The McKinney-Vento Act covers children and youth who don’t have a fixed, adequate and regular nighttime residence, such as those Living:
- In an emergency or transitional shelter
- With friends or relatives due to loss of housing or economic hardship (also known as doubled up)
- In a motel, hotel or campground
- In a car, bus or train station or other public place
- In an abandoned building or some other inadequate accommodations
Family Rights Under McKinney-Vento
Students who are identified as homeless by the school district’s homeless liaison have the following rights from the point of identification:
- Immediate school enrollment: Even without proof of residency, guardianship, immunizations, or school records.
- School choice: Students may choose to stay at the school of origin (the school attended when permanently housed or the school last attended), or to enroll in the school where currently living for the remainder of the academic year (boundary school).
- Free lunches: Students are automatically eligible to receive free lunch for the duration of the school year.
- School fee waivers: Students have the right to receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to the student’s needs.
- Transportation: Homeless students are eligible to receive transportation to and from the school of origin for the duration of the school year. Transportation shall be provided in accordance with district transportation guidelines.
