The McKinney-Vento Act aims to ensure that children and youth experiencing homelessness have immediate access to educational opportunities. This act recognizes the unique challenges faced by homeless students and mandates local educational agencies to provide supports and resources to remove barriers to education. In Monterey County, the Act is a critical component of our commitment to educational equity for all students.
Who Qualifies? Children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence are considered homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act. This includes:
Homeless students are entitled to certain rights under the McKinney-Vento Act:
Local Educational Agency Contact:
Support Available Through Schools and the Soledad Family Resource Center:
For further support, the following local resources are available to assist homeless families and youth:
Watch this short video to learn more about the McKinney-Vento Act
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law that ensures immediate enrollment and educational stability for homeless children and youth. The Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence."
Under the Act, children and youth might be considered homeless if they:
Homeless children and youth have the right to:
Under the McKinney-Vento Act, schools must enroll homeless children and youth immediately, even if they do not have a permanent address or documents typically required for enrollment. Contact the school's McKinney-Vento liaison for assistance with the enrollment process.
If maintaining your child in their school of origin is in their best interest, you have the right to request transportation to and from the school of origin. This transportation must be provided at no cost to you.
Every school district is required to have a designated McKinney-Vento liaison to assist homeless families and children. You should contact your school district's McKinney-Vento liaison. If issues cannot be resolved at the school or district level, you may also contact your state's Department of Education for further assistance.
Yes, many communities offer additional resources such as food banks, health services, and shelter information. Local schools and McKinney-Vento liaisons often have lists of local resources available for families experiencing homelessness.
Title 1 Funds: How can they be used to support homeless youth and families?
All public schools and districts receiving federal funds must ensure that services are provided to children and youth who are experiencing homelessness. To assist with these services, the law requires that school districts set aside Title I funds, as necessary, to provide services comparable to those that are provided to children in Title I, Part A funded schools. These funds can also support educationally related services to children in shelters and other locations where homeless children may live. The services provided with these funds should support homeless students to succeed in school and to meet the academic achievement standards.
Comparable services may not necessarily mean the same services; therefore, these funds may also be used to provide services that are not ordinarily provided to other Title I students.
If a district has students who meet the definition of homelessness according to McKinney-Vento, listed below are some strategies for using Title I Homeless Set-Aside funds. These funds can assist homeless students in Title I and Non-Title I schools.
Allowable Uses of Title I- Set Aside Fund
Tutoring services (remedial or accelerated instruction), especially in shelters or other locations where homeless students live
Before-school/after-school, and/or summer programs
Services to enable students to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school
Personal school supplies such as backpacks and notebooks
Items of clothing to meet a school’s dress or uniform requirements
Shoes necessary to participate in physical education classes
Student fees necessary to participate general education program
Graduation cap and gown / graduation fees
Birth certificates necessary to enroll in school
Counseling services / domestic violence counseling services
Parental involvement specifically oriented to reaching out to parents of homeless students
Costs for attaining a GED for parents participating in Head Start or Early Start
Homeless awareness activities
Research-based programs that benefit highly mobile students
Fees for SAT/ACT testing if not waived by college or university
Cost of GED for an unaccompanied homeless youth
Health-related services may be allowed if funds are not reasonably available from public or private sources (as a last resort, health, nutrition, other services such as eyeglasses and hearing aids, immunizations, and dental needs).
Transportation of homeless students to & from their school of origin
Not Allowable Uses of Title I Set Aside Funds
Physicals for sports participation
Clothing for family members
Rent/motel/hotel (any housing expense)
Prom dresses/tuxedos
Yearbooks fee