McKinney-Vento/Resources, Education, and Advocacy for Children Experiencing Homelessness (The REACH Project)
McKinney-Vento Defined
Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including 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 adequate accommodations
are living in emergency or transitional shelters
are abandoned in hospitals
have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodation for human beings
are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings
migratory children living in the circumstances previously described
Homeless Children and Youth are guaranteed the following:
The right to immediate enrollment in school, even if lacking paperwork normally required for enrollment.
The right to attend school in his/her school of origin (if this is requested by the parent and is feasible) or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing.
Automatic eligibility for any nutrition services available at the school.
The right to receive transportation to his/her school of origin, if this is requested by the parent and is feasible.
The right to services comparable to those received by housed schoolmates, including transportation and supplemental educational services.
The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness. Segregation based on a student's status as homeless is strictly prohibited.
The posting of homeless students' rights in all schools and other places around the community.
For more information on McKinney-Vento eligibility and resources, view this document.
