Homeless Children & Youth

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary federal (U.S) law dealing with the education of children and youth in homeless situations. The McKinney-Vento Act protects the right of homeless children and youth to get to, stay in, and be successful in school while they or their families are homeless. The law focuses on maintaining school stability and school access and providing support for academic success for homeless kids. The law also requires schools and states to use child-centered, best-interest decision making when working with homeless children and their families to choose a homeless child’s school, services, and other needed resources.

To learn more about the education rights of children and youth who are homeless, view or download the pdf document below or contact: Alena Martes, McKinney Vento Coordinator: Phone: (802) 885-5112 Email: [email protected]

Education Rights of Children and Youth who are Homeless

Learn More & Find Assistance

The Goals of McKinney-Vento Legislation

Identifying homeless children and youth
Immediate enrollment and facilitation of enrollment disputes
Ensuring access to school and appropriate educational services
Reducing school transfers and supporting educational stability and continuity
Increasing parental choice and involvement regarding school enrollment
Ensuring the educational rights of unaccompanied youth, and
Providing information about the rights of homeless children and youth

Visit the Vermont Agency of Education website for additional information.

Why do homeless children and youth need a federal law to protect their right to an education?

Homeless children and youth face lots of barriers in trying to enroll, remain, and be successful in school, including:

Enrollment requirements (school records, health records, proof of residence, and guardianship)
High mobility resulting in a lack of school stability and educational continuity.
Lack of transportation
Lack of school supplies, clothing, etc
Poor health, fatigue, hunger, anxiety/trauma
Invisibility (lack of awareness)
Prejudice and misunderstanding
For unaccompanied youth (youth who do not live with their parents or a guardian): lack of adult guardian; need for employment; credit accrual policies; concerns of capture by authorities.

Who are homeless children and youth?

The McKinney-Vento Act’s definition of who qualifies as a homeless child or youth is quite broad: “Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence,” including, but not limited to:

Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason (“doubled up”)
Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations
Living in emergency or transitional shelters
Abandoned in hospitals
Awaiting foster care placement
Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live
Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, etc.
Migratory children living in the above circumstances

Is there an age limit on who is eligible for McKinney-Vento services?

What do I do if my school-aged children become homeless?

Notify your child(ren)’s school as soon as you can and fill out the necessary form so that they can work with you to decide future educational services.

Children who are experiencing homelessness are eligible for their school’s nutrition program. Your local school can help to facilitate access to nutrition, transportation, and possibly other resources. They will contact the SSD Homeless liaison on your behalf.

Resources