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Presenters brief council on McKinney‑Vento rights after county identifies more than 6,000 homeless students
Summary
Special populations consultant Sabrina Rudy and Wayne Westland Schools McKinney‑Vento liaison Amanda Fonnen told council the county has identified 6,000+ students experiencing homelessness and urged use of local resources, including a family resource center, transportation assistance and school liaisons.
Sabrina Rudy, a special populations consultant with Wayne RISE, and Amanda Fonnen, McKinney‑Vento liaison and supervisor of social and emotional learning at Wayne Westland Community Schools, presented an overview of the federal McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act and local resources for students experiencing homelessness.
Rudy told council that Wayne County has identified over 6,000 students who experienced homelessness; she said identification rates have risen and that many students are undercounted. "About 68% [of students identified as homeless in Wayne County] are doubled up," she said, referring to families temporarily living with other households. Rudy explained the rights under McKinney‑Vento, including immediate school enrollment without typical documentation, the ability to remain in a student’s school of origin, and transportation to maintain school stability.
Fonnen described local services at Wayne Westland Community Schools. She said Wayne Westland has the second‑highest count in the county outside Detroit and that the district’s family resource center at Adams Middle School provides two case managers, a clothing closet, an emergency food pantry, backpacks and school supplies, and help arranging transportation and paying school fees. "We're there to provide all kinds of things... so that when they come to school, they're ready to learn," Fonnen said.
Council members praised the presentation; police and library staff said they will coordinate on outreach and provide Narcan/test‑strip availability through existing programs. Fonnen and Rudy left brochures with the city and indicated they will follow up with local agencies to increase awareness of liaison contacts across Wayne County.
