Homeless & Youth-in-Care Support

Homeless Support Program

Warren Township High School's program for students experiencing housing instability under The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures students have access to education and can fully participate in school. We encourage student’s education by removing barriers that would limit their ability to fully engage and participate in school activities and events. We strive to partner with families to stay involved in their student’s education by providing resources and community referrals to assist with educational support services and basic needs.

Students who are experiencing homelessness have the right to remain in their school of origin or enroll in the local attendance area school nearest to their nighttime residence. Upon request, transportation is provided for eligible students so they can remain in their school of origin if it is in the student's best interest. 

Families should complete the district's Housing Questionnaire and submit it to the McKinney-Vento Liaison to see if your child(ren) may be eligible for McKinney-Vento services. 

If you are another school making a transportation request:

Contact the District: McKinney-Vento District Liaison, Janice Zimmerman, LCSW, 847-548-6853 or jzimmerman@wths.net.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that guarantees all children and youth the right to an equal education regardless of their living situation.  Protection under the McKinney-Vento Act extends to those who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. This includes:

• Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
• Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters or transitional housing (this generally includes a time limit on the housing assistance and case management by the housing agency)
• Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
• Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
• Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
• Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
• Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations

Local Housing Resources are also available through:

• Text 211 - or www.211lakecounty.org 
• Lake County Housing Authority - https://www.lakecountyil.gov/1950/Homeless-Assistance
• PADS Lake County - https://www.padslakecounty.org/

UNDER THE MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT, YOUR ELIGIBLE CHILDREN HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

If you believe your children may be eligible, please contact the support liaison below to find out what services and supports may be available. 

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.
• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference. **If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided for other students, according to your children’s needs.
• District 121 Local Liaison – Janice Zimmerman, 847-548-6853 or jzimmerman@wths.net
• O'Plaine Campus Registrar - Christy Thedorf, 847-599-4761 or cthedorf@wths.net
• Almond Campus Registrar - Jen Salmi, 847-548-6740 or jsalmi@wths.net
• If you need further assistance with your children’s educational needs, you may contact the National Center for Homeless Education at 1-800-308-2145 or homeless@serve.org* http://nche.ed.gov

Students placed in out-of-home care often experience educational disruptions that can impact their academic experiences and outcomes. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and Child Welfare Agencies (CWAs) collaborate to implement policies and practices that minimize those disruptions and preserve students’ opportunities for improved well-being and success in school.

Please Contact the District by contacting our Youth-in-Care Liaison, Janice Zimmerman, LCSW, at 847-548-6853 or emailing jzimmerman@wths.net.

Any other questions, please email youthincare@isbe.net​ 

Forms

• BID Template
• Flow ​Chart​
• Youth in Care – Glossary
• Youth in Care – FAQ
• School Enrollment and Placement Guidelines for Children and Youth in DCFS Care – Department of Children ​and Family Services
• National Education Brochure – National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges

Youth in Care and Career Guidance

• Career Guide – ISBE
• Super Strategies for Youth in Care – ISBE​