Homeless (McKinney-Vento) Education Assistance
Know Your Rights
As a homeless parent, you have the right to decide, along with your child’s school, whether it is in the best interest of your child to:
Stay in the same school he or she attended before you became homeless (this is the “school of origin”); or transfer to the school that is closest to your new location.
To the extent that is feasible, the Local School System will enroll your child in either school.
The decision about your child's school enrollment will take into consideration factors such as:
- Special needs for your child
- Continuity of instruction
- Likely length of stay in your new place of residence
- Location
- Time and distance to transport your child to and from school.
- School Records
- Birth Certificate
- Immunizations
But, if you do not have these documents, your child cannot be denied entry. The school must help obtain any documents needed for enrollment.
Your child's school will provide transportation for your child.
You cannot be denied access to the school that is in the best interest of your child because of lack of transportation.
“… the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program is to ensure that all homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including public preschool education, provided to other children and youth”
-Stewart B. McKinney
Homeless Assistance Act
Your child has the same rights to school programs and services as all children, including:
- School Breakfast & Lunch
- Before/After School Programs
- Preschool Programs
- Transportation
- Special Education
- Gifted and Talented Programs
- Career & Technology Education
Call your Local District's Homeless Education Coordinator:
ALLEGANY (301) 759-2002
ANNE ARUNDEL (410) 518-9872
BALTIMORE CITY (410) 396-8904
BALTIMORE (410) 887-6485
CALVERT (410) 535-7234
CAROLINE (410) 479-3253
CARROLL (410) 386-1838
CECIL (410) 996-1050
CHARLES (301) 934-7326
DORCHESTER 410-228-4747 Ext. 1055
FREDERICK (301) 644-5290
GARRETT (301) 334-8938
HARFORD (410) 588-5283
HOWARD (410) 313-7335
KENT (410) 810-3170
MONTGOMERY ( 301) 230-0686
PRINCE GEORGE’S (301) 925-2482
QUEEN ANNE’S (410) 758-2403
SOMERSET (410) 651-6269
ST. MARY’S (301) 475-5511
TALBOT (410) 822-0330
WASHINGTON (301) 766-2962
WICOMICO (410) 677-4469
WORCESTER (410) 635-5079
Contact:
Melissa M. Surgeon
Education Program Specialist I
Title I Program Improvement and Family Support
Maryland State Department of Education
200 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-2595
melissa.surgeon@maryland.gov
410-767-0300 office
410-333-8010 fax