The McKinney-Vento Act:

Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are eligible for McKinney-Vento services. In general, children or youth living in motels, transitional housing, shelters, the street, cars, abandoned buildings, and other inadequate accommodations. This includes, but is not limited to, the following groups:

  • Doubled-up: Living with another family/ friend due to lack of a permanent residence

  • Shelters: Including transitional living programs

  • Living in motels: Due to lack of alternative adequate living situation

  • Inadequate space: Homes that are overcrowded, without electricity, without water, broken windows, etc

  • Migratory children: If accommodations are not fit for habitation

  • Unaccompanied youth: Children not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian, even if they can go back to the home of their parents

Rights:

The Education for Homeless Children and Youth program, which is part of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, ensures that eligible children have the following rights:

  • Choice of school: Children eligible for McKinney-Vento services may attend their school of origin (school last attended or school attended when child lost permanent housing) or attend the school that serves their temporary living situation (choice of caregiver)

  • Immediate enrollment: Even if medical or other records, birth certificates, or transcripts cannot be produced at time of enrollment

  • Transportation: Transportation must be provided, if requested

  • Preschool: Priority consideration to preschool programs for eligible youngsters

  • Free lunch & fee waivers: Categorically eligible for free lunch

  • Supplemental tutoring: If needed

Support Offered:

McKinney-Vento funds can be used to assist students with:

  • Academic supports

  • Basic school supplies

  • Basic school clothes

  • Hygiene items

  • Fees paid for field trips

  • Purchase of cap and gowns for graduating high school seniors

  • Free lunch

  • Transportation assistance

  • Specialized training and professional development for teachers and other school staffers

Make a Referral
Contact Us

997 Students Experienced Homelessness in Branch and Hillsdale Counties during the 2022-2023 School Year

42% of children experiencing homelessness are under the age of 6 

Children experiencing homelessness go hungry 2 times as often as their stability housed peers

Students experiencing homelessness are 3 times more likely to experience PTSD than their housed peers

Children experiencing homelessness are 9 times more likely to repeat a grade

28% of LGBTQ youth experienced homelessness or housing instability in their lives

1 in 5 students experiencing homelessness will drop out of high school

Let's remember that kids carry a lot more than what is in their backpacks.