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State and Federal Programs » Homeless Children and Youth: Mckinney-Vento

Homeless Children and Youth: Mckinney-Vento

 

Washington State Requirements and Guidance for Education of Homeless Children and Youth

 

The McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. McKinney-Vento provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

 

Defining Homeless

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:

  • Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason
  • Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations
  • Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters
  • Children and youth abandoned in hospitals
  • Children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
  • Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations
  • Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations
 

Resources:
The Most Frequently Asked Questions
National Center for Homeless Education


Sonia Ruggles – Zillah School District Homeless Liaison
213 Fourth Avenue, Zillah WA  98953
(509) 829-5911
[email protected]