McKinney-Vento Homeless Services

The following is the policy of the Congress:

1. Each State educational agency shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths.
2. In any State where compulsory residency requirements or other requirements, in laws, regulations, practices, or policies, may act as a barrier to the identification of, or the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of, homeless children and youths, the State educational agency and local educational agencies in the State will review and undertake steps to revise such laws, regulations, practices, or policies to ensure that homeless children and youths are afforded the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths.
3. Homelessness is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment.
4. Homeless children and youths should have access to the education and other services that such children and youths need to ensure that such children and youths have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held.

Definition of Homeless (McKinney-Vento) Children who lack a fixed regular, and adequate night-time residence:

Scholars and families may qualify if they are living in the following situations.

• Shelter or Transitional Housing Program
• Motel/Hotel
• Doubled up with a friend or relative due to loss of housing and economic hardship.
• Unsheltered – parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings.
• Unaccompanied youth not in the physical custody or presence of a parent or legal guardian and living in one of the above situations.