McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
What is the McKinney Vento Act?
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law which provides educational support for students who are experiencing homelessness. It ensures that students who are experiencing homelessness have equal access to the same public education and transportation to and from school as non-homeless children and youth.
Who qualifies?
- A family experiencing any of the situations below may qualify for McKinney-Vento services:
- Sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason
- Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations
- Abandoned in hospitals
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
- Migratory children who qualify as homeless within the purposes previously stated
What services are offered to students who qualify for McKinney-Vento services?
- Continuity of school placement: In order for a student to maintain consistency in their education, students may continue to attend the school they last attended. This school is called the school of origin. This includes schools across county lines.
- Transportation: Transportation must be provided to all students living 2 or more miles away from the school location
- Free Lunch: All students who qualify for McKinney-Vento services receive free lunch.
- Immediate Enrollment: All students who qualify for McKinney-Vento services are entitled to immediate enrollment, even if they do not have the proper paperwork at the time of enrollment.
Helpful Tips and Reminders
- All families must register for McKinney-Vento services each year. Enrollment does not roll over from year to year.
- The application process and point of contact can be found on each school district website.