Homeless Children in School Nutrition Programs

1. Homeless Children in School Nutrition Programs Homeless Education Program Illinois

2. McKinney-Vento Homeless Act 2002 • Title X of NCLB Amended this Act in January 2002 • Clarified the definition of homeless children and youth • Required districts to designate a homeless liaison

3. To expedite delivery of nutritional benefits… • School officials may accept documentation from : • The school district homeless liaison • The director or case manager of a shelter or transitional housing project where the children reside

4. Free Meal Eligibility Documentation • Must consist of one of the following: • Letter from the homeless liaison • Letter from the director or case manager of the shelter or transitional housing project where the child resides • A completed meal application from the homeless family

5. Meal Application • Homeless liaison will complete the application on the child’s behalf, if the child is an unaccompanied youth and is not included on the list of homeless students eligible for free meals • Identify on the application – homeless • Sign the application and indicate that the signature is that of the homeless liaison

6. Letter/List from Homeless Liaison or the Shelter Official • Name of the child or children involved • Effective date of eligibility • Signature of the homeless liaison or the shelter director or case manager • Complete the Homeless Meal Eligibility form ISBExxxxx

7. Homeless Child Residing with Another Household/Host Family • A child or family may temporarily reside with another household/host family and still be considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. • Doubled-up families will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis regarding the homeless status by the homeless school liaison

8. Household/host family (doubled up) • In these cases, the household size and income of the household/host family is not taken into consideration in determining the free meal eligibility for the child(ren) designated as homeless by the homeless liaison. • The host family may be eligible with the total household size and income considered with the homeless family residing in their home.

9. Determining Eligibility of household/host family • School officials must determine the eligibility for the household/host family in the traditional manner using the total household members and the income from all sources. • Free meal eligibility for the homeless child(ren) is based on the documentation from the homeless liaison, even when the child is included in the household family/s free and reduced price meal application.

10. Reminders: Homeless Liaison • Update the list when changes occur and notify the food service and/or school official regarding the date the child left school or is no longer homeless. • The determination of the child as “homeless” continues until the child has moved out of the district or the homeless liaison terminates the designation of “homeless” for the child

11. Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 • Amended the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to make runaway (unaccompanied youth), homeless, and migrant children categorically eligible for free meal benefits • Established the requirement for documenting a child’s status as runaway (unaccompanied youth), homeless, or migratory

12. For Assistance • Contact: Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition Program for clarification of any issues that appear to be inconsistent with the information provided. 217.782.2491 Illinois State Board of Education Homeless Education Program 1-800-215-6379