Homeless student information
Lombard School District 44 welcomes all the students who reside within its boundaries, or who are otherwise eligible to attend its schools. The District is committed to providing a high-quality, free and appropriate education to all of its students, regardless of their needs or circumstances.
Education rights of students who are homeless
Lombard School District 44 uses the definitions of homelessness and addresses the educational rights of students who are homeless as set forth in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Every D44 student is entitled to a free and appropriate education.
Every school district is required to designate a person to serve as “Homeless Liaison.” The liaison can help with problems related to enrollment, request transportation on behalf of the children, help obtain immunizations or immunization records and birth certificates, and help mediate disputes with the school district. They are also there to help youth without parents or guardians. You may click here for additional information. Clodagh Sorrentino is D44’s identified homeless liaison.
If you think your family may qualify for homeless services, or your family is having financial difficulties, please contact your school principal or your school social worker. Your information will always be treated confidentially.
McKinney-Vento: Federal Homeless Education Legislation
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act ensures the educational rights and protections of homeless children and youth so that they may enroll in school, attend regularly, and be successful. The legislation requires a local homeless education liaison in every school district to assist children and unaccompanied youth in their efforts to attend school. This Act guarantees homeless children and youth the following:
- The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment.
- The right to attend school in his/her school of origin (if this is requested by the parent and is feasible) or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing
- The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin, if this is requested by the parent.
- The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services.
- The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness. Segregation based on a student's status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
- The posting of homeless students’ rights in all schools and other places around the community.
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Who is homeless?
The term "homeless children and youth", as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act, means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; 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 accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals, or are awaiting foster care placement
- Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus/train stations, or similar settings,
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described above
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Liaison information:
Clodagh Sorrentino, Lombard D44 Homeless Liaison
(630) 827-4428
Heather Britton, Homeless Student Advocate, DuPage Regional Office of Education
(630) 534-7589