McKinney-Vento Homeless Education

Clarenceville School District is committed to ensuring that every student has access to a free, appropriate public education — regardless of housing situation. Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, students experiencing homelessness have specific rights designed to remove barriers to enrollment, attendance, and school success.

Who Qualifies

A student may qualify for McKinney-Vento protections if they lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youth who are:

• Sharing housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason ("doubled up")
• Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to a lack of alternative housing
• Living in emergency or transitional shelters
• Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
• Living in any of the above circumstances and are an unaccompanied youth (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian)

Families do not need to provide proof of these circumstances to access McKinney-Vento services — the district works with families to determine eligibility.

Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness

Under federal law, eligible students have the right to:

• Immediate enrollment in school, even without normally required documents such as proof of residency, birth certificates, immunization records, or previous school records
• Remain in their school of origin (the school they attended before becoming homeless, or were last enrolled in), if that is in the student's best interest — for the duration of homelessness and through the end of the school year in which they obtain permanent housing
• Transportation to and from the school of origin, if requested
• Enroll in the local school where they are currently staying, if that is in the student's best interest, even outside normal attendance boundaries
• Access to school meals, Title I services, and other educational programs for which they are eligible, automatically
• Referrals to health, mental health, dental, and other support services
• A prompt resolution process if there is a dispute about school selection or enrollment

Our District Liaison

Every Michigan school district is required to designate a McKinney-Vento Liaison to identify and support students and families experiencing homelessness. Clarenceville School District's designated Liaison is:

Venessa Zverotic
Phone: (248) 919-0292
Email: venessa.zverotic@clarencevilleschools.org

The Liaison is available to help families understand their rights, navigate enrollment, access transportation, and connect with community resources. If you have questions, concerns, or believe your family may qualify for McKinney-Vento support, please reach out directly.

If you have a concern or disagreement about a school enrollment or placement decision, please contact the Liaison directly to begin the resolution process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need a permanent address to enroll?
No. Schools must enroll students immediately, even if the family does not have a permanent address or required enrollment documents on hand.

Will my child have to change schools if we move?
Not necessarily. Your child has the right to remain in their school of origin for as long as it is in their best interest, even if your family moves outside the regular attendance boundary.

Does my immigration status affect eligibility?
No. Students do not need to be U.S. citizens or have a particular immigration status to qualify for McKinney-Vento protections.

Are McKinney-Vento services confidential?
Yes. Information about a student's housing situation is treated with discretion and shared only with staff who need it to provide appropriate support.

What if I'm not sure whether my situation qualifies?
Contact the District Liaison. Eligibility is determined collaboratively, and you do not need to have already confirmed eligibility before reaching out.

Resources for Families

• Michigan Department of Education — McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
• Michigan Alliance for Families — Homeless Students
• National Center for Homeless Education — Homeless Education Helpline: (800) 308-2145
• SchoolHouse Connection — Family & Youth Resources

Clarenceville School District also partners with Oakland Schools for additional resources and technical assistance in supporting students and families experiencing homelessness.

This page is reviewed and updated annually in compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. For questions, contact the District Liaison, Venessa Zverotic, at (248) 919-0292 or venessa.zverotic@clarencevilleschools.org.