academic standards to which all students are held (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction). 

Program Elements: 

• Designate a homeless liaison in each school district. 
• Identify and immediately enroll any homeless child or youth (preschool to grade 12). 
• Continue children in their "school of origin" for the duration of their homelessness. 
• Inform parents/guardians of the educational rights of their children. 
• Provide transportation, at the request of the parent, to the school of origin. 
• Ensure no barriers exist (e.g., residency requirements, lack of transportation or school fees) for full educational participation. 
• Develop partnerships with community agencies to identify and assist with basic services for homeless families, children, and youth. 
• Ensure homeless students are not segregated or stigmatized.