Homelessness
Supporting Students & Families Experiencing Homelessness
The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District is committed to supporting students and families experiencing housing instability, ensuring every child has access to a consistent, high-quality education. Housing challenges can create serious learning obstacles and are often misunderstood. By building awareness across our district, we hope to reduce stigma, encourage empathy, and build a more supportive community for all our students.
Explore the resources below to learn more.
Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District Resources
McKinney-Vento Guidlines/Procedures Informational Brochure (for families)
Chippewa County Resources and Contacts Informational Brochure (for staff)
Per the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, The phrase “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to economic hardship. It includes children and youth who are temporarily sharing the housing of another person due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason or are living in emergency shelters, in a motel, hotel, car, campground or similar situation due to lack of housing.
- Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
- Families sharing a home with other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.
- Families living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
- Families living in emergency or traditional shelters.
- Families living in a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
- Families living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
- Migratory children qualify as homeless because the children are living in the circumstances described above.
- A child living as an unaccompanied youth also qualifies for the same services and rights as those of homeless students.
Immediate School Enrollment:
Even without proof of residency, guardianship, immunizations, or school records, students may enroll, attend classes, and participate in all school activities while the school arranges for the transfer of records.
School Stability:
Students have the right to stay at their school of origin (where they attended when permanently housed) or enroll in the school where they are currently living- whichever is in their best interest.
School Fee Waivers:
Students have the right to equal access to education and full participation.
Free School Meals:
Students experiencing homelessness are automatically eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch for the school year.
Transportation:
Students can receive transportation to and from their school of origin, as covered by district transportation policies.
Educational Support:
The district may also assist with acquiring school supplies
Opportunities to Participate:
Students have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students, including supplemental educational services and extracurricular activities.
-
Per the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, The phrase “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to economic hardship. It includes children and youth who are temporarily sharing the housing of another person due to the loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason or are living in emergency shelters, in a motel, hotel, car, campground or similar situation due to lack of housing.
-
- Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
- Families sharing a home with other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.
- Families living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations.
- Families living in emergency or traditional shelters.
- Families living in a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
- Families living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
- Migratory children qualify as homeless because the children are living in the circumstances described above.
- A child living as an unaccompanied youth also qualifies for the same services and rights as those of homeless students.
-
Immediate School Enrollment:
Even without proof of residency, guardianship, immunizations, or school records, students may enroll, attend classes, and participate in all school activities while the school arranges for the transfer of records.
School Stability:
Students have the right to stay at their school of origin (where they attended when permanently housed) or enroll in the school where they are currently living- whichever is in their best interest.
School Fee Waivers:
Students have the right to equal access to education and full participation.
Free School Meals:
Students experiencing homelessness are automatically eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch for the school year.
Transportation:
Students can receive transportation to and from their school of origin, as covered by district transportation policies.
Educational Support:
The district may also assist with acquiring school supplies
Opportunities to Participate:
Students have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students, including supplemental educational services and extracurricular activities.