McKinney Vento Information

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope this message finds you well. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students at Amana Academy West Atlanta. As part of this commitment, we want to make you aware of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a federal law that ensures educational rights and support for students experiencing homelessness.

What is the McKinney-Vento Act?

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law designed to provide important rights and resources to students who find themselves without a stable place to live. It applies to children and youth who are living in temporary or transitional housing situations, including:

  • Shelters or emergency housing
  • Motels or hotels
  • With friends or family due to loss of housing or economic hardship

How Does the Act Help Your Child?

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, your child has the right to:

  • Immediate enrollment in school, even if you don’t have all the required documents.
  • Attend the school they attended before becoming homeless (if feasible) or the school closest to where you’re currently staying.
  • Access the same educational programs and services as housed students.
  • Receive transportation to and from school if it’s in their best interest.
  • Be free from discrimination and stigma based on their housing situation.

Our Support for McKinney-Vento Students:

At Amana Academy West Atlanta, we have a designated McKinney-Vento liaison who is here to help. If your family is experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, please reach out to Latanya Farrar at 678-331-9062 or lfarrar@amanaacademy.org. We are here to provide support and ensure your child’s educational needs are met.

Additional Resources:

For more information about the McKinney-Vento Act and available resources, please visit our school website https://amanaacademy.org/west-atlanta/, where you can find additional information.

We understand that facing homelessness is a challenging situation, and we are here to support your family during this time. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We are committed to working together to ensure that every student at Amana Academy West has the opportunity to succeed.

Sincerely,

Latanya Farrar

Homeless Liaison

MVA Information Pamphlet Amana West