Homeless Student Support

McKinney-Vento Program

The McKinney-Vento Act is federal legislation that has been in effect since 1987 to support children and youth experiencing homelessness. The McKinney-Vento Act defines children and youth who are homeless as 'individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.' The act ensures homeless children and youth enroll and succeed in school.

Students living in any of the following situations may be entitled to additional support:

• Hotels, motels, cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations.
• Transitional housing, emergency or domestic violence shelters.
• Doubled up with other families or relatives due to loss of housing or affordable housing.
• Without the support or in the physical custody of parents/guardians.

Students living in homeless situations have the right to: 

• Continue at the school they attended (referred to as the school of origin) before they became homeless, or the school in which they were last enrolled.
• Get help with school enrollment, even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence.
• Get transportation to and from their school of origin.
• Free school meals.
• Get help with school fees including field trips, physical education fees, lab fees and other school fees.
• Get help obtaining extra academic supports and school supplies.
• Get help connecting to social service agencies in the community.

Enrollment Rights & Services 

To access services, please speak with the school counselor or McKinney-Vento building designee. If they are unavailable, please contact the McKinney-Vento Family Support Liaison Antonio Lewis at 206-631-3256. You may also fill out the student housing questionnaire and return to your student's school.