McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance

HPTS works to ensure students experiencing homelessness and temporary living situations have the opportunity to receive a stable, continuous education, regardless of their housing situation.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of students experiencing homelessness. McKinney-Vento is intended to provide students experiencing homelessness the same educational opportunities as housed students by removing as many barriers to learning as possible.

The McKinney-Vento Act defines children experiencing homelessness as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” This definition includes (but is not limited to) children who are:

• sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing (e.g. doubled-up)

• living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds

• living in emergency or transitional shelters

• sleeping in places unfit for human habitation (e.g. park benches)

• living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, etc.

Students experiencing homelessness have the right to:

• Receive a free, appropriate public education.

• Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.

• Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers needed documents.

• Enroll in the local school; or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference.

  • If the school district believes that the school you select is not in the best interest of your child(ren), then the district must provide you with a written explanation of its position and inform you of your right to appeal its decision.

• Receive transportation to and from the school of origin, if you request this.

• Receive educational services comparable to those provided to other students, according to your child(ren)’s needs.

If you believe your child(ren) may be eligible, please contact the local school McKinney-Vento Liaison to find out what services and supports may be available.

Tiffany Scullion, HPTS McKinney-Vento Liaison
906-482-0450 ext 1110
tscullion@hpts.us