Homeless Youth Services
The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act
The McKinney-Vento Assistance Act defines homeless children and youth as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes children and youth who:
- are doubled up: temporarily sharing housing with another family due to loss of housing or economic hardship;
- live temporarily with an adult that is not the parent/guardian due to loss of housing;
- live in an abandoned building, parked car, or substandard housing unfit for human habitation;
- live on their own without a parent/guardian (runaway or unaccompanied youth);
- live in a motel or hotel due to loss of housing or economic hardship;
- live in emergency or transitional shelters;
- are migratory children that qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.
Student Rights:
- Schools must immediately enroll homeless student even if they lack transcripts, required documents, or immunization records.
- Homeless students can continue to attend their last school of enrollment (school of origin) or enroll in the school in the ares where the family is temporarily residing.
- If the family gains permanent housing, the student can remain at the current school and receive services for the duration of that academic year.
- Students receive transportation to the school they attend before becoming homeless, if possible.
- Receive the same programs and services that are provided to all other children
- Automatically qualify for free breakfast and lunch
- Receive information and referrals to health, mental health, dental and other services.
In accordance with the Federal McKinney-Vento Assistance Act, Central Union High School District offers families in transition a stable educational experience for their children. To determine if your child is eligible for these services, please complete the Student Residency Questionnaire and return it to the Administration Office at your child's school.
If you have any questions regarding services for homeless children and youth within Central Union High School District, please contact our Homeless Liaison.