POSSIBLE REASONS FOR QUALIFYING:

The McKinney-Vento Act ensures that students who face housing instability and hardship have access to a free, appropriate and public education, despite the lack of a fixed living environment or a supervising parent or guardian. The term "housing instability" includes children and families living in:

• Doubled-up housing - living temporarily with family or friends due to economic hardship or a similar reason.

• Couch surfing.

• Runaway youth shelters.

• Hotels or motels.

• Shelters or transitional housing, including domestic violence shelters and clean and sober living programs.

• Cars, abandoned buildings, parks, on the street.

• Campgrounds or inadequate trailer homes

• Substandard housing - spaces which may have mold, rodents, or lack access to heating, cooling, electricity, running water. 

• Youth living on their own without a parent or legal guardian (known as unaccompanied youth)

If you currently find yourself in any of the situations described above, you or your children are entitled to assistance.

Students experiencing housing instability have the right to:

• Stay in the same school for the entire school year, even if they move into new housing outside of the school district*

• Receive transportation to school: School bus, gas cards or other agreed upon transportation agreement 

• Access to the free school meals program (Free breakfast, lunch and milk at snack time)

• Receive educational services comparable to those of other students -- access to field trips, school activities, school programs, etc.

*if feasible and in the child's best interest. Best interest findings must always be made by a McKinney-Vento Liaison