West Chicago-area districts review McKinney‑Vento rights, enrollment and supports for unhoused students

West Chicago — Leaders from four local school districts met in a joint session Oct. 12 for an hourlong training on the McKinney‑Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Illinois requirements for students living in unstable housing.

The presentation, delivered by Sarah Norton, Director of Community Partnerships for West Chicago School District 33, reviewed who qualifies as McKinney‑Vento eligible, the districts’ duty to identify students, rules for immediate enrollment and transportation obligations, and local resources including county mini‑grants and community partners.

Norton said the work is “disruptive for adults,” noting the effect of housing instability on children’s schooling: “It really is disruptive for adults to go through these kinds of situations, and so you can imagine the impact it has on our kids.” She walked the group through federal and state differences, enrollment procedures and common local scenarios.

Why it matters: The training clarified that districts must enroll McKinney‑Vento students immediately, even without records, and provide services such as transportation, free meals and fee waivers to reduce barriers to attendance. Norton said these practices aim to preserve continuity in learning and reduce the academic losses that follow frequent moves.

Most important points Norton presented included: - Eligibility: Students missing any element of “fixed, regular and adequate housing” can qualify,…