"Most parents today express concerns about child abuse, how to recognize it and prevent it.  Perhaps the single greatest deterrent to abuse is communication and talking to children from the time they are very young through adolescence.  Parents who communicate, encourage and model are much more likely to raise strong, empowered children.  Talking to a child about abuse, particularly sexual abuse, is a frightening proposition for many parents.  While this fear is understandable, there are a number of ways parents can talk to children that will help them feel safer and more confident rather than fearful and mistrusting" (International Center for Abuse Prevention, 2017).

Please use these resources to learn what you can do to keep your child safe:

• Presenting Child Abuse and Neglect for Parents

• Parenting to Prevent Abuse ICA (International Center for Abuse Prevention Website)

• Keeping Children Safe: SafeHome.org Resources

Before schools can be certain they are complying with legislation related to educating students experiencing homelesness, they must understand who can be considered homeless.  The McKinney-Vento Act (Section 725) defines "homeless children and youth" (school-age and younger) as:

• Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are:

  • ​sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason,

  • living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations,

  • living in emergency or transitional shelters,

  • abandoned in hospitals,

  • 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 carts, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.

• Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

The term unaccompanied youth includes a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.  This would include runaways living in runaway shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, on the streets, or in other adequate housing; children and youth denied housing by their families (sometimes referred to as "throwaway children and youth"); and school-age unwed mothers living in homes for unwed mothers because they have no other housing available.

In determining whether or not a child or youth is homeless, consider the relative permanence of the living arrangements.  Determination of homelessness should be made on a case-by-case basis.

A homeless child may attend the District school that the child attended when permanently housed or in which the child was last enrolled.  A homeless child living in any District's school attendance areas may attend that school.  

If you have questions, please contact the District Homeless Liasion, Email Maria Reinhard at 618-397-0325

Non Regulatory Guidance 
NAEHCY FAQ