What is the McKinney Vento Program?
The McKinney-Vento Act provides rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness, which includes those who are: sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative; staying in shelters or transitional housing; or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings.
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, every local educational agency is required to designate a liaison for homeless children and youth.
Transportation to and from school (if applicable)
Enrollment advocacy
School supplies, uniforms, books
Tutoring and counseling
Referrals for clothes and food
Hygiene items
Housing assistance referrals
Medical and dental vouchers (when available)
Birth certificate referrals
Cap and gown fee
A student or family that lives:
doubled-up with friends or relatives on a temporary basis
in a park, motel or campground
in a shelter
in a vehicle
on a street
as a runaway
Attend their school of origin (known as the “home school”) or the school for the area where the student currently lives.
Immediately enroll in school without providing documents, including proof of residency.
(Schools MUST permit you to enroll, even if you do not have these documents.)
They have 30 days to provide the following:
Birth certificates
Immunization records
Physicals (as needed)
Notarized forms
Free lunch beginning first day
Transportation to and from school (if applicable)
Participate in tutoring and other school-related activities
Referrals for uniforms, medical aid and food assistance
Donate school supplies, gift cards, hygiene products, clothing, etc.
Provide financial assistance to pay for housing, cap and gown fees, etc.
Set-up fundraising events
Contact McKinney-Vento staff for more information.
For more information regarding McKinney Vento Federal Law and Policies, please click here.
Jess Reling
785-623-2400
jreling@usd489.com