The number of homeless served in Fairbanks is on the rise. The percentage of families represented among the homeless continues to grow, and due to the trend in utility costs and rent, the number is expected to increase further. Outreach efforts are needed to ensure that every child or youth experiencing homelessness receives the same educational opportunities as other children. The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program addresses this particular student population.

Program Purpose & Mission
The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program is designed to address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. Under this program, State educational agencies (SEAs) must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth. Children and youth experiencing homelessness should have access to the educational and other services that they need to enable them to meet the challenging State student academic achievement standards to which all students are held.

The mission of the Homeless Education Program is to promote the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Two Social Services Managers (SSM) have been designated to ensure that children in homeless situations are identified, informed of their educational rights, enrolled in school, and receive appropriate services to meet challenging academic standards.

Any child or youth experiencing homelessness and attending any school in the district is automatically eligible for Title I services. Schools must immediately enroll homeless students even if the students are unable to produce the records normally required for enrollment.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is committed to promoting the academic success of all children and youth in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. The school district will ensure that all children including children and youth in transition/homeless situations receive free appropriate opportunities to succeed in our schools.

The Title I Homeless Education Program offers educational support and services to children, youth, and their families who have lost their homes due to economic hardship, abuse, family conflict or other reasons. This includes families and youth living temporarily in a shelter, motel, with a relative, friend, substandard housing or on the street.