Housing Insecurity: McKinney-Vento Information

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.) is a federal law that ensures educational rights and services for PreK-12 children and youth experiencing homelessness. It mandates that state and local educational agencies provide support, including:

• Access to Education: Children have the right to attend school, even if they are temporarily living outside their school district.
• Stability: Efforts must be made to keep students in their school of origin whenever possible.
• Support Services: Schools must provide necessary services, such as transportation and free meals.
• Immediate Enrollment: Schools must enroll homeless students immediately, without requiring typical documentation that might not be available.

The U.S. Department of Education offers guidance to assist educational agencies in implementing these provisions effectively, ensuring that homeless students receive the support they need to succeed academically.