The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Title X, Part C) supports students who may be experiencing homelessness as a result of economic hardship, foreclosure, severe medical bills, natural disaster, domestic violence or abuse.  The law requires students to be immediately enrolled and for all barriers to full participation in the educational program to be removed.

Schools provide safety, stability and hope for the future through education.  To support students’ regular attendance in school, funds may be used to provide assistance with clothing, transportation, health needs, and efforts to secure birth certificates, immunization and academic records, tutoring to earn or reclaim credit, free lunch, and fee waivers.  The Homeless Liaison works closely with other community agencies to support students.

Who is Homeless or Displaced?

Families living in any of the following situations:

• Student is sharing a residence with one or more families.  They may be staying with grandparents, relatives, or friends due to economic hardship.
• Student is living in a shelter (domestic violence, emergency, or transitional housing units).
• Student is living in a car, trailer, motel, park, street, campground, or public space.
• Student is living in an abandoned building, a place without adequate facilities (not designed for heat, electricity, water, etc.).
• Student is seeking enrollment without an accompanying guardian (not in foster care).  This includes students who:
  • have been left with grandparents or relatives
  • have been kicked out of their homes
  • have left home because of unsafe conditions