McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
All school-aged homeless children are entitled to the same free and appropriate public education that is provided to non-homeless students. Definition of Homeless: A student between the ages of 0 to 22, who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and:
- Has a primary nighttime residence that is a shelter designated to provide temporary living accommodations such as shelters, motels/hotels, domestic violence shelters, and transitional housing
- Lives in a car, park, abandoned building, public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
- Lives temporarily in a trailer park or camping area due to the lack of adequate living accommodations.
- Lives “doubled-up” with another family, due to loss of housing, stemming from financial problems
- Is abandoned at a hospital
- Resides in a home for school-aged, unwed mother or mother-to-be, if there are no other available living accommodations
- Is awaiting foster care in limited circumstances but does not include placement in a foster family, foster family agency or group home
- Is placed by the state in an emergency shelter due to lack of alternative housing
- Is an abandoned or runaway youth or migratory child living in any of the circumstances described above.
Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Rights and Protection Reminders
Local educational agencies (LEAs) must ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness are able to participate fully in school activities and that barriers to identification, enrollment, and retention in school are identified and removed. Children and youth experiencing homelessness have the right to:
- Ability to Enroll Immediately in School - regardless of ability to produce immunization and residency paperwork.
- Transportation - continue providing transportation support as needed to eliminate barriers to enrollment, participation and retention in school.
- Academic Access and Success - this includes free meals and all other academic supports afforded to their housed peers and more.