Supporting Children
Who Are Homeless.
Odyssey's McKinney-Vento Commitment
Odyssey Charter School adheres to the provisions of the Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act which aims to minimize the educational disruptions experienced by students who are experiencing homelessness. These federal laws help students who become homeless to remain in their school of origin, if the school determines that it is in the best interest of the child in consultation with the parent or guardian, or to share the cost and responsibility for transportation to and from the school of origin if the parent, guardian or youth requests it.
Equal Opportunity and Enrollment
Odyssey Charter School provides equal opportunity for homeless students to attend. Homeless students who miss the open enrollment application deadline may still apply after the deadline. If the application is received before the lottery occurs, it will be treated as if it was received before the deadline.
Under the laws, students can enroll in a public school even though they don't have the documents and immunizations required to register.
Definition of Homeless Children and Youths
"Homeless Children and Youths" as defined by the provisions of the 42 U.S.C. §11434a(2), means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. §11302(a)(1)); and includes:
- Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; or are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals
- Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a private or public place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of 42 U.S.C. §11302(a)(2)(C))
- Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
- Migratory children (as such term is defined in section 20 U.S.C. §6399 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended) who qualify as homeless because the children are living in circumstances described above
Contact Our Homeless Liaison
To learn if your family is eligible for services, or to begin a dispute resolution process, please contact our dedicated homeless liaison.