Homeless Children in School Homeless Children in School Nutrition Programs Nutrition Programs

Homeless Education Program Illinois

McKinney-Vento Homeless Act McKinney-Vento Homeless Act 20022002

Title X of NCLB Amended this Act in January 2002Clarified the definition of homeless

children and youthRequired districts to designate a

homeless liaison

To expedite delivery of nutritional To expedite delivery of nutritional benefits…benefits…

School officials may accept documentation from :The school district homeless liaisonThe director or case manager of a shelter

or transitional housing project where the children reside

Free Meal Eligibility Free Meal Eligibility DocumentationDocumentation

Must consist of one of the following:Letter from the homeless liaisonLetter from the director or case manager

of the shelter or transitional housing project where the child resides

A completed meal application from the homeless family

Meal Application Meal Application

Homeless liaison will complete the application on the child’s behalf, if the child is an unaccompanied youth and is not included on the list of homeless students eligible for free meals

Identify on the application – homeless Sign the application and indicate that the

signature is that of the homeless liaison

Letter/List from Homeless Liaison or the Letter/List from Homeless Liaison or the Shelter OfficialShelter Official

Name of the child or children involvedEffective date of eligibilitySignature of the homeless liaison or

the shelter director or case managerComplete the Homeless Meal

Eligibility form ISBExxxxx

Homeless Child Residing with Another Homeless Child Residing with Another Household/Host FamilyHousehold/Host Family

A child or family may temporarily reside with another household/host family and still be considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act.

Doubled-up families will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis regarding the homeless status by the homeless school liaison

Household/host family (doubled up)Household/host family (doubled up)

In these cases, the household size and income of the household/host family is not taken into consideration in determining the free meal eligibility for the child(ren) designated as homeless by the homeless liaison.

The host family may be eligible with the total household size and income considered with the homeless family residing in their home.

Determining Eligibility of Determining Eligibility of household/host familyhousehold/host family

School officials must determine the eligibility for the household/host family in the traditional manner using the total household members and the income from all sources.

Free meal eligibility for the homeless child(ren) is based on the documentation from the homeless liaison, even when the child is included in the household family/s free and reduced price meal application.

Reminders: Homeless LiaisonReminders: Homeless Liaison

Update the list when changes occur and notify the food service and/or school official regarding the date the child left school or is no longer homeless.

The determination of the child as “homeless” continues until the child has moved out of the district or the homeless liaison terminates the designation of “homeless” for the child

Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004Act of 2004

Amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make runaway (unaccompanied youth), homeless, and migrant children categorically eligible for free meal benefits

Established the requirement for documenting a child’s status as runaway (unaccompanied youth), homeless, or migratory

For Assistance For Assistance

Contact: Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition Program for clarification of any issues that appear to be inconsistent with the information provided.

217.782.2491 Illinois State Board of Education Homeless

Education Program 1-800-215-6379