McKinney Vento Information

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights of students in temporary housing. Under this law, your children are entitled to important rights and services.  McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as any student “who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” Students who meet this definition have the following rights: 

• Transportation: If your children stay in their same school, they can get free transportation to/from that school. If you move from temporary to permanent housing during the school year, your children will still get transportation for at least the rest of the school year, and maybe one more year, if it’s their last year in the building. This includes pre-school aged students. 
• School Choice: If you move into temporary housing, your children have 3 school choices! They can stay in the same school they went to when you had a permanent address, OR stay in their most recent school, OR transfer to the school for where you are staying now. This includes public preschool programs. 
• Immediate Enrollment: You can enroll your children in school without the usually required documents. The school must enroll your children within 1 day even without immunization forms, guardianship papers, birth certificates, or proof of address. After your children are enrolled, the school can help you get any needed records. 
• Free Meals and Title I Services: Your children can get free meals at school. You do not need to fill out any forms about your family’s finances. Students in temporary housing can also get Title I services, including emergency supplies, counseling, tutoring, etc. 
• Help from McKinney-Vento Liaison: Every school district has a McKinney-Vento liaison. The liaison is a staff person who will help you enroll your child in school and connect you and your family with services. YWCP’s McKinney-Vento liaison is Annie Hasler. Please contact her at ahasler@youngwomenscollegeprep.org.