Students who are homeless have educational rights under Federal law (the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act). 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

The McKinney-Vento Act protects the educational rights of homeless children and youth. Your child CAN get the EDUCATION she or he DESERVES! Any child who qualifies for McKinney-Vento services because of homelessness, or any of the above conditions, has RIGHTS.

Jeanne Foster, Program Coordinator
jfoster@crschools.org
360-501-3130

Resources

School Board Policies Regarding Homeless Students

Forms & District Information