McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Act

McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and education stability for homeless children and youth.  The term “homeless children and youth” means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason.  Students who are homeless are not required to provide proof of residency before enrolling. 

Benefits to Students

• Coordinate services between students, families and community agencies
• Provide transportation for eligible students to school of origin
• Provide free lunch
• Provide basic school supplies
• Provide uniform and non-uniform clothing through Common Threads

 Homeless Liaison

Every school district, must designate an appropriate staff person as a liaison for students in homeless situations.  Liaisons must ensure that:

• Children and youth in homeless situations are identified by school personnel and through coordination activities with other entities and agencies.
• Students enroll in, and have full and equal opportunity to succeed in  school
• Families, children, and youth receive educational services for which they are eligible, including Head Start, Even Start, and pre-school programs, and referrals to health, mental health, dental, and other appropriate services.
• Parents or guardians are informed of educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children.
• Public notice of the educational rights of students in homeless situations is disseminated where children and youth receive services under the Act.
• Enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with the Enrollment Disputes section of the McKinney-Vento Act.
• Parents and guardians and unaccompanied youth are fully informed of all transportation services, including to the school of origin, and are assisted in accessing transportation services.
• Liaisons must assist children and youth who do not have immunizations or immunization or medical records to obtain necessary immunizations or immunization or medical records.
• Liaisons must help unaccompanied youth choose and enroll in a school, after considering the youths' wishes, and provide youth with notice of their right to appeal an enrollment decision that is not their choice.
• Liaisons must ensure that unaccompanied youth are immediately enrolled in school pending resolution of disputes that might arise over school enrollment or placement.

Community Resources

Common Threads
Clothing, shoes, backpacks, school supplies
832-223-0342

Covenant House Texas
Shelter, food, clothing, health care for runaways
713-523-2231

Access Health
Provides comprehensive primary health care for all ages. Clinical care, on-site lab and pharmacy, WIC nutrition program and dental care
281-342-0529

Fort Bend Family Promise
Assist homeless families and families in crisis
281-403-3923

Fort Bend Social Services
Financial emergency assistance with pharmaceutical, utility, low income deposit, rent and food
281-403-8050

Helping Hands/Richmond
Financial assistance with food and utilities
281-232-4904

Katy Christian Ministries
Financial assistance with rent, utilities, prescriptions, clothes, food pantry
281-391-4357

Salvation Army
Emergency assistance for rent, water and food
281-207-2500

Second Mile Ministry
Basic needs assistance, extended hours on Tues. and Thurs. 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays
281-261-9199

Contact
If you have questions about the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, please contact our office.

Dr. Marva O’Neal
Director of Federal Programs/Homeless Liaison
832-223-0430
[email protected]

Jennifer D. Inabnit-Serna
McKinney-Vento Student Support Specialist
832-223-0356
[email protected]