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Gwinnett County Public Schools

Homeless Education Program

Office of Health and Social Services

Fabienne Michel, LMSW
Homeless Program Social Worker

678-301-7270

Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) implemented The Homeless Education Program (HEP) to ensure access to a free, appropriate public education for children and youth experiencing homelessness. The Homeless Education Program operates in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act, Title VII- B, reauthorized in 2015. The Homeless Education Program Social Worker assists the local schools to assure identified homeless children and youth receive the following services:

  • Timely Enrollment
  • Transportation
  • Education Related Support Services (ERSS)
  • Community Resource Information

The primary goal of the Homeless Education Program is to eliminate barriers to school enrollment and promote academic success for all students. In addition to providing support to local schools, the Homeless Education Program Social Worker, along with the school social workers, serves as the link between families and community resources.

The Homeless Education Program Social Worker is responsible for providing ongoing training to families, schools, and community resources to promote awareness, education, and, most of all, sensitivity to the needs of families/students experiencing homelessness.

Identification of Homeless Students

For purposes of this procedure, the definition of "Homeless Students" will be in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Act and No Child Left Behind criteria.  Homeless Students are those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children who live in shelters, abandoned buildings, cars, and public spaces, as well as those who share housing with other families because of economic hardship or live in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds because of a lack of alternative adequate accommodations. This also includes other situations of unaccompanied homeless youth.

Eligibility

Families experiencing homelessness are required to submit a Student Residency Questionnaire (SRQ) for each student enrolled in a Gwinnett County Public School. Students who meet the eligibility criteria for McKinney Vento can receive services for the entire school year in which the application was submitted. McKinney Vento eligibility ends at the conclusion of the school year. Therefore, to continue receiving services, families must renew McKinney Vento eligibility each year (on or after July 29, 2024) by submitting an SRQ for each student enrolled in Gwinnett County Public Schools.