The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness, which includes those who are: sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative; staying in shelters or transitional housing; or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, every local educational agency is required to designate a liaison for homeless children and youth.
Services Offered:
- Transportation to and from school (if applicable)
- Enrollment advocacy
- School supplies, uniforms, books
- Tutoring and counseling
- Referrals for clothes and food
- Hygiene items
- Housing assistance referrals
- Medical and dental vouchers (when available)
- Birth certificate referrals
- Cap and gown fee
Who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services?
A student or family that lives:
- doubled-up with friends or relatives on a temporary basis
- in a park, motel or campground
- in a shelter
- in a vehicle
- on a street
- as a runaway
A McKinney-Vento student has the right to:
- Attend their school of origin (known as the “home school”) or the school for the area where the student currently lives.
- Immediately enroll in school without providing documents, including proof of residency.
- (Schools MUST permit you to enroll, even if you do not have these documents.)
They have 30 days to provide the following:
-
- Birth certificates
- Immunization records
- Physicals (as needed)
- Notarized forms
- Free lunch beginning first day
- Transportation to and from school (if applicable)
- Participate in tutoring and other school-related activities
- Referrals for uniforms, medical aid and food assistance
How You Can Help:
- Donate school supplies, gift cards, hygiene products, clothing, etc.
- Provide financial assistance to pay for housing, cap and gown fees, etc.
- Set-up fundraising events
Contact McKinney-Vento staff for more information.
