McKinney-Vento (Housing Instability)

McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youth Program provides children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, adequate nighttime residence equal access to public education. Students qualifying for McKinney-Vento services include individuals who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship or similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds due to lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals. Migratory children living in the above circumstances also qualify for McKinney-Vento services. Unaccompanied Youth are defined as children or youth who meet the definition of homeless not residing in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Educational Rights

Children and youth in transition who fit the McKinney-Vento definition have certain rights, including:

• Immediate enrollment, even if they lack the documents needed at the time of enrollment.
• Free meals and textbooks.
• Assist with the retrieval of immunization records and birth certificates.
• Transportation to and from the school of origin.
• Referrals to community resources (i.e., counseling, medical, dental, and mental health referrals).
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) verification letters.
• Participation within eligible before- and after-school programs.
• School uniforms and school supplies.
• Cap and gowns for graduating seniors.
• Students' Rights.
• School districts must reserve a portion of Title IA funds to serve homeless students;
• School districts must review and revise policies that provide barriers to homeless students;
• Schools must post information in the community regarding the rights of homeless students, in schools and other places that homeless families may frequent; and
• School districts must identify a McKinney-Vento Liaison to assist students.

Newsletter/Bulletin

March 2026