The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness.
McKinney-Vento defines homelessness as:
- Sharing the housing of others due to loss of one’s own 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;
- Sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings.
Your McKinney-Vento eligible children have the right to:
- 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 the school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference;
- 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;
Your housing status is confidential and will only be shared with your student’s school counselor who will contact you directly to offer assistance.