Statement

In 1987, Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, (subsequently renamed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) to aid homeless persons. The Act defines the term “homeless children and youths” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. On December 10, 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was enacted, amending McKinney-Vento.

What is the definition of a “homeless youth” under McKinney-Vento?

“Homeless” is defined as “anyone lacking a fixed, adequate, regular nighttime residence.”What situations fit this definition?

  • Staying in the home of other people due to unavailable housing, financial hardship, or similar circumstances
  • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks (in some instances – examples: leaking roof, no heat, etc.), public places, or campgrounds due to unavailable suitable housing options
  • Living in an emergency shelter or transitional housing
  • Unaccompanied (not living in direct care of legal parent or guardian) or runaway youth
  • Refugee and migrant youth
Homeless Youth

Accordion

    The Educational Rights of Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness

    The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires that children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to educational and other services necessary to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held. State and local education agencies are required to remove barriers to the identification, enrollment, attendance, and academic success of children and youth experiencing homelessness (42 U.S.C. §§11431-11432). 

    For more information on the rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness, please review the Arizona Homeless Education Program Sample Rights of Homeless Students.

    Potentially Qualifying Living Situations

    To qualify for services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, children and youth may be living in situations such as:  

    • Sharing housing with other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason, 
    • Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations, 
    • Living in emergency or transitional shelters,  
    • Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings, or 
    • Having a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
    Parents and Guardians

    If you believe that your or your child(ren)’s living situation may qualify them for the educational rights and services ensured under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, please reach out to your school district’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison.

    Youth

    If you believe that your living situation may qualify you for the educational rights and services ensured under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, even if you are not in the physical custody of a parent or court-appointed guardian, please reach out to your school district’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison.

    Who can I contact to find out if my child qualifies?

    Every school district has a local McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison who determines if students qualify for services. They can help you decide which school is the best for your child to attend, and help with enrolling in and communicating with your child’s school. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison can also help your child get school supplies, supplemental services, and free school meals; set up transportation to and from the school of origin; and help you find community support.  

    To connect with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison:

    Mrs. Karol Coffman

    McKinney-Vento Liaison

    928-537-5463

    kcoffman@vernon.k12.az.us

    How does McKinney-Vento help these students?

    The law makes sure that these students receive a free and suitable public education by removing barriers to school enrollment and full, basic, daily participation in school activities. This includes:

    • Free and Reduced School Lunch
    • Help from school with any necessary enrollment documents
    • Help from school setting up transportation service (if the student qualifies)
    • Help from school with getting basic uniform clothing
    • Help from school with basic school supplies
    • Help from school with any basic clothing needs
    • Help from school with basic high school graduation needs and expenses