Defined
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures that homeless children and youth have access to free, appropriate public education.
Homeless Defined
An individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including children and youth who are (42 U.S.C.§11434A(2)(B)(i)): ▪ Sharing housing due to loss of housing or economic hardship; ▪ Living in emergency or transitional housing; ▪ Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative adequate housing; and/or ▪ Students who have a primary nighttime residence, a public or private place, not designed or ordinarily used as regular sleeping quarters.
This includes migratory children living in the circumstances above. For Unaccompanied youth, including those not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. Undocumented children and youth in the care of a federally appointed sponsor.
To know...
There is no specific time limit on homelessness.
• There are no age limits cited in the McKinney-Vento Act. In the District of Columbia, it generally applies to children and youth 24 years old and under, consistent with their eligibility for public education services under state and federal law. • Families and youth in homeless situations frequently will not identify themselves as such. This may be due to the stigma and prejudices associated with homelessness or because the family or youth does not recognize that their living situation would be considered a homeless situation under the McKinney Vento Act. • LEA/school-based homeless liaisons (Ms. Lindsey) ensure that students experiencing homelessness enroll in and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.
MKV Liason
- Ms. Lindsey is the primary point of contact between Breakthrough and OSSE’s Homeless Education Program.
responsibilities:
- Ensure that students experiencing homelessness or housing instability are identified in our student information system.
- Ensure that students experiencing homelessness or housing instability have full and equal opportunity to succeed in school.
- Connect families with resources (provided by Breakthrough as well as by community partners)
- Educate families about the rights of students experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
Student Rights
- Immediate Enrollment: regardless of lack of proof of residency, immunization/medical and other school records.
- School Stability: Right to remain in school of origin (last school attended) or attend the school of residence (in area where the family is temporarily residing)
- Have the right to attend the next matriculating school pattern (elementary to middle school and/or middle to high school). If the family gains permanent housing, the student can remain at the current school for the duration of that academic year If high school student gains permanent housing, they are able to remain at that current school site through graduation if they so choose
- Transportation: to/from school if transportation creates a barrier to attendance through the Kids Ride Free program in partnership with WMATA
- Meals: automatically qualify for free and reduced meals
- Dispute Resolution: if a dispute arises the student is immediately admitted and able to attend the requested school while the dispute is being resolved
Breakthrough’s Family Resource Policy
Breakthrough has a Family Resource policy, which names resources the school provides to families experiencing need. Equal access to school programs and opportunities is paramount for student experiencing housing instability. At Breakthrough, students on our MKV roster are priority for receiving all these supports:
- School transportation (KiddoRide or parent SmarTrip cards)
- Scholarship for before/aftercare, Intersession, day camps on no-school days, summer camps
- Grocery support
- High-dosage tutoring (Reading Assist), academic intervention and support
- Other support as needed (clothing, winter coats, personal hygiene items, etc.)
Students identified as homeless during a school year remain eligible for services throughout the entire school year.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act Resources
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- Education for Homeless Children and Youth Non-Regulatory Guidance
- Office of the Attorney General
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
Community Resources
- Bread for the City
- Capital Area Food Bank
- Covenant House of DC
- DC Department of Human Services
- DC Kids Ride Free Program
- DC Central Kitchen
- DC Re-Engagement Center
- Interfaith Council of Metropolitan Washington
- Latin American Youth Center
- Mary's Center
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAECHY)
- National Coalition for the Homeless
- National Center for Homeless Education
- National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty
- National Network for Youth
- Sasha Bruce Youthwork
- School House Connection
- So Others Might Eat (SOME)
- Stand Up For Kids
- Survivor's Advocates For Empowerment
- The Homeless Children's Playtime Project
Credits:
Created with images by Dennis M. Swanson - "Housing is a human right sign being painted on fence" • goodmanphoto - "a row of colorful brownstone buildings" • Maryna - "Colorful ropes intertwined in circle showing unity, teamwork.,Diverse ropes connected represent business metaphor for partnership synergy.,Image collective effort to achieve common goal with strong" • Atlas - "PNG, Concept of school and education, isolated on white background" • tonktiti - "Copy space of home and life concept.,Small model home on green grass with sunlight abstract background."