Cascade School District's Homeless Assistance program is available to address and support the educational needs of students who find themselves in temporary or transitional housing during the school year. Our program works closely with local shelter and housing providers, local community agencies and resources. We work together to ensure educational stability for students in short-term/temporary and tansitional/homeless housing situations so they feel supported and encouraged while they secure permanent housing.

Any child or youth, including migrant and unaccompanied youth, who lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless and McKinney-Vento eligible for assistance and services. This includes children and youth who are temporarily sharing housing with others due to loss of housing or economic hardship, those who are living in hotels, camp grounds, emergency shelters, cars, bus or train stations, or other similar settings, transitional housing programs, and those awaiting foster care or are in temporary placements.

If you have a student/child who may qualify for assistance and services or would like more information please contact Meche Grace, mgrace@cascadesd.org, at 509-548-5839.

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act was authorized by Congress, December 2001, as part of the No Child Left Behind Legislation. The purpose of the act is to remove barriers to education for homeless/transitional students and provide educational support and stability.

Education Rights of Children and Youth who Qualify for Services and Assistance
Our Schools provide equal and comparable access to all students regardless of their home living situation. McKinney-Vento eligible children and youth have specific rights that include:
 
1.Maintain attendance at the school of origin-current school for the remainder of the current school year (if this is in the child's best interest and feasible) or enroll in the neighborhood school where currently residing.
2. Transportation assistance if needed.
3. Eligible for FREE food services.
4. Appropriate support services and programs for which they are eligible such programs as gifted, children with disabilities, career/technical education, preschool, etc.
5. Assistance obtaining needed record and documentation
6. Academic assistance the the district's federally funded Title I program.
7. Parent or guardian involvement in school activities.

The Homeless Education Program also works closely with neighboring school districts in an effort to create a region-wide educational network to support students and their families in short-term/temporary and transitional/homeless housing situations.