McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act authorizes the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program and is the primary piece of federal legislation related to the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness.
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HOMELESS IS DEFINED AS:
- Anyone who does not have a stable home.
- Anyone staying with family because he/she lost housing.
- Anyone living in a shelter, including transitional programs.
- Anyone staying in motels because he/she cannot obtain housing of their own.
- Anyone living on the streets, in a car, van, tent or other non-permanent structure.
- Anyone unaccompanied or doubled–up in a home with a non-legal guardian, ie. foster care.
The McKinney-Vento program is designed to address problems that homeless children and youth face in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school.
Homeless children and youth should have access to the educational and other services that they need to enable them to meet the same challenging State student academic achievement standards to which all students are held.
Under this program, State educational agencies (SEAs) must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth.
Homeless students may not be separated from the mainstream school environment. States and districts are required to review and undertake steps to revise laws, regulations, practices, or policies that may act as a barrier to the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of homeless children and youth.
HOW DOES MCKINNEY-VENTO HELP STUDENTS?
Makes sure that students receive a free and suitable public education by removing barriers to school enrollment and full, basic, daily participation in school activities.
This includes:
- Immediate enrollment
- Free and Reduced School Lunch
- Help from school with any enrollment documents
- Help with transportation