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Homeless Education Program (HEP)

If you have lost housing or are moving from place to place, you may be eligible for services through the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Homeless Education Program (HEP).

Homeless Education Program logo

This program exists to help youth experiencing homelessness succeed in school. Allowing a student to stay in their own school can provide stability, support, and comfort when a family is homeless. MPS has options to keep children in their own schools. 

The HEP is part of the Department of Student Services and is located at MPS Central Services (5225 W. Vliet Street). A school-based homeless contact is in every MPS school to assist families and students experiencing homelessness.
 

Definition of Homelessness

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act was created to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness have the same opportunity to be successful in school as their housed peers.

The Act defines children, youth, and/or families experiencing homelessness as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” You are considered homeless if you are:

  • Sharing housing (doubled up) with family or friends due to economic or other hardship reasons
  • Staying in a shelter, transitional living program, hotel/motel, or campground
  • Living on the street, in a car, in an abandoned building, or in other inadequate accommodations
  • Living anywhere but your home with your legal parent/guardian, including youth who have left home, "run away," or been kicked out or asked to leave
     

Rights of Students Experiencing Homelessness

McKinney-Vento ensures that all students experiencing homelessness have the right to a free appropriate public education without barriers. In particular, they have the right to:

  • Stay in the same school and get free transportation to that school even if it is across district lines.

  • Immediately enroll in school without records (school records, medical records, vaccination records, proof of residency, birth certificates).
  • Get special education services immediately if they have a current Individualized Education Program (IEP).
  • Participate fully in school activities without barriers, including before- or after-school activities sponsored by the school.
  • Get support services and help with things like school supplies, a school uniform, and school fees.
  • Be automatically eligible for free school meals.
  • Get help enrolling in pre-K or other preschool programs.
  • Get help preparing for and applying to college.

Read the MPS Student Rights Letter (McKinney-Vento) 
 

What We Help With

To remove barriers to education, a number of services are available to students experiencing homelessness. Depending on each student’s individual needs, these services may include:

  • Enrollment, including help in obtaining needed school and medical records and immunizations
  • Transportation to and from the student's school of origin
  • Free breakfast/lunch
  • Tutorial programs
  • Before- and after- school programs
  • Books and school supplies
  • Waiver of school fees
  • Preschool/early education programs
  • Translation and ESL services
  • School health services
  • Title I services and programs
  • Special education programs for students with disabilities
  • Vocational and technical programs
  • Alternative and at-risk programs
  • Gifted and talented programs
  • Referral to social services agencies, community resources, and other related services
  • Assistance with appeal process if you feel your rights have been denied

Parents/guardians of children or unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness should discuss their situation with their school social worker (SSW) or with the homeless coordinators in the Department of Student Services. Once eligibility is determined, services can be coordinated. Call (414) 475-8911 for more information.

Learn How You Can Help Support Our Students (PDF)


Student Placement Dispute Process

When a dispute arises over school placement, the parent/caregiver or unaccompanied youth should complete an online Family Resolution Form. Our Welcome Center staff members can assist you with completing the form in person, or you can speak with them before you complete it by calling (414) 475-8204.

Once filed, your complaint will be routed to the appropriate area, and you will be contacted regarding your concerns. The Homeless Liaison will make a determination based on the information and will send the disputant a copy of the determination. The student has the right to attend their school of choice until the dispute is resolved. Appeals may be filed by contacting the State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth at (608) 267-1284. For disputes not related to homelessness, please refer to the MPS Parent/Student Handbook on Rights, Responsibilities, and Discipline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Community Resources

Local (Milwaukee)

Milwaukee Area Guide to Community Resources: English Guide | Spanish Guide

State (Wisconsin)

National

More Information

If you have any questions, please contact:

Homeless Education Program
Email: hepplanning@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: (414) 475-8911
Address: Central Services | 5225 W. Vliet Street | Milwaukee, WI 53208

Nicole Cain, MSW | Homeless Liaison
Manager, School Social Work and Community Services
Email: cainn@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Phone: (414) 438-3416

MPS Staff: To request a designed brochure with HEP information for print purposes, please contact webmaster@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. (Multiple languages are available.)