Federal Programs

Title IX, Part A McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento) is authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. McKinney-Vento ensures that students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence due to loss of housing due to economic hardship or a similar reason are provided a free, public education. McKinney-Vento Act ensures the educational rights and protection for children and youth experiencing homelessness and includes:

• The right to attend school and fully participate in school activities in the school of origin, or in the school in the attendance area where the family or youth is currently residing  
• The right to immediate enrollment in school even without giving a permanent address
• The right to receive transportation to and from the school of origin/zoned school for the current academic school year
• The right to services comparable to those received by students who are not homeless 
• The right to attend school along with children not experiencing homelessness

Source SCDE

Florence 1 Schools McKinney-Vento Liaison 

A McKinney-Vento liaison is a designated staff member within a school district responsible for identifying, enrolling, and supporting students experiencing homelessness, as well as unaccompanied homeless youth, ensuring they have access to the same educational opportunities as other students, and connecting them with community services like housing, healthcare, and food assistance, all in accordance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act; essentially acting as a dedicated advocate for homeless students within the school system. 

Key responsibilities of a McKinney-Vento liaison include:

Identifying homeless students:
Actively reaching out to communities and schools to identify children and youth experiencing homelessness through outreach and collaboration with other agencies. 

Enrollment support:
Assisting homeless students with the enrollment process, including necessary paperwork and school placement, ensuring immediate access to education and transportation. 

Advocating for student needs:
Communicating with school staff, parents, and community partners to address the unique challenges homeless students face, including transportation, attendance issues, and access to necessary supplies. 

Connecting with services:
Referring homeless students and their families to relevant community resources like shelters, food banks, healthcare providers, and mental health services. 

Dispute resolution:
Resolving any disagreements regarding student eligibility or school placement related to homelessness. 

Parent engagement:
Informing parents or guardians of homeless students about their educational rights and opportunities to participate in their child's education. 

Professional Development:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Arranging professional development for district staff.

For more information visit the School House Connection - Local Educational Agency Liaison Duties Under the McKinney-Vento Act

How Can I Help My Child? 

What can I do to help my child in school? 

• Make sure your child goes to school every day and arrives rested and fed. 
• Provide a quiet place for your child to do homework; set aside time daily to help your child with homework.
• Watch your child’s health needs and take care of any problems early. 
• Ask your child what they are learning in school. Have them explain it to you. If you show interest in your child’s education, they will know that it’s important. 
• Read to your child daily. For older children, set aside time each day for you and your child to read together silently. Talk about what you read. 
• Praise your child for what they do well, like getting a good grade or playing on a school sports team.

What You Need to Know to Help Your Child In School

• Parent/Caregiver Brochure (English)

• Parent/Caregiver Brochure (Spanish)

College, Scholarship & Financial Aid Resources for McKinney-Vento Students

• Federal Student Aid

• Federal Student Aid Handbook

• School House Connection Scholarship Program 

• College Board

Local Resources  & Community Partners

• United Way 

• SCParents.org

• SCParents.org Resource Directory 

• Community Resources  (SCDE links to  resources/partners like the United Way/ Department of Social Services, etc.)

Informational Resources 

• SCDE Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title IX, Part A McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

• SCDE McKinney-Vento Frequently Asked Questions

• National Center for Homeless Education

What are the signs that a child or youth may be homeless?

 Signs of homelessness may include:

• A history of attending many schools

• Erratic class attendance and tardiness

• Mention of staying with grandparents or other relatives or in a motel

• Hunger and the hoarding of food

• Hostility and anger

• Needy or withdrawn behavior

• Poor hygiene and grooming

• Lack of preparation for class

• Inadequate clothing or clothing inappropriate for the weather

• Sleeping in class

How is school placement determined? 

School placement will be determined by the best interest of the student. The options will be to continue the student’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness, or enroll the student in a school in the attendance area in which the homeless student is actually living on the same basis as other students. 

In what school can a McKinney-Vento eligible child or youth enroll?

• School of origin means the school or preschool the student attended when they had permanent housing or the school or preschool in which they were last enrolled. The school of origin shall include the designated receiving school at the next grade level for all feeder schools.

OR

• The Local School is the school or preschool that is served by the address where temporary housing is located.

Any other school besides the School of Origin or the Local School requested is considered an Out of Area Request.  If the parent/guardian, applies for and is granted permission to attend an Out of Area school or preschool, transportation for the Out of Area school or preschool will not be provided. 

What is the School of Origin and Zoned School? 

• School of origin means the school or preschool the student attended when they had permanent housing or the school in which they are currently or were last enrolled. 

OR

• The Zoned School is the school that is served by the address where temporary housing is located.

What happens when a McKinney-Vento eligible family obtains permanent housing during the school year?

After a child or youth is identified as eligible for McKinney-Vento, the child or youth will remain under McKinney-Vento effective for the entire school year even if the family or unaccompanied youth obtains permanent housing that same school year.  

How long does McKinney-Vento identification last? 

McKinney-Vento services are provided for the duration of a school year and do not automatically renew.

Can unaccompanied youth enroll without a guardian? 

Children or youth experiencing homelessness and enrolling in a school may not be living with their parents or legal guardians. Frequently, children in families experiencing homelessness are sent to live temporarily with friends or relatives. In other situations, youth have been forced to leave home due to abusive environments or are on their own for other reasons.

If a student may be or is eligible for McKinney-Vento services, no proof of guardianship is required.  Lack of a legal guardian or guardianship documents cannot delay or prevent the enrollment of an unaccompanied youth. 42 U.S.C. §§11432(g)(3)(C), (g)(1)(H)(iv), (g)(1)(F)(ii).
Therefore, schools may not condition school enrollment upon the receipt of proof of legal guardianship by caregivers of homeless, unaccompanied youth; nor may they require caregivers to become legal guardians within a certain period of time, after the child enrolls in school. The decision to seek legal guardianship is a serious decision that affects significantly the legal rights of the parent and caregiver well beyond the education arena. In addition, it is important to note that the absence of an available caregiver must not impede enrollment. Unaccompanied, homeless youth who are on their own completely must be enrolled in school immediately.