The Role of the MCPS Liaison and Educators 

MKV Liaison - Margarita Bohorquez

The MCPS Homeless Liaison helps ensure that eligible students and families receive the support and services they need.

Responsibilities include:

• Identifying students experiencing homelessness within MCPS.
• Ensuring these students can enroll in and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.
• Linking students and their families to needed support services, including housing, health care, mental health services, and other relevant assistance.
• Facilitating inter- and intra-agency collaboration to better serve homeless students.
• Informing parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youth of their rights under the McKinney-Vento Act.
• Publicly posting information about the rights of homeless students in places frequented by parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youth.

Teachers, counselors, administrators, and pupil personnel workers play an essential role by:

Should be aware of the McKinney-Vento Act and understand the unique challenges faced by students experiencing homelessness. They can support these students by:

• • Creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment.
  • Being sensitive to the potential trauma and instability in their lives.
  • Collaborating with the Homeless Liaison to ensure students receive the necessary supports.
  • Understanding the enrollment and documentation flexibilities available for these students.
  • Advocating for the needs of students experiencing homelessness within the school community.

Key Protections and Rights Provided by the McKinney-Vento Act

Immediate Enrollment

Students must be enrolled in school immediately, even if they do not have:

• Proof of residency
• Birth certificates
• Immunization records
• Previous school records

They must be allowed to attend school while these documents are being obtained.

Unaccompanied Youth Rights

The Act specifically addresses the needs of unaccompanied youth, ensuring their right to enroll in school without the consent of a parent or guardian and to access the same protections and services as other homeless children and youth.

Best Interest Meetings

A Best Interest Meeting (often called a Best Interest Determination) is a collaborative process required by the federal McKinney-Vento Act. Its purpose is to decide which school a student experiencing homelessness should attend to ensure the greatest educational stability and success.  

When a student’s living situation changes, the law requires the school district to determine whether it is better for the student to stay at their school of origin (the school they attended when they had permanent housing) or to enroll in the local neighborhood school where they are currently staying.

School Selection

Students may attend either:

• Their school of origin (the school attended when permanently housed or the last school in which they were enrolled), or
• Their local neighborhood schools

The decision is based on the student’s best interest.

Transportation

Eligible students may receive transportation to and from their school of origin when it is in the student's best interest. 

• Transportation requests are coordinated through the McKinney-Vento Unit.
• Processing takes approximately four school days.
• Families receive route details directly from the Department of Transportation.
• Changes in address or living circumstances should be reported to the school administration or PPW.

Free and Reduced-price School Meals 

Students identified as eligible under the McKinney-Vento Act automatically receive free standard breakfast and lunch at school. À la carte items are not included. Families do not need to complete the Free and Reduced-price Meals System (FARMS) application.

Once approved, the McKinney-Vento Unit forwards the request to the MCPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services to activate the student's meal benefits.

Access to Services

Students experiencing homelessness have the right to the same free and appropriate public education, including related services for which they are eligible:

• Special education services
• Title I programs
• Preschool programs
• English learner services
• School counseling and mental health supports

Dispute Resolution

Parents, guardians, and unaccompanied youth have the right to dispute decisions related to:

• Eligibility
• School selection
• Enrollment
• Transportation

Students remain enrolled and continue receiving services while disputes are resolved.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Does “doubling up” count as homelessness?

Possibly. If your family is sharing housing because of loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason, your child may qualify. The key component is why the family is sharing housing and whether the living situation is fixed, regular, and adequate.

What is the school of origin?

This is the school your child attended when permanently housed or the school they were last enrolled in. Your child can stay there, even if you move to a different area, if it is in their best interest.

Do I need documents to enroll my child?

No. Eligible students must be enrolled immediately, even if documents are missing (proof of address, birth certificate, immunization records, or school records).  The school will help you to obtain any missing documents.

Who can help at my child’s school?

Ask to speak with the school’s pupil personnel worker (PPW) or call the McKinney-Vento Liaison’s office at 240-740-4511.

Can my child receive transportation?

Yes, if remaining in the school of origin is determined to be in the student’s best interest.

Will my child receive free meals?

Yes. Eligible students automatically qualify for free school meals.

How is eligibility determined?

A school pupil personnel worker will review your living situation confidentially to determine eligibility.

Is my information kept private?

Yes. Information is confidential and used only to determine eligibility and provide support services.

What if I disagree with a decision?

You have the right to dispute decisions about eligibility, enrollment, or school selection. Your child can continue attending school while the dispute is resolved. The school must provide a wrtitten explanation and help you though the dispute process.

Can unaccompanied youth qualify on their own?

Yes. Youth who are not living with a parent or guardian may enroll independently with support from the school pupil personal worker.

How long do services continue?

Once eligibility is established, services continue through the end of the school year and the summer, even if permanent housing is obtained.  To remain eligible, a Best Interest Determination must be held with the school pupil personal worker prior to the start of the new school year.

How do I get started?

Contact your child’s school and ask to speak with the assigned pupil personnel worker (PPW), or contact the MCPS Homeless Liaison Office via email, or call  240-740-4511.