If your family lives in any of the following situations:
- In a shelter, motel, vehicle or campground
- On the street
- In an abandoned building, a home without water or electricity, or other inadequate space
- Doubled up with friends or relatives because you can’t find or afford your own place
Then your children have certain rights and protections under the McKinney-Vento Assistance Act.
Your children have the right to:
- Go to school, no matter where you live or how long you have been there
- Continue in the school they started in before you became homeless if that is your choice and in the best interest of your child
- Be transported to the school they started in before you became homeless or last attended if you request such transportation
- Attend and participate in all school programs with students who are not homeless
- Enroll in school without giving a permanent address. Schools cannot require proof of residency or delay enrollment
- Enroll and attend classes while the school arranges for transfer of records or other documents needed for enrollment
- Enroll and attend classes even while you and the school are involved in a dispute over enrollment
- Receive the same special programs and services provided to all other children enrolled in the school
- Receive transportation to school and to school programs
When you move, you should:
- Contact the school’s local homeless education contact (see phone number below) for help in enrolling your child in a new school or to remain in the current or previous school.
- Ask the local homeless education contact for assistance with clothing and supplies, if needed.
- Contact the school and provide any information you think would help the teachers work with your child to adjust to new circumstances. If you have lost your home due to a hardship to you or your family and are now living in temporary or inadequate housing (a shelter, motel, camper, on the street, doubled-up with relatives or friends or in any other type of inadequate housing), your child may be able to receive help through a federal law called the McKinney-Vento Act.
Local contact: Evelyn See - (520) 822-9418
State coordinator: Rita Rodriguez - (602) 542-4963
If you need further assistance, call the National Center for Homeless Education at (800) 308-2145 or email them.