District social worker outlines McKinney-Vento supports, supply closet and foster-care liaison role

Elise Hill, Milan Area Schools'district social worker and McKinney-Vento and foster-care liaison, presented an overview of the McKinney-Vento Act and the district's response to families in transition at the Oct. 29 board meeting.

Hill explained McKinney-Vento eligibility is based on housing that is fixed, regular and adequate; a child living in a vehicle, shelter, hotel or in a doubled-up situation may qualify depending on circumstances. "The McKinney-Vento Act looks at whether a child is in a fixed, regular, or adequate home living situation," she told the board.

Hill said Milan's identified rate is about 2.9 percent of students, compared with roughly 2.2 percent nationally, 1.9 percent in Michigan and 2.7 percent in Washtenaw County. She cautioned that high-school figures may undercount students who do not disclose instability.

Hill described district practices required by law and by McKinney-Vento guidance: immediate school enrollment even without full paperwork, waiving fees and assisting with transportation and documentation. The district maintains a closet of clothing, coats, boots, school supplies and hygiene items; Hill said those items come from a mix of a grant and community donations.

Hill also described her foster-care liaison duties: helping students in foster care enroll, coordinating with case managers, and providing staff professional development. Board members asked how families are identified; Hill said referrals can come from a residency checkbox on registration forms, teacher referrals, or direct contact from families, and she noted an ISD grievance process for eligibility disputes.

Board members and Hill discussed outreach and donation channels; Hill said community groups and churches frequently donate items and that the district coordinates with local organizations for holiday support.