Homelessness
Students Experiencing Homelessness
Children and youth experiencing homelessness may encounter challenges with enrollment, attendance, transportation, and success in school. If you are experiencing homelessness, please contact your child’s School Social Worker or the district liaison.
Moosup Elementary School: Theresa Lambert, [email protected], 860-564-6430
Shepard Hill Elementary: Karla Paquette, [email protected], 860-564-6432
Plainfield Memorial School: Phil LaFemina, [email protected], 860-564-6440
Plainfield Central Middle School: Kayla Fafard, [email protected], 860-564-6437
Plainfield High School: Janet Harmon, [email protected], 860-564-6422
District Liaison: Jessica Fitch, [email protected], 860-564-6401
McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. It defines homeless children as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. “Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason.
Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
Children and youth awaiting foster care placement.
Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations.
The McKinney-Vento Act requires schools to enroll homeless children and youth immediately, even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence. The act ensures that homeless children and youth have transportation to and from their school of origin, if it is in the child’s or youth’s best interest.