What is McKinney Vento?

The McKinney-Vento Act is federal legislation that ensures all children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to a free and appropriate public education.  Essentially the aim is to ensure that students and families that are in transition, receive support that mitigates difficulty in their pursuit of education.  Texas Education Code (TEC) §§ 25.001, 25.002, and 29.153 address educational rights for homeless students.

Who is homeless?

Homeless children and youth is defined as:

• (A) means individuals who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence …; and

• (B) includes—

(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;

(ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings …

(iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and

(iv) migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

How do students qualify for services?

If you or someone you know needs support and believe you qualify, please contact your campus administrator. Each campus has an identified Campus McKinney-Vento Liaison; please call the campus office to connect with them.  Additional contact information is listed on our website.  In order for a student to qualify, they must first meet eligibility criteria.  This identification process is generic throughout all school systems.  The identification process will require school personnel to speak with a parent or guardian to confirm details and establish eligibility.

You are very important to us and we want to make sure you have the information you need.  The document below provides all campus contact information.  For more information or additional resources please review the resources listed below.  As always you are welcome to contact the Campus McKinney-Vento Liaisons listed below for guidance.

State & Local Community Resources

This list of resources will help you find resources specific to your area.  It is a helpful tool and is available to help guide the support of families and students.  If you have questions specific to your area or require further help, please reach out to your campus or district contact.  Making sure you are taken care of is very important to us.

State Resources

Homeless Shelter Directory - Directory of Homeless Shelters in Texas 

Rent Assistance - Find rent assistance in Texas

FindHelp - Findhelp has resources for food pantries and meal programs near you. You can also find housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.

211.ORG - Calling 211 allows you to speak with a local expert and find local resources anywhere in the United States.  Resource information includes crisis support, financial support, mental and physical health resources, and countless other resources.  This resource is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is completely confidential.  The button shown below will take you to the 211 website where you can see all of the services available.  This resource is appropriate for use by school personnel and families.

Texas Health and Human Services - Programs for individuals who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless 

Additional Resources are listed below to support your family:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters

• The Salvation Army

• Texas Homeless Coalition

• School House Connection