The Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is designed to address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. School districts must ensure that each homeless child and youth have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth.
The Federal McKinney-Vento states that children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are considered homeless. If you lost your housing due to foreclosure and now live doubled-up with family or friends; live in a shelter, motel, vehicle, camping ground, or temporary trailer; on the street; or in another type of temporary or inadequate housing, your child(ren) may be eligible to receive help through the McKinney-Vento Act.
The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) is a national membership association dedicated to educational excellence for children and youth experiencing homelessness. The NAEHCY website contains information on current legislation, research findings, professional development opportunities and tools, and many other resources that support our work with children and youth.
If you believe your child(ren) may be eligible for the support provided by the McKinney-Vento Act, please contact Karen Malits, district homeless liaison, at the Federal Programs Office at (772) 564-3096.