Who is considered eligible for homeless assistance and services through the McKinney-Vento Act?

If you lost your housing and now live in one of the following living situations, your child might be able to receive help through a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act:

•          A shelter

•          Motel

•          Vehicle

•          Camping ground

•          Temporary trailer

•          On the street

•          Doubled-up with family or friends

•          Or in another type of temporary or inadequate housing

If you have a student/child who may qualify for homeless assistance and services, or if you would like more information, please contact our homeless liaison:

Brad Smedley

Superintendent/Principal

Wilson Creek School District

Phone: 509-345-2541

Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

McKinney-Vento Act

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act was authorized by Congress in December 2001, as part of the No Child Left Behind legislation. The purpose of the McKinney-Vento Act is to remove barriers to education for homeless and transitional students, and provide educational support and stability.

Education Rights of Children/Youth Who Qualify for Homeless Assistance and Services

Under the McKinney-Vento Act, children in homeless situations have the right to:

•         Go to school, no matter where they live or how long they have lived there.

•         Attend either the local school or the school of origin (the school the child attended when
      he/she was permanently
      housed, or the school in which the child was last enrolled).

•         Receive transportation assistance, if needed.

•         Enroll in school immediately.

•         Eligibility for free food services.

•         Have access to the same programs and services that are available to all other students,
      including transportation and supplemental educational services.

•         Attend school with children not experiencing homelessness; a school can not
      segregate a student because he or she is homeless.

Resources

The National Center for Homeless Education can explain your child’s school rights and tell you how to contact the local liaison in your school district. The local liaison can help enroll your child in school and make sure that your child receives the help that he/she needs.

            Toll-free Helpline: 800-308-2145 or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

            www.serve.org/nche