Ardmore City Schools
District Homeless Liaison:
Sabra Emde (580) 221-3001, ext 252   Room 216, Administration Offices
State Homeless Coordinator:
Alice Byrd (405) 521-2785  
National Center for Homeless Education:
800-308-2145   www.serve.org/nche

Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Have the Right to a Free, Appropriate Public Education
Ardmore City Schools is proud to offer the grant-funded McKinney-Vento (MV) program and services to its eligible students.  The MV program provides much needed support and resources to over 200 students attending Ardmore Schools.  Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the program and information about who is eligible and how the ACS MV program may be of assistance.
Q & A
Q.  Who is homeless?
A.  Anyone who, due to a lack of housing, lives:
- In a shelter
- In a motel/hotel
- In a vehicle
- In a campground
- On the street
- Doubled-up with relatives or friends due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
Q.  Where can homelss children and youth attend school? 
A.  Homeless children and youth can choose to attend either of the following:
- The school of origin:  the school that the child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled
- The local attendance area school:  any public school that non-homeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend
(In determining which school the child will attend the focus is placed on what is in the best interest of the child.)
Q.  Can students experiencing homelessness be denied enrollment for lacking paperwork that is normally required for enrollment?
A.  No.  Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, children and youth experiecing homelessness have the right to immediate enrollment, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment, such as:
- Birth certificate
- Immunization or other health/medical records
- Previous academic records
- Proof of residency
- Proof of guardianship
* (The District Homeless Liaison or Site Homeless Liaison may assist in obtaining these documents for the student's school record.  However, enrollment and full participation in school will continue uninterrupted.)

* Preschool-aged and school-aged children experiencing homelessness have certain rights or protections under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.  To find out more contact the Ardmore City Schools District Homeless Liaison, Sabra Emde, at 580-221-3001, ext 252 or email her at semde@ardmore.k12.ok.us
* What You Need to Know to Help Your Child in School (A Guide for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers of Children Experiencing Homelessness)  ...  parentbrochure_eng.pdf   parentbrochure_sp.pdf

If your family lives in any of the above-mentioned situations, you should do the following:
- Contact the District Homeless Liaison for help in enrolling your child in a new school or arranging for your child to continue in his/her former school.  (Or, someone at a shelter, social services office or the school can direct you to the person you need to contact.)
- Contact the school and provide any information you think will assist the teachers in helping your child adjust to new circumstances.
- Ask the District or Site Homeless Liaison, the shelter provider, or a social worker for assistance with clothing and school supplies, if needed.
Ardmore City Schools Homeless Liaison Directory