Casanya Amenyuie

Attendance Agent Supervisor & Homeless Educator
Email Casanya Amenyuie

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures the educational rights and protections of children and youth experiencing homelessness.

Over 1.1 million children and youth are affected by homelessness annually. These young individuals confront numerous challenges, such as:

• Scarcity of basic needs like food, clothing, and medical care.

• Educational disruptions due to frequent relocations.

• Emotional and psychological stress stemming from poverty and unstable living conditions.

For children and youth with disabilities who are homeless, these challenges are compounded. Adhering to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is crucial in ensuring these children and youth receive necessary services to thrive in educational settings and beyond. Enhancing collaboration across different programs can also significantly improve support for homeless children and youth.

In terms of assistance available for families dealing with homelessness, the McKinney-Vento Act plays a pivotal role. This federal legislation grants immediate school enrollment rights to homeless children and youth, bypassing typical document requirements. It also allows them to remain in the same school even amid residential changes.

Every school district is required to have a designated homeless education liaison. This individual is responsible for identifying and providing support to homeless children and youth within the district.

McKinney-Vento Act

Subtitle VII-B of The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act authorizes the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program and is the primary piece of federal legislation related to the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It was reauthorized in December 2015 by Title IX, Part A, of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

How does McKinney Vento define homelessness?

The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This definition also includes: Children and youth who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason.

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 campgrounds 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.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless. Assistance Act, Education Sections. This law gives homeless children and youth the right to: 

• Remain in the same school even if they move.

• Enroll immediately in a new school without.