McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The term “homeless children and youth” — (A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence …; and (B) includes— (i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement; (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings … (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and (iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses.

• Receive a free, appropriate public education
• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment
• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents
• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school or origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible. o If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your children, then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision
• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this
• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your children's needs

The McKinney-Vento Act requires that children experiencing homelessness be enrolled in school without delay. When registering, parents will be asked for school records, birth certificate, and immunization records. If the parent does not have all of these items, the child will be enrolled and the school will work with you to obtain these documents. 

The school's academic support provider (ASP) and the McKinney-Vento/foster youth counselor are designated as liaisons for families that are experiencing homelessness. The ASP is responsible for giving you a copy of the parent and student rights under the McKinney-Vento Act and working with you to complete the McKinney-Vento Program's Homeless Student Services form.

Parents must complete the McKinney-Vento student services form each year that the child continues to live in temporary housing. Failure to complete this form prior to the start of each school year can result in a delay of services.