McKinney-Vento Homeless Education
About the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1986 is a federal law that provides money for homeless shelter programs. "Homeless" children are also entitled to the protections of the McKinney-Vento Act.
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:
Washington State's Role The McKinney-Vento Act is a conditional funding act—the federal government gives grants to states and, in return, the grantee states are bound by the terms of the act. If a state chooses not to accept federal funds for these purposes, it does not have to implement the act.
To implement the McKinney-Vento Act, the state must designate a statewide homeless coordinator to review policies and create procedures, including dispute resolution procedures, to ensure that homeless children are able to attend school.
School Districts' Responsibilities Local school districts must appoint Liaison contacts to ensure that school staff are aware of these rights, to provide public notice to homeless families (at shelters and at school) and to facilitate access to school and transportation Queets Clearwater Districts' Liaison: Homeless Education Contact for Queets Clearwater District is Kathy Lorton. She can be reached at 360.962.2395or [email protected].
Important Links:
Family Health Centers Harbor Medical Group 360.537.6496
Harbor City Ministries 360.532.3355
Quinault Indian Nation 360.276.8215
Grays Harbor County Housing Authority 360.532.0570
State Homeless Liaison 360-725-6505
The McKinney-Vento Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence." The act provides examples of children who would fall under this definition:
- Children sharing housing due to economic hardship, loss of housing or similar reason;
- Children living in "motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations"
- Children living in "emergency or transitional shelters"
- Children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc)
- Children living in "cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations…"
- Migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations
Washington State's Role The McKinney-Vento Act is a conditional funding act—the federal government gives grants to states and, in return, the grantee states are bound by the terms of the act. If a state chooses not to accept federal funds for these purposes, it does not have to implement the act.
To implement the McKinney-Vento Act, the state must designate a statewide homeless coordinator to review policies and create procedures, including dispute resolution procedures, to ensure that homeless children are able to attend school.
School Districts' Responsibilities Local school districts must appoint Liaison contacts to ensure that school staff are aware of these rights, to provide public notice to homeless families (at shelters and at school) and to facilitate access to school and transportation Queets Clearwater Districts' Liaison: Homeless Education Contact for Queets Clearwater District is Kathy Lorton. She can be reached at 360.962.2395or [email protected].
Important Links:
- Student Housing Questionnaire (English)
- Student Housing Questionnaire (Español)
- McKinney-Vento Information for Parents
- McKinney-Vento Intake Form 2019
- Parent/Student Rights - Transition
Family Health Centers Harbor Medical Group 360.537.6496
Harbor City Ministries 360.532.3355
Quinault Indian Nation 360.276.8215
Grays Harbor County Housing Authority 360.532.0570
State Homeless Liaison 360-725-6505