Homeless Information

Homeless Student Enrollment Procedures: 

A homeless student (also referred to as child and youth in transition) is defined under the Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, and includes:

• children and youth 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; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
  
• children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
  
• children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and;
  
• migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances listed above.  Unaccompanied homeless youth are those students who meet the above definition of homeless and not living in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian. All unaccompanied youth are not considered homeless.  
  

Every child has a right to a free and appropriate public education. Children in transition who fit federal definitions of homelessness have a right to:

• immediate school enrollment and attendance, even without birth records, school records, immunizations, and/or health physicals;
  
• have assistance with requesting records from the previous school;
  
• remain at their school of origin if it is in the best interest of the child;
  
• transportation to and from school;
  
• help for prompt resolution about school placement including Special Education,
  
• Bilingual Education, Gifted, and remedial programs; and
  
• receive free breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the school year (by using the nutrition application and current procedure).
  

Identified homeless families can receive assistance through the student support staff at their school. Services provided include linkages with community resources, clothing for students, and school supplies. Homeless students may also be eligible for additional supportive academic services.

Do you or does someone you know lack a fixed, regular, adequate, nighttime residence?  If so, please immediately contact Pleasant Hill School's Homeless Coordinator Mrs. Brittany Hinch in our office, by phone at (931) 277-3677, or by email at: bhinch@ccschools.k12tn.net.  Our school will immediately help you.