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McKinney Vento

McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

Ensuring immediate enrollment and educational stability.

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. This program provides federal funding to states for the purpose of supporting district programs that serve homeless students.

Defining Homeless

The Act defines homeless as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." Examples include:

  • Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reasons.
  • Children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or campgrounds.
  • Children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters.
  • Children and youth abandoned in hospitals.
  • Children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, or abandoned buildings.
  • Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations.

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

A youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian and lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate residence is eligible for services. Runaway youth and unaccompanied homeless youth are eligible to be enrolled **immediately without a legal guardian.**

Schools must immediately alert the School or District McKinney-Vento Liaison if presented with a possible runaway or unaccompanied homeless youth. **The provisions of the McKinney-Vento Act supersede any state law or local policy that may conflict with this act.**

State Coordinator Contact

Lisa Phillips, State Coordinator for Homeless Education

National Center for Homeless Education (SERVE Center at UNCG)

Email: lphillip@serve.org

Helpline: 800.308.2145

Website: center.serve.org/hepnc/

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