Eligibility for the Program

Any child or youth, including unaccompanied youth, who lack a fixed, regular, or adequate nighttime residence is considered homeless and is eligible for assistance and services through the Mckinney-Vento program. This includes children and youth who are temporarily doubled up or couch surfing with others due to economic hardship, those who are living temporarily in motels, campgrounds, emergency shelters, cars, or other similar settings, and those in transitional housing programs. This also includes youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian who are living in one of the situations listed above.

Educational Rights of Children and Youth in Transition

To remove barriers to education and to provide educational stability and support, students in the program are entitled to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education

• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment

• Either enroll in their neighborhood school, or continue attending their school or origin (the school they attended when last permanently housed, or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is the preference and feasible. 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 (see Dispute Resolution Policy below).

• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin

Services for McKinney-Vento Students:

• Free meals at school

• Transportation to and from school of origin

• Access to basic needs items and school supplies

• Free tutoring

• Fee waivers for school related activities and sports

• Connections to community resources