McKinney-Vento Homeless Services

Who is Eligible for Services?

Any student who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate overnight residence (at any time during the school year) may be eligible to receive services. 

  • Students may be found living in the following situations: In a shelter, motel, vehicle, camper, or campground
  • Temporarily sharing the housing of friends or family (“doubled-up”) due to economic hardship
  • Unaccompanied youth living on their own, without a parent or guardian
  • Inadequate accommodations (lack of electricity, heat, plumbing, or overcrowding)
  • Abandoned buildings, or on the street
  • Students who are couch surfing, staying with friends
  • Displaced due to natural disaster or fire

Services Available

  • Assistance in maintaining school stability
  • Assistance with enrollment in school and transfer of student records
  • Assistance with full participation in school (extracurricular activities and sports)
  • Assistance with school transportation
  • College admissions support (registration, FAFSA, scholarships, etc.)
  • Clothing for school purposes
  • Free school breakfast and lunch
  • Liaison between family and school personnel
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Referrals to community agencies
  • School supplies and backpacks

Community Resources Quick Links

Do You Have a Place to Sleep Tonight?
Food Assistance
Housing Assistance
Emergency Shelter Assistance
Utility Assistance

School Rights You May Not Know You Have

If you live in any of the following situations, you may be eligible for rights and services provided by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act:

  • In a shelter or on the street
  • In a motel or campground
  • In a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station
  • Couch surfing/doubled up with others due to loss of housing, foreclosure, eviction, or economic hardship
  • Inadequate living accommodations (i.e. overcrowding, lack of plumbing, heating, or electricity)
  • Youth living on their own, without a parent or legal guardian

You also have the right to:

  • Enroll in and attend school, no matter where you live or how long you have lived there
  • Continue attending the same school after experiencing loss of housing, or transfer to a new school
  • Receive transportation assistance, if possible
  • Receive school meal programs
  • Receive Title I services

School Rights Posters

Learn more about the Northwest Michigan Coalition to end youth  homelessness: 
External Linkwww.endhomelessnessnmi.org/youth

Staff Contact Information 

Jann Scalise, M.Ed.
Student Support Counselor
Elk Rapids High School & Sunrise Academy
McKinney-Vento District Liaison
Office hours Monday-Thursday
(231) 264-8108 ext. 3150
[email protected]


Working together to reduce poverty and end homelessness through education.

To make a financial donation, or if you have goods or services to contribute, please contact Jann Scalise at [email protected] or call 231-264-8108 ext. 3150.

Students Share What They Need

  • “I hope your Christmas was as good as you made mine.”

  • “Thank you so much for the sweatshirt - now I have my own.  My Mom and I have been sharing one.”

  • “When I started high school I never expected that my parents would have a horrible divorce, my family would all be split apart and we would all become homeless. This program allowed us all to stay at our same schools.”

Common Signs of Homelessness

Some possible signs that a student may be experiencing homelessness are:

  • Irregular attendance and frequent tardiness
  • History of attending many different schools
  • Consistent lack of preparation for class
  • Sleeping in class
  • Hostility and anger or extremes in behavior
  • (e.g., shyness, withdrawal, nervousness, depression)
  • Needy behavior (seeking attention or withdrawn behavior)
  • Poor health/nutrition
  • Inadequate seasonal clothing
  • Poor hygiene and grooming
  • Resistance to parting with personal possessions
  • (e.g., leaving a favorite toy/item unattended or putting a coat in a locker)
  • Multiple families at the same address
  • Difficulty in reaching a parent by phone

In Michigan, adults and children in families account for 52% of the total homeless population. This number may be underreported and may not include families that have doubled up or are living with friends and relatives due to economic hardship.

What would my donation support?

  • Each school year donated funds support students in need.
  • Needs fulfilled included: school supplies, winter wear, shoes, clothing, extracurricular fees, school photos, water bottles, snacks, personal hygiene items, and more.

How do I make a monetary donation?

  • Contact the MV representative, Jann Scalise via [email protected] or by phone at 231-264-8108 ext. 3150.



SSN Contact

Jann Scalise, M.Ed.

Student Support Counselor

Elk Rapids High School & Sunrise Academy

McKinney-Vento 

District Liaison

Office hours Monday-Thursday

(231) 264-8108 ext. 3150

[email protected]